GX550 Overtrail Vibration

[kingkong3RS]

I initially thought the same but so much is “lost in translation” when folks are describing what “they feel”. Sticking Caliper piston could and does translate to a shudder or vibration feeling. PTV and sticky caliper piston are two totally different concepts/conditions.

I tried to drag the brakes to engage the pistons lightly over a long distance and the behavior did not change. Sticky calipers should lead to the car wander and not track straight since there's deviations in wheel speed. If it's in the front, you would also feel it in the steering wheel. I'm going to borrow a friends' pyrometer to check the brake disk temps and look for deviations as a sticky caliper would also lead to a rotor exhibiting a higher temp.

RE: PTV, the point I'm trying to make with that example is when the brakes are engaged for an individual wheel, the deviation in wheel speed will prevent the car from tracking straight and begin to pull to a side.

 

[German88]

I tried to drag the brakes to engage the pistons lightly over a long distance and the behavior did not change. Sticky calipers should lead to the car wander and not track straight since there's deviations in wheel speed. If it's in the front, you would also feel it in the steering wheel. I'm going to borrow a friends' pyrometer to check the brake disk temps and look for deviations as a sticky caliper would also lead to a rotor exhibiting a higher temp.

RE: PTV, the point I'm trying to make with that example is when the brakes are engaged for an individual wheel, the deviation in wheel speed will prevent the car from tracking straight and begin to pull to a side.

If the rotor get’s hot enough you might even see visual signs…

 

[Runner193]

I do believe those who have reported this vibration do have vibrations and not a rough ride. Is there any possibility that this is a malfunction of the Adaptive Variable Suspension? It seams like most vehicles experiencing these issues have the AVS system. How does this system receive its input? Could it be a loose or malfunctioning input sensor ? Could the processor be kicking out rapid/erratic information (for whatever reason) to the parts which execute the command ? Any ideas?

 

[kingkong3RS]

I do believe those who have reported this vibration do have vibrations and not a rough ride. Is there any possibility that this is a malfunction of the Adaptive Variable Suspension? It seams like most vehicles experiencing these issues have the AVS system. How does this system receive its input? Could it be a loose or malfunctioning input sensor ? Could the processor be kicking out rapid/erratic information (for whatever reason) to the parts which execute the command ? Any ideas?

This seems more plausible than brakes to me.

 

[Mainelexus]

Full circle, that was discussed originally, but a poster here said the dealer replaced her breaks and it fixed everything.

 

[German88]

I'm not sure if it was me that assumed the calipers where being replaced or "sroberts" mentioned it. Looking at the parts list the calipers were not replaced. Video below details the job on a Tundra and shares the same part list. Now I'm doubting the caliper has anything to do with it. Round n round we go...
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[CCTX]

I'm not sure if it was me that assumed the calipers where being replaced or "sroberts" mentioned it. Looking at the parts list the calipers were not replaced. Video below details the job on a Tundra and shares the same part list. Now I'm doubting the caliper has anything to do with it. Round n round we go...
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Thanks for sharing!! Looking at the parts from the video, I see the fitting kit includes an "anti rattle spring." Can this be related to the vibration issue?

 

[ryanY79]

My GX is back at the dealership now for the regional manager to drive and test it tomorrow. They are going to use some sort of device that measures the vibration in the vehicle. I told the tech to keep it for as long as they need to, but that I don't want it back until it's fixed. We shall see but not getting my hopes up.

Also, FWIW, have been dealing with this issue since May. Have had the vehicle into the dealer 6 times now for this issue, with several of those visits being multiple-day events. Not one word from a manager or anyone other than the technician.

Just seems like someone would give a crap that a new vehicle customer has been in that many times, with an unresolved issue, but appears nobody actually cares aside from the technician.

 

[ryanY79]

I've been following this thread for about the last few months quietly (first post!) and I must say, there's a lot of weird information floating around out there. Let's back it up and just clarify a few things to help out the TLDR crowd.

