I’m having a minor, low pitch rumble vibration upon accelerating from a stop, noticeable above 10mph and smoothes out and fades over 20. Highway speeds no vibration is seen. Does not seem RPM related, but speed related. No noise is heard besides some interior plastic rattling in the back due to the subtle vibes, no thumps or noises when listening outside of the car.
The vehicle is a 2009 RX350 AWD with 145k miles.
It is subtle and if you accelerate fast enough the shimmy is barely noticeable, but after a lot of stop and go traffic the driver will pick up on it. No vibration in steering wheel, seems to be emanating from the central ass-end.
Does not feel like typical out of balance tires, and rotating the tires myself changed nothing. it only presents itself at low speed. I’ve visually inspected the rear axels, rear diff trans and all seals, everything looks clean and solid. No leaks or seepage. Rubber boots are all intact and pliable, no rips or grease leaks. The brakes in the rear are not seized, the parking brake is not stuck, and the rotors were replaced about 8k miles ago, pads are new. The vibration does not occur when braking even at the 10-20mph range for the issue, only on acceleration.
Driveshaft is surface rusty but ‘looks’ good, no play when I have it jacked up, but have not pulled it yet to look at everything. I suspect the driveshaft has been removed and serviced in the past, the ujoints and rubber on the center support look newer, (maybe a DIY from some time ago) perhaps it was put back on at the wrong orientation causing imbalance? The weights are still intact on the driveline. I will probably pull it soon to thoroughly inspect for seized joints and check the orientation marks.
Besides this very subtle vibration at low speed the truck is a great rig, even with the vibes the engine and transmission are operating very smooth and oil/AT fluid are looking clean, I still have to check the rear diff fluid. I just purchased the car a few months ago, prior service records show no driveshaft work but there are paint markings showing someone has been here in the past.
ideas for what I should check next to save time and not pull out the whole rear end? Anyone seen this type of issue before on this truck? Can the RX be driven with the driveshaft removed to rule it out- Or would that just confuse the hell out of the transmission? Lol
thanks in advance,
David M.
massachusetts
What is the condition of your rear wheel bearings?
I will be checking that very soon and will follow up. However, even if the bearing is not making the usual "howling noise", wouldn't the feedback typically get worse as the bearing spins at highway speed?
Possibly, but the way noises of different frequencies get telegraphed throughout a vehicle can be surprising. Worth checking the bearings just to be on the safe side.
Along with what's been mentioned (rear wheel bearings & diff fluid). The driveshaft is a 3-piece unit, so with the age and mileage, I'd also check the 2 driveshaft center support bearings.
Thanks for your suggestions, if I can't resolve the issue otherwise I will likely pull the driveshaft and do a good lookover of the support bearings, joints, and trans output shaft. I'll follow up if I end up having to go down that route. I'll also take a look at the driveshaft in motion on a lift and see if anything is slopping around.
I had a 2008 Highlander xle, and it had a low grumble under certain conditions that I couldn't identify in the rear. I did find a little play in front support bearing but wasn't enough to go thru the hassle/mess of replacing it.
When was the rear differential oil changed last, if ever? You are probably on to something with your comments on the rear drive shaft. If the ujoints were replaced incorrectly or the shaft itself was reinstalled out of phase, it could be the problem.
I have no record of the fluid being changed nor are there mileage marks on the diff for when/if it was changed. I will be checking and likely changing the fluid tomorrow.
seems to be emanating from the central ass-end.
but speed related.
How old are your tyres? Are you sure they’re not out of round?
Unfortunately, my mechanic has declined to search for a compatible part and perform the repair despite the driveshaft being in otherwise serviceable condition (Their words- the joint is the only issue). All I could find that looks decent are clip-converted replacements, and I assume these being staked joints it would be near impossible to DIY (thanks Toyota).
Welcome to 21st-century manufacturer cost-cutting. Most of them have been doing this. In the old days you could replace driveshaft u-joints cheaply and easily. Not any more. Driveshafts with staked joints are cheaper for the manufacturer to build and an expensive nightmare for the consumer when the joints wear out. (In comparison a replacement driveshaft u-joint for my '99 Cherokee costs $10-$15 and can easily be replaced by an owner handy with tools, or would not take much shop time if a mechanic did the work.)
From what I've seen even most custom driveshaft shops will refuse to touch those stupid things. I don't know who is installing the clip conversion kits, it would require machining the driveshaft yokes to accept the clips.
Thanks for the info. Local shops have said the retaining clip conversion is a time bomb waiting to happen anyway, no thanks on the front joint.
Either I can suck up over $1k for a non-serviceable factory replacement, or I can buy a USA made Dorman serviceable driveshaft for ~$750, that way I will never have this headache again. What do you think of something like this?
https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-99323-946-164.aspx
As Scotty would probably advise, I will definitely not be putting a cheap Amazon shaft in the otherwise mint Lexus.
I'd be comfortable doing the install myself now that I know it can't be rebuilt, a new unit is easy enough to put in (every DIYers last words). The new tires even give me just enough clearance to do it all without jacking it up.
In my experience, factory equipment is always the best replacement, but in this case, I really question Toyota's decision to design this terrible part for so many of their otherwise solid SUVs.
Hard to say on the Dorman part. I know Scotty has said several times that likes that brand. I don't know anyone who has used their driveshafts though and a quick search doesn't pick up any reviews for that part.
The tires were replaced balanced and aligned. The front ujoint lived out its usefulness and was causing the vibration. It looks like these joints are not serviceable by toyota/lexus. Does anyone have a compatible part for this vehicle (VIN: 2T2HK31U89C102029), preferably OE or OEM?
The rest of the shaft and center bearing are in working order, I do not plan to replace the entire shaft at over $1,200. Unfortunately, my mechanic has declined to search for a compatible part and perform the repair despite the driveshaft being in otherwise serviceable condition (Their words- the joint is the only issue). All I could find that looks decent are clip-converted replacements, and I assume these being staked joints it would be near impossible to DIY (thanks Toyota).
http://www.motormasterpowersports.com/atv-utv/staked-in-u-joint-430-10