VGRS retrofit, rebuild, or replace? (1 Viewer)

[BeechCruiser]

Hello all,

I've been hanging around here for a long time, and have never needed to actually ask a question. FAQ's and searches have satisfied all my questions! Thank You!

I have recently acquired a 2006 LX 470 with 133,000 miles. One owner, clean interior, and just a touch of fuzz in all the right places underneath..

The truck is equipped with VGRS, an inline steering component that changes the ratio of steering wheel input to actual wheel movement depending on speed.

I don't have any fault codes or VGRS light on dash, but the component itself, which is inline with the steering intermediate shaft, seems to be failing mechanically. It can be moved by hand laterally a couple of inches, and has the truck wandering all over when attempting to drive straight.

This part retails for roughly $3500. Part Number : 4522060202
Not necessarily in my budget..

i have few questions:

- is there a rebuild kit available

- Can the VGRS be removed, and replaced with standard Intermediate shaft? Including upper and lower U joints, and boots on either side of firewall? Are the dimensions the same?

- Will this affect any other system? ABS, traction control, Etc..

- Any thoughts on this contraption?,,,


Thanks



JJ

 

[abuck99]

Sub'd

Beech

Have you read through this thread? There was a TSB on certain affected models, snapring issue. Was that performed? Some good discussion that might point to a fix.

VGRS light

 

[nnnnnate]

I've had issues with my VGRS and even went as far as replacing the VGRS ECU with one out of a wrecked LX. After a few months with the replacement ECU my issues returned but it sounds like what you are seeing is different. My issues revolved around the steering wheel being out of alignment and after re-calibration returning back to off center. The troubleshooting diagnostics for my LX point to a high voltage reading on the ECU and the only fix is replacement. I'm guessing since I had two ECUs fail that I have a wire shorting out or something like that which has blown something on the ECU. I have no evidence to back this up though but won't pay for another ECU.

The system fails to "off." If you unplug the connectors from the ECU it should lock up the steering shaft system essentially turning itself into a non variable gear steering shaft. I believe it is possible to replace the shaft with a standard system from a LC and had at one point intended to do this. I spent a bunch of time looking over part diagrams to sort out which part numbers were needed and to try and figure out what it was going to cost me. I was just looking for my notes on this but am not able to find them. I lost interest though after manually adjusting the steering wheel alignment and unplugging the ECU. I currently have the VGRS dash light illuminated which is annoying but I've been able to ignore it for the last three or four months. Other systems such as ABS and traction control have not been affected as far as I'm aware.

As far as a rebuild kit or anything like that, I'm not aware of one. There really aren't many failures that have been reported online.

 

[BeechCruiser]

Thanks abuck,

I read that thread a couple of weeks ago, and just looked back through it.
I'm not sure if the snap ring recall was performed, but when I bought the truck about a month ago, the carfax showed no open recalls, and the truck was dealer serviced most of its life. The snap ring appears to be intact.

My unit seems to be functioning from an ECU standpoint, and I have unplugged it and can tell a difference in steering input.

The issue seems to be mechanical failure of something internal. I don't have another to compare to, and can't find any parts breakdown of the VGRS itself. I imagine that the steering shaft in general from the u joint inside the truck to the u joint at the steering box would be relatively rigid. However, I can grab the intermediate shaft in the engine compartment and move it up and down and sideways a couple of inches. Does this seem normal?

In the VGRS Light thread, LandcruiserPhil, and someone else mention replacing VGRS with components from non VGRS and just unplugging the light. I haven't found anyone that has actually done this, and wonder if it could be a simple swap of components from main shaft to steering box?

I like the idea of the VGRS, but unless it could be rebuilt cheap, I don't see the cost benefit for replacing something that helps me get into a parking space easier...



Thanks nnnnnate,

I agree, not much info out there.
If you happen to find those notes...
Do you know if the firewall boots will bolt up with out any problem? I'd like to imagine that the firewall would be same between trucks.

JJ

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I looked into replacing the VGRS coupler with non off of a LC when I thought mine was bad. Looked like a straight forward swap although I never did once I figured out the repair via Tech Stream.

If you have not tried looking at your issue via Tech Stream I would highly recommend it prior to replacing anything.

 

[PADDO]

Have a look at the NHTSA site and search by VIN to see if the VGRS recall was applicable/completed. Added a copy of the Lexus tech instructions which details applicable VINs too. Here's a bit of VGRS light reading, combined with the FSMs and Techstream you can do a lot. The movement of the intermediate shaft as described sounds abnormal, mine isn't as you describe.

 

[BeechCruiser]

Thanks guys!

Tech stream ordered.
Recall check comes back with 0 open recalls, and the VGRS description pdf is exactly what I needed to help understand the internals.

I'll keep diagnosing and get the techstream going.

 

[Grego]

I have replaced my VGRS on my 05 with non-VGRS components. I used the upper and lower intermediate shafts from an 02 land cruiser. Direct swap. Disconnected the VGRS computer and disabled the warning light. Much cheaper and simpler than the original system. Probably more durable, too.

 

[LX470Beast]

I have replaced my VGRS on my 05 with non-VGRS components. I used the upper and lower intermediate shafts from an 02 land cruiser. Direct swap. Disconnected the VGRS computer and disabled the warning light. Much cheaper and simpler than the original system. Probably more durable, too.

How did u disabled the light?

 

[Flipped Bezel]

Bump for @namsag...

