Joggly Ride In My Rx 300se

stringbender · November 16, 2004

Have learnt a lot from this great site. My Rx 300 SE is a month old now and, although I love the car, I find the ride jiggly, joggly and jolty with more vibration than I had expected from a Lexus. It's as if the coil springs are undamped. No one else seems to have made any comments on this and it's drivin' me mad. The tyres are the Bridgestone originals (235/55R18 99V) at the suggested pressures. My dealer has had the car back twice and can find nothing wrong. They allowed me to try out an SE L (which was more like I am used to) but surely you don't have to go for air suspension just to get a wobble free ride. Or do you ? Any ideas anyone ??

T7RY B · November 16, 2004

My RX is 4 years old and drives like a dream. I would say that the ride is one of its best qualities. Have you let somebody else drive it and got thier opinion?

ColinBarber · November 16, 2004

Try lowering the tyre pressure 2 psi to see if that makes a difference.

stringbender · November 17, 2004

My RX is 4 years old and drives like a dream. I would say that the ride is one of its best qualities. Have you let somebody else drive it and got thier opinion?

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My dealer has driven the car but they do not feel anything is other than the way it should be. Has yours got the 215/70 tyres? Mine has the 235/55 which are a lower profile. Honest Jon says to stick with the 215/70 for a bump free ride. Also "telegraph motoring" says the suspension has been beefed up in the MK2 which they say they can find no merit in.

stringbender · November 17, 2004

Try lowering the tyre pressure 2 psi to see if that makes a difference.

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Thanks Colin. I'll try that _ I'll try anything. The "Which" report says that the more air in the tyre the more comfortable the ride (also the same for a stiffer sidewall).

Are my springs and dampers tougher on the mk2 ? Perhaps I need to put some weight on !!

T7RY B · November 17, 2004

Mine has a lower profile than your car. They are 255 X 45 X 18 and still a good ride. I can feel the bumps a bit more than the 55s X 17 but nothing drastic. And on the straight it's just as comfy. Im on Dunlpo SP s now

Wheel/tyre

GlynnB · November 17, 2004

I'm on the 235x55x18 Bridgestone and came to Lexus from an Air suspension Range Rover. I've found the Lexus drive to be superb apart from the speed bump thread I posted last week. Had mine from first day of Mk2 release.

Easylife · November 17, 2004

I drove both before settling on the SE-L. Most reports favour the standard SE suspension over the Air, to be honest I couldn't tell much difference.

You should ask your dealer to lend you another car for a couple of days to see how it compares.

RxMike · November 18, 2004

I've got an SEL therefore air suspension. When the car was delivered to me I thought the ride was a bit harsh and when I checked the tyre pressures after about two weeks of driving, found that the tyres were inflated to 50 psi and not 34 psi as per the handbook. After deflating them to the correct pressue all was well.

I noted at the time that the psi required by the tyre actually matched the BAR reading that they were over-inflated to. I put this down to whoever inflated the tyres incorrectly reading the guage.

Generally lower profile tyres on larger wheels will give a harsher ride as will higher tyre pressures.

Also run flat tyres as fiited to my Mini Cooper S give a really harsh and unforgiving ride - in fact I'd go so far as to say they're crap!

I also test drove the SE at the same time as the SEL and didn't notice any real difference in the ride quality. Alot of the motoring press seem to copy what has already been written about the car at an earlier point in time and can sometimes be totally wrong or biased with their views as a result.

I'll bet the car is fine but I would double check the tyre pressures.

I would also give the vehicle time to bed in - it will no doubt 'quiten down' after a few miles are on it.

Hope this all helps

Mike G.

johnboy · November 18, 2004

having worked in a Lexus/Toyota dealership, the suspension on the new cars is sometimes a little firm but does soften up after a short while.

Its as if everything is still very tight and loosens up with use.

Hope this helps

john

stringbender · November 21, 2004

having worked in a Lexus/Toyota dealership, the suspension on the new cars is sometimes a little firm but does soften up after a short while.
Its as if everything is still very tight and loosens up with use.

Hope this helps

john

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Thanks to everyone who replied to my posting. Dropping the pressures to 30 psi has made no difference. I've just spent a couple of hours in it with a neighbour who said the car magnified every bump in the road. He said the ride was awful with more bounce then Zebedee and could see why I was so upset. I am doubtful that all this will ever settle down but I hope it will as the car is just so lovely - until you have to go anywhere in it! I'm vibrated to bits after about 50 miles and feel really giddy so I'm somewhat dismayed.

Also, was told car could not roll back on a hill - mine does. Also was told car has a stainless steel exhaust system but the RX is the only model in the Lexus book called "Introducing Lexus " that does not mention a S/S system. Is it a S/S one or not? Anyone know ?

ColinBarber · November 21, 2004

I would speak with the service manager of your dealership, go to another dealer or contact Lexus GB as it doesn't sound like your vehicle is normal.