Vibration -
There's a persistent vibration coming from the rear axle of the car and its not vehicle-speed dependent (harmonic).

• It's NOT a tire imbalance issue
• It's NOT related to the car being a "body on frame" design
• It's NOT related to how the car is sprung (this isn't a 2500 series RAM, it's a Lexus)
• It's NOT related to it being "designed for off-road use" (it's designed for street use with some extra rigor for the off-road stuff)
• Though I can tell you it's not any of the above, I'm short of being able to identify what it actually is!

Brakes-
I don't think it's got anything to do with the brakes as a sticky caliper would prevent it from tracking straight which does not appear to be an issue (I know this because Porsche Torque Vectoring uses the brakes on the inside rear wheel to help the car rotate in). To me, something is impacting one/both of the rear shocks.

My guess is, it is the brakes, and they are all faulty. I have said this before and I will say it again, if Lexus is actually planning to replace all of the brakes on these GX's, they would not do that just because of squeaking. This makes me think it's a bigger problem and they aren't officially announcing it because they simply don't have the brake parts available.

I do understand your vectoring comment, and that makes logical sense, but I feel like both of the rear brakes are grabbing and they are offsetting each other thus not causing a vectoring or pulling to one side. It's the only thing that makes sense to me at this point.

 

[Snooperstyle]

My GX is back at the dealership now for the regional manager to drive and test it tomorrow. They are going to use some sort of device that measures the vibration in the vehicle. I told the tech to keep it for as long as they need to, but that I don't want it back until it's fixed. We shall see but not getting my hopes up.

Also, FWIW, have been dealing with this issue since May. Have had the vehicle into the dealer 6 times now for this issue, with several of those visits being multiple-day events. Not one word from a manager or anyone other than the technician.

Just seems like someone would give a crap that a new vehicle customer has been in that many times, with an unresolved issue, but appears nobody actually cares aside from the technician.

Mine is supposed to go back in next week for the second time, this time with the head service manager doing the test drive. Although the appointment is contingent upon them getting in a brand new OT or OT+ so we can compare (again). He already told me that Lexus won't send a regional rep to look at it, although that could change if they drive it and find it to be exhibiting these issues we've been complaining about. At this point, I am not hopeful at all, and if they can't resolve it or give me some hope, I am seriously considering buying a loaded Sequoia. Have to take my 4runner in for service this week, and I plan to test drive a Land Cruiser and a Sequoia Capstone while I wait.

 

[ryanY79]

Mine is supposed to go back in next week for the second time, this time with the head service manager doing the test drive. Although the appointment is contingent upon them getting in a brand new OT or OT+ so we can compare (again). He already told me that Lexus won't send a regional rep to look at it, although that could change if they drive it and find it to be exhibiting these issues we've been complaining about. At this point, I am not hopeful at all, and if they can't resolve it or give me some hope, I am seriously considering buying a loaded Sequoia. Have to take my 4runner in for service this week, and I plan to test drive a Land Cruiser and a Sequoia Capstone while I wait.

I posted on one of the Land Cruiser forums on FB a few days ago and none of them have experienced any vibration issues at all. I just wonder what kind of trade in value I could get with 6K miles on mine. I really don't want to take a bath on this thing.

 

[VTranger]

I believe any of the new Overtrails being sold will have the brakes fixed prior to them being delivered to the customer. I feel like this is happening at the ports or possibly during assembly now as it's been known for a while. COngrats on your new ride. I do not like green cars at all. Yet this nori color is fantastic and I would absolutely drive that color myself now that I have seen it in person a few times. Great choice.

Well interesting enough I had mine after a port delay when this issue was known.. no vibration but the darn brakes started squeaking in the rear now on reverse! I’ve got 600 miles on it, had it for 2 weeks give or take

 

[VTranger]

Well interesting enough I had mine after a port delay when this issue was known.. no vibration but the darn brakes started squeaking in the rear now on reverse! I’ve got 600 miles on it, had it for 2 weeks give or take

I should add though: it drives fantastic, I’ve towed, off road and on highway I absolutely love this GX OT+ very happy, but staying abreast of this because I think the forum accurately pieced together a serious issue with the brakes and then sure enough my squeaks began lol

 

[VTranger]

I've been following this thread for about the last few months quietly (first post!) and I must say, there's a lot of weird information floating around out there. Let's back it up and just clarify a few things to help out the TLDR crowd.

Vibration -
There's a persistent vibration coming from the rear axle of the car and its not vehicle-speed dependent (harmonic).

• It's NOT a tire imbalance issue
• It's NOT related to the car being a "body on frame" design
• It's NOT related to how the car is sprung (this isn't a 2500 series RAM, it's a Lexus)
• It's NOT related to it being "designed for off-road use" (it's designed for street use with some extra rigor for the off-road stuff)
• Though I can tell you it's not any of the above, I'm short of being able to identify what it actually is!

Brakes-
I don't think it's got anything to do with the brakes as a sticky caliper would prevent it from tracking straight which does not appear to be an issue (I know this because Porsche Torque Vectoring uses the brakes on the inside rear wheel to help the car rotate in). To me, something is impacting one/both of the rear shocks.

Mine seems to want to drift to the right, but then when I try to focus on it I can’t really tell. I know nothing re: calipers however

 

[German88]

Mine seems to want to drift to the right, but then when I try to focus on it I can’t really tell. I know nothing re: calipers however

Check to see if your rotors have this gold dot. This would likely indicate you have the new rotors.

 

[German88]

Thanks for sharing!! Looking at the parts from the video, I see the fitting kit includes an "anti rattle spring." Can this be related to the vibration issue?

IMHO no but the rotor could be the culprit if they were warped from the get go. The shim and anti rattle spring updates would more likely address the squeal.

 

[CCTX]

From another member/thread. Anybody else have success with this?

UPDATE (Sept 19, 2024): The vibration is back. It kept getting worse over the course of a few days and less than 200 miles. Disappointing.


They replaced two tires that they couldn't road-force balance to an acceptable level. It did help and I can feel a difference but there is still some subtle vibration at times.

 

[ryanY79]

Well I post this some 3 hours after talking to Lexus North America today and I am still steaming.

My vehicle has been at the dealer since Monday. This is its 6th trip there to try and fix this vibration.

They said they wanted the regional service manager guy to drive my vehicle and take measurements with some device. They do this on Wednesday. I call the dealer the next day to see what’s up. “We’ve sent the data to Lexus NA and you will have to deal with them now.” I asked if I could get the readings of any info from the “measuring tests” and of course the answer is no, sorry can’t give you anything.

So I call Lexus NA. After a 2 day wait to talk to my case manager, he tells me this afternoon that the findings are the normal driving characteristics of the car. I lost my mind. The dealer knows it’s messed up. The amount of vibration at 75+ MPH is unbearable. It shakes worse than a 1978 Ford Bronco.

I can’t over-state how frustrated I am with this car, with the dealer and with Lexus. Been dealing with this issue since late May and 7 trips now to the dealer and zero communication or assistance from a manager. The technician I have been dealing with doesn’t even have a phone. So communication has been frustrating to say the least.

I’m going to call the general manager on Monday and just tell him how disappointed I am. But he won’t do anything. Nobody gives a sh!t.

The service tech straight up told me all of these brakes are being replaced, and Lexus is turning their back on the consumer and not being forthright. Very scary and I am doubtful I will ever buy another Toyota product ever again. Slowly and painfully learning that this company is lacking morally and will lie through through their teeth in order to avoid a recall on these vehicles.

Money talks and the consumer loses.

 

[Bluegill]

The amount of vibration at 75+ MPH is unbearable. It shakes worse than a 