 

[artwerks]

Thanks for the information here.

I've been having an issue with my VGRS for years. Last year I replaced the rack with an LX470 rack (not cheap). The issues with my VGRS returned -- steering wheel tilts about 45 degrees to the left, but alignment stays straight. The info here encouraged me to disconnect the plug that comes from the VGRS system under the dash. This was so easy. Doing so returned my steering wheel to straight (almost) and made the steering effort much easier. Much happier with this even though the VGRS light displays on the dash. I'll get rid of this light at some point just like I did my AHC light when I removed that system.

 

[bdruff]

Thanks for the information here.

I've been having an issue with my VGRS for years. Last year I replaced the rack with an LX470 rack (not cheap). The issues with my VGRS returned -- steering wheel tilts about 45 degrees to the left, but alignment stays straight. The info here encouraged me to disconnect the plug that comes from the VGRS system under the dash. This was so easy. Doing so returned my steering wheel to straight (almost) and made the steering effort much easier. Much happier with this even though the VGRS light displays on the dash. I'll get rid of this light at some point just like I did my AHC light when I removed that system.

Do you happen to have a picture of the plug?

 

[Beavau]

Hi ... new member here from Australia
I have a 2005 HDR100R series Sahara. In October 2019 I had the steering rack replaced, and the dash removed to replace 3 servo motors in the aircon system. Recently I adjusted the steering wheel height and position, and later that day the VGRS light appeared and the steering wheel defaulted about 100 degrees to the left.
The Toyota dealer charged me to check and re-calibrate the system and do a wheel alignment, and "hoped" the problem was fixed.
Long story short, it happened again several times over the next 2 weeks, but each time it resolved itself after turning off the engine and restarting. I was told initially that it was the ECU, then not the ECU but the VGRS actuator. They want to replace the steering column as they say that is the only way they can source the part ... at a quote of $6,000aud.
There have been 2 other problems with the dashboard work .... I had to take it back as the GPS aerial had not been connected, then the first time the idle up button was pressed it jammed, and the technician said it was jammed on a wiring harness.
So my question is, what is the likelihood that the harness connecting into the actuator could have been damaged, or caused damage to the actuator when the steering wheel height and position was changed? They say it is a coincidence, but I don't accept that.
And now the VGRS is permanently stuffed since they have been working on it, not intermittent as before.
I see them again in the morning to discuss, so any comments would be greatly appreciated.
ps. I will explore the idea of disconnecting the actuator as has been discussed above.

 

[Velogas]

Can someone tell us where the vgrs ecu/plugs are?

Any pointers on making the VGRS light go off?

Mine is throwing a vgrs actuator lock fail code, have been driving it for months like that, drives fine.

 

[dstewart3ss]

Would be super grateful for any advice from those that have worked through VRGS issues with cheaper fixes than replacing with OEM parts. I was just told by Lexus that my VGRS actuator failed and needs to be replaced (code: C1522)...can you just unplug the VGRS system and get rid of the light?

 

[Tangos]

So my question is, what is the likelihood that the harness connecting into the actuator could have been damaged, or caused damage to the actuator when the steering wheel height and position was changed?

Other threads are saying the VGRS coil cable inside is failing due to the turn action of the steering. One guy has repaired his cable with a soldering iron and tape.

vsc trac/ vsc off/ vgrs lights on

When it rains it pours... with life in general. I have a 05 lx 470 with about 111k on it. I had no issues until driving it home from the hospital (the initial part of the "rain it pours") . In the middle of my drive (sitting in traffic) the vsc trac, vsc off, and vgrs lights came on. I just...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[VegasLX470]

Have a look at the NHTSA site and search by VIN to see if the VGRS recall was applicable/completed. Added a copy of the Lexus tech instructions which details applicable VINs too. Here's a bit of VGRS light reading, combined with the FSMs and Techstream you can do a lot. The movement of the intermediate shaft as described sounds abnormal, mine isn't as you describe.

Can you tell me where yin got the instructions for dismantling the steering column?

is There a resource where I can find out how to do all things 2005 LX-470?

thanks

 

[jamesr84]

Have a look at the NHTSA site and search by VIN to see if the VGRS recall was applicable/completed. Added a copy of the Lexus tech instructions which details applicable VINs too. Here's a bit of VGRS light reading, combined with the FSMs and Techstream you can do a lot. The movement of the intermediate shaft as described sounds abnormal, mine isn't as you describe.

Thanks to these instructions I just solved my own VGRS issues.
for a while I had intermittent problems, where the light would come on when turning to full lock. I replaced a steering stopper that was missing and tried recalibrating my steering with techstream until it finally completely failed and The VGRS light became permanent.
I ended up pulling the steering wheel off and realigning it so it was straight and left it for a few months.
the other day I nearly had an accident where the car slid out on a greasy road, so I’m guessing when VGRS doesn’t work, neither does VSC. I managed to find a guy that had wrecked a car with VGRS and bought the Actuator for only AU$250, and following these instructions managed to solve my problem!
So happy days, just glad to have the car working as it should.

 

[ninja23313]

I have replaced my VGRS on my 05 with non-VGRS components. I used the upper and lower intermediate shafts from an 02 land cruiser. Direct swap. Disconnected the VGRS computer and disabled the warning light. Much cheaper and simpler than the original system. Probably more durable, too.

Just need the lower and upper no boot how to disconnect vgrs and disable the warning light