RxMike · November 22, 2004

john

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Thanks to everyone who replied to my posting. Dropping the pressures to 30 psi has made no difference. I've just spent a couple of hours in it with a neighbour who said the car magnified every bump in the road. He said the ride was awful with more bounce then Zebedee and could see why I was so upset. I am doubtful that all this will ever settle down but I hope it will as the car is just so lovely - until you have to go anywhere in it! I'm vibrated to bits after about 50 miles and feel really giddy so I'm somewhat dismayed.

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If the car is amplifying the bumps in the road then the suspension is likely fitted with faulty Gas shocks, as they would appear not to be damping out the springs.

If the car nods up and down alot after every bump then this is certainly the cause.

Maybe the seals on the gas shocks themselves have allowed the fluid/gas to leak away thus only leaving the spring part of the absorber, or that they were never filled correctly at manufacture.

It maybe a faulty batch got to the production line.

I would certainly ask the dealer to swap out all of the gas shocks as they would appear not to be doing any damping which is exactly what they are supposed to do.

A quick check would be try and look at the sliding shaft inside the spring to see if there is any oil residue or slight scoring of the shaft itself. You may also notice a line on the shaft at the end of its max used travel which would possibly point to a leak on the shocks.

Another less likely cause is that none of the wheels have been corectly balanced, if at all. I would have a look inside the rims to see if they have thown the weights or if any balance weights are fitted to any of the wheels.

If anything the vehicle should have a slightly firm ride from new, but if it is 'nodding' over bumps as I have previously mentioned then I would certainly suspects the gas shocks inside the springs themselves - something certainly would not appear to be well.

Take another SE for a test ride aswell so that you can make a direct comparison. Even a demo with 5000 - 10000 miles on it should not be too far away from the ride quality you should expect from your new car.

Hope this helps

Mike G.

johnboy · November 22, 2004

just thought of something

when the cars are delivered to the dealership on a transporter they have rubber blocks fitted in the supension to stop them bouncing around.

its poss they have forgotten to remove them

worth a look

stringbender · November 23, 2004

just thought of something
when the cars are delivered to the dealership on a transporter they have rubber blocks fitted in the supension to stop them bouncing around.

its poss they have forgotten to remove them

worth a look

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Thanks again RxMike, johnboy1, and Colin for your suggestions. Shockers all look OK - no leaks etc. Sounds like I'd be happier if they'd have left the rubber blockers in to stop the springy/bouncy ride !! Think I'll ask for them back !!

Next step is to get all the wheels off and check that they were balanced properly. Will be amazed if they weren't but as I said - will do anything. Cheers guys.

johnboy · December 8, 2004

Did you get this problem sorted ?

stringbender · December 8, 2004

Did you get this problem sorted ?

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I'm afraid not Johnboy1. I did have the wheels checked and all four were clearly out on the local Quick Fit machine and were put right. I'm shocked at having to do this and have written to Lexus to tell them so. I've also written to the supplier at Lexus Swindon but so far they haven't replied. This only made a slight improvement though and I seriously regret buying this car. Oh for my VW Passat SE estate back! I'm sorry I haven't posted but am really down in the mouth about this. I've driven other 4x4's without getting dizzy/giddy and last Sunday a Jeep owner pal had a go in mine and said straight away that he could detect the vibrations as though the shockers were seized (but they're not!). I wish I could put the car on a rolling road to see just what's going on with the wheels or the prop. shaft etc. But to be honest I've had enough and much as I love the car I just want to get rid of it now. Isn't that sad ? I read all the postings about how pleased everybody is with their Lexus cars and wish I could be the same. As I said to Lexus "I just want to be able to drive it - That's all !"

johnboy · December 9, 2004

sorry you are having such a bad time with your car,

im surprised Lexus havent arranged to get a Lexus engineer to look at the car for you.

Is it possible to take the car to another dealer, your local one seems to be dragging there heels a little,

Taking it somewhere else coulld get you a different/second opinion.

Let us know what Lexus say in response to your letter.

john

stringbender · December 9, 2004

Thanks for all your concerns. I'm quite touched. My dealer at Swindon probably thinks I'm a fusspot and has yet to reply to my written complaints. I'm also waiting to hear from Lexus GB. Today I've been to an independent specialist who does specialist tuning etc. He has 17 years experience and detected the vibrations on a ride within seconds and described them as awful, horrendous, atrocious and a serious issue that I had every right to complain about. Strange that the Lexus dealer in Swindon says all is OK. He put the car on a ramp and checked the wheels for ovalling on their shafts as well as run in (shimmying?) The drive shafts were spinning true but he was sure the prop. shaft or UJ's were the cause of the vibrations throughout the car and said I must go and get the prop. shaft checked out at a specialist place in Bristol. Really, should I be having to do all this?? Lexus prides itself on it's custome care but I begin to feel that this is just flag waving. Like me, he thought the car was fabulous but the ride was awful. It's about time Lexus sorted this out for me or gave me my money back.

Lexusjohn · January 11, 2005

Thanks for all your concerns. I'm quite touched. My dealer at Swindon probably thinks I'm a fusspot and has yet to reply to my written complaints. I'm also waiting to hear from Lexus GB. Today I've been to an independent specialist who does specialist tuning etc. He has 17 years experience and detected the vibrations on a ride within seconds and described them as awful, horrendous, atrocious and a serious issue that I had every right to complain about. Strange that the Lexus dealer in Swindon says all is OK. He put the car on a ramp and checked the wheels for ovalling on their shafts as well as run in (shimmying?) The drive shafts were spinning true but he was sure the prop. shaft or UJ's were the cause of the vibrations throughout the car and said I must go and get the prop. shaft checked out at a specialist place in Bristol. Really, should I be having to do all this?? Lexus prides itself on it's custome care but I begin to feel that this is just flag waving. Like me, he thought the car was fabulous but the ride was awful. It's about time Lexus sorted this out for me or gave me my money back.

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Jogglebox, what age is the car?, and have you sorted the problem yet?

stringbender · January 11, 2005

Thanks for all your concerns. I'm quite touched. My dealer at Swindon probably thinks I'm a fusspot and has yet to reply to my written complaints. I'm also waiting to hear from Lexus GB. Today I've been to an independent specialist who does specialist tuning etc. He has 17 years experience and detected the vibrations on a ride within seconds and described them as awful, horrendous, atrocious and a serious issue that I had every right to complain about. Strange that the Lexus dealer in Swindon says all is OK. He put the car on a ramp and checked the wheels for ovalling on their shafts as well as run in (shimmying?) The drive shafts were spinning true but he was sure the prop. shaft or UJ's were the cause of the vibrations throughout the car and said I must go and get the prop. shaft checked out at a specialist place in Bristol. Really, should I be having to do all this?? Lexus prides itself on it's custome care but I begin to feel that this is just flag waving. Like me, he thought the car was fabulous but the ride was awful. It's about time Lexus sorted this out for me or gave me my money back.

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Jogglebox, what age is the car?, and have you sorted the problem yet?

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The car was bought "brand new" last October, the model before the Bluetooth etc.

Lexus have sent their Regional Manager to my house and he arranged for me to have an SE L for a week. The SE L goes back tomorrow I'm sad to say as the difference in ride quality is profound. Almost no vibration present and easily the best car I have ever driven. I have no idea what can be the cause of all the constant vibration in my car making it very unpleasant to to drive. I hope all this can be resolved soon.

Lexusjohn · January 11, 2005

Iv'e been thinking ,I test drove the CX70 volvo deisel recently, gave the same sort of vibrations as you describe, I reported this to them and they said there was nothing wrong with it. I did not buy one but my mate owns a volvo garage in attleborough and he said that a fault he found was the exaust pipe (down pipe front)touched the body when the car was on the move, causing vibrations especially on "B" roads. This was not detectable in the workshops.may help!

jimlit · January 12, 2005

having worked in a Lexus/Toyota dealership, the suspension on the new cars is sometimes a little firm but does soften up after a short while.
Its as if everything is still very tight and loosens up with use.

Hope this helps

john

←

Thanks to everyone who replied to my posting. Dropping the pressures to 30 psi has made no difference. I've just spent a couple of hours in it with a neighbour who said the car magnified every bump in the road. He said the ride was awful with more bounce then Zebedee and could see why I was so upset. I am doubtful that all this will ever settle down but I hope it will as the car is just so lovely - until you have to go anywhere in it! I'm vibrated to bits after about 50 miles and feel really giddy so I'm somewhat dismayed.

Also, was told car could not roll back on a hill - mine does. Also was told car has a stainless steel exhaust system but the RX is the only model in the Lexus book called "Introducing Lexus " that does not mention a S/S system. Is it a S/S one or not? Anyone know ?

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stringbender · January 12, 2005

Jimlit, Sorry but I didn't get your post. Not sure if that's my fault but would like to hear your views.

stringbender · January 12, 2005

LesusJohn. Thanks for your post. Can remember being very surprised to feel engine vibration zizzing into the cabin when I very first started her up in the handover bay. Ever since I have focused on Tyres, Wheels, Suspension/shockers, Prop.Shafts etc. etc. Still drivin' me mad. Will mention the exhaust idea. One local independent garage owner said he had a NIssan pick up truck that drove better than mine. He wondered if the engine mounts were causing a problem. The SE L goes back to Lexus GB this afternoon. What a pity !! On my drive at the mo is the best car I have ever driven and the worst car I have driven for 30 years. Desperate to get all this sorted.