Steering wheel shakes going over potholes, is this normal?

[TeCKis300]

For the accumulators, you mean the globes, right?

Accumulator is probably the technical term

Yup.

Numerous resellers on Ebay and cheaper than I remember. Over 29k transactions and 99% rating from this seller

Toyota LX570 URJ200 Suspension Accumulator Set SET | 49141-60020 49151-60020 | Genuine OEM

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TOYOTA SUSPENSION ACCUMULATOR SET for LX570, URJ200, 49141-60020 49151-60020* at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Barry Dingle]

Doubt this has anything to do with AHC, just a bad design. My 2016 LC does the same thing, after a fresh dealer alignment.

 

[Harri051]

It's hard to diagnose from afar. Tires can have an effect on this even as the tires you got are largely correct. It could be alignment but the way it shakes suggest it's compliance (suspension and tires) related. Unless they got the alignment so wrong. Factory spec is pretty flexible on camber.

When it shakes, does it feel like more than just steering feedback? Do you feel like stability is effected and the whole car is hopping?

Does AVS damper adjustment make any difference? What position are you in normally? Does changing it to sport or comfort change the symptoms?

Have you ever serviced AHC and changed fluids? I'm more suspicious of lost compliance in the AHC system either due to fluid or a prematurely failed accumulator.

I agree with @Zill that these suspensions are incredibly robust and to damage it would not be something subtle. Bushing wear is not usually an issue until 200k miles even in harsh use.

It’s mostly just the steering wheel. The roads here are really bad, so it’s hard to say if it feels like the whole truck is hoping. As far as Avs (i am assuming that’s the knob the center console?), it does shake more in comfort vs. sport. I had the fluid changed at 93k miles after I realized it had not been done. The dealer rebled the system and gave it back to me after I took it in for the shaking. I’m thinking it’s a prematurely worn globe.

 

[vipergrhd]

It was out of alignment and it did get an alignment at the dealer. The camber was set to zero. It still does it.

Zero camber is not so bad but you want a little negative camber even on a truck suspension, when I use to do alignments I like to give it up to half a degree of camber (negative) and maximize the caster for better handling.

What should I ask for? Are there certain specs it should be at? This is all new to me, and I have not lived in the Dallas area for long, so finding that type of place is going to be a challenge.

I know it's hard to find shops that will do alignments, I would explain to the shop what's happening and maybe they will dial in the adjustments and ask them to test drive it. I had to return on one occasion because the person didn't drive it and didn't fix the drift all he said was it was in the green (Specs.).

 

[Harri051]

Yup.

Numerous resellers on Ebay and cheaper than I remember. Over 29k transactions and 99% rating from this seller

Toyota LX570 URJ200 Suspension Accumulator Set SET | 49141-60020 49151-60020 | Genuine OEM

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TOYOTA SUSPENSION ACCUMULATOR SET for LX570, URJ200, 49141-60020 49151-60020* at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Thanks for that info. I did buy this part off a different eBay seller (14k transactions with 98% rating) for a similar price. I figured this might be the issue and after watching videos, I thought I might try to replace them myself. I have found a great indy mechanic that only works on Lexus vehicles and I will ask him about replacing them if I provide the parts. I will try and find a good alignment spot and try that first.

 

[TeCKis300]

it does shake more in comfort vs. sport

This is another indicator it's the accumulators. It's opposite of intuition as one would expect less impact harshness in comfort.

When the suspension is set to sport/stiff, it will absorb more of the shock load, rather than relying on the accumulators. In comfort, the damper stays more open transferring majority of the shock load to the accumulators. But with bad/worn accumulators, they are bottoming out.

The LX570 should ride buttery and the degree of steering shake in the video would never pass muster as normal for a Lexus. It's not alignment, or at least not likely only alignment.

 

[Harri051]

Update: replaced the globes. It does drive much better and I can tell the difference between comfort and sport now. However, it did not fix the shaking of the steering wheel when hitting larger potholes. If I figure it out, I’ll post another update.

 

[Easttntoy]

I have a 2021 with 30k miles that does the same thing. It was involved in a passenger rear quarter fender bender. Tire shop alignment indicates it’s dead on.

My symptoms are the shaking steering wheel @ bridge expansion joints, swaying over bumps, and it pulls to the left on the hwy.

i don’t know what to do with it. I guess I will start with a dedicated alignment shop to see if it can be tweaked. I’m going to throw it on my lift and inspect. I also have a 17 200 series without ahc, so the steering twitch is definitely not normal

 

[Harri051]

I have a 2021 with 30k miles that does the same thing. It was involved in a passenger rear quarter fender bender. Tire shop alignment indicates it’s dead on.

My symptoms are the shaking steering wheel @ bridge expansion joints, swaying over bumps, and it pulls to the left on the hwy.

i don’t know what to do with it. I guess I will start with a dedicated alignment shop to see if it can be tweaked. I’m going to throw it on my lift and inspect. I also have a 17 200 series without ahc, so the steering twitch is definitely not normal

If you figure it out, please reply and let me/us know. You will be a hero in this forum haha. My suspicion is an issue with either the steering rack or steering column.

 

[GrouchyTech]

If you figure it out, please reply and let me/us know. You will be a hero in this forum haha. My suspicion is an issue with either the steering rack or steering column.

Have you tried a front/rear tire rotation? You could have a bad tire. Any cyclic tire noises that you’ve noticed?

 

[Harri051]

Have you tried a front/rear tire rotation? You could have a bad tire. Any cyclic tire noises that you’ve noticed?

No noise. I’ve had one tire rotation. I will have another in January.

 

[sc470]

Op, any updates?

 

[isthatalexus]

Whatever you do, do not look up "Toyota/Lexus Steering Column Rattle" on the internet. I'm in a poverty edition 2008 with no VGRSS even, and the steering wheel jiggle-clatter while hitting road irregularities is a constant.

10 minutes later...
After I wrote this, I did look this up (again), and actually found something interesting. It's not from an LC, but I'm going down this rabbit hole, once more.

 

[gaijin]

Whatever you do, do not look up "Toyota/Lexus Steering Column Rattle" on the internet. I'm in a poverty edition 2008 with no VGRSS even, and the steering wheel jiggle-clatter while hitting road irregularities is a constant.

10 minutes later...
After I wrote this, I did look this up (again), and actually found something interesting. It's not from an LC, but I'm going down this rabbit hole, once more.

The part discussed in the video does not fit any year Land Cruiser. Here is a list of vehicles it does fit:

Jst FYI.

HTH

 

[sc470]

The part discussed in the video does not fit any year Land Cruiser. Here is a list of vehicles it does fit:

View attachment 4068572

Jst FYI.

HTH

The baggie in the video says electric power steering on it. So it won't work on hydraulic systems. I took my steering column apart this past weekend, and it seems solid. I found some info about Toyota power steering pump valving not being optimal and not building pressure at the right time, leading to steering wheel wobbling over bumps. Who knows...

 

[isthatalexus]

The baggie in the video says electric power steering on it. So it won't work on hydraulic systems. I took my steering column apart this past weekend, and it seems solid. I found some info about Toyota power steering pump valving not being optimal and not building pressure at the right time, leading to steering wheel wobbling over bumps. Who knows...

Yeah, that became aparent after a while, clearly not the issue for me. But I will check out the pump angle. h/t also @gaijin for popping in. Thank you.

 

[sc470]

Yeah, that became aparent after a while, clearly not the issue for me. But I will check out the pump angle. h/t also @gaijin for popping in. Thank you.

I came across this after reading up on similar issues with 4runners and tacos. Exoensive, though.

4th Gen 4Runner HOWE DA Pump Steering Kit

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS Now available for the 4th Gen 4Runner is a complete DA pump steering solution! Unfortunately, the US company that was manufacturing the TC pumps has stopped production. We are currently not selling the overseas-made versions. Howe has developed a replacement pump, which is...

jdfabrication.com

 

[sc470]

If you figure it out, please reply and let me/us know. You will be a hero in this forum haha. My suspicion is an issue with either the steering rack or steering column.

I have the same exact symptoms in a GX470. I had my loose and leaking steering rack replaced, the problem is still there. I took my steering column apart and it's solid, there is no looseness. The only loose spot I found is where the lower column shaft goes into its bearing: the bearing has some wiggle room in its column housing, but that is clearly by design based on how the column housing and the bearing recess are machined. There are no signs of it being worn out. SonI doubt it has to do with the steering column or the rack. Plus your truck is way newer than mine, so I don't see how it can have worn out parts.

 

[mmm635]

I have a 2021 with 30k miles that does the same thing. It was involved in a passenger rear quarter fender bender. Tire shop alignment indicates it’s dead on.

My symptoms are the shaking steering wheel @ bridge expansion joints, swaying over bumps, and it pulls to the left on the hwy.

i don’t know what to do with it. I guess I will start with a dedicated alignment shop to see if it can be tweaked. I’m going to throw it on my lift and inspect. I also have a 17 200 series without ahc, so the steering twitch is definitely not normal

If you figure it out, please reply and let me/us know. You will be a hero in this forum haha. My suspicion is an issue with either the steering rack or steering column.

After reading through this thread, and as others have mentioned, the chances the shocks were replaced due to failure at 90k is very low. The dealership that took your LX in on trade most likely needed to do an AHC bleed only. By installing the shocks, they introduced allot of air into the AHC system. If they did not bleed it properly (chances are, they did not), then you have been dealing with this issue from the beginning. So, replacing your accumulators introduced more air into the system again and reset the issue.

The AHC fluid is similar to brake fluid in that it is hygroscopic - absorbs water. It needs to be changed out every 2-4 years like brake fluid - this is rarely done at the dealerships as normal maintenance. If it is not changed out properly, the result will be "like" mushy brakes - shocks cannot dampen properly and provide violent/poor feedback, into the rack and up to the steering wheel.

I just replaced the AHC fluid in my '20 LX with 65k and it was black. I ran 2 liters of fluid and it rode much better, but still did not feel right. I replaced the fluid a second time and my LX rides like new. I had similar issues with a very rough ride and porpoising while in sport mode. I am sure your '21 will need new fluid if it has not been replaced yet.

I have replaced the shocks on two LX470's and one LX570, as well as the accumulators. From my experience, in order to get all of the air out of the system after it has been opened, it will not happen in one bleed operation no matter how much fluid you run through. The vehicle will need to be driven around a bit and then will need a second bleed process, driven again, followed by a third bleed. This will allow any trapped air to make its way out of the lowest point of the shocks and towards the accumulators. It is an intricate system of lines and valves where air can easily get trapped.

I would recommend bleeding your AHC system 2-3 times

 

[TeCKis300]

The AHC fluid is similar to brake fluid in that it is hygroscopic - absorbs water. It needs to be changed out every 2-4 years like brake fluid - this is rarely done at the dealerships as normal maintenance. If it is not changed out properly, the result will be "like" mushy brakes - shocks cannot dampen properly and provide violent/poor feedback, into the rack and up to the steering wheel.

Pretty sure this not correct.

AHC fluid is largely mineral oil based, which would be hydrophobic in that it repels water.

Brake fluid is to your point is hygroscopic because it's typical glycol ethers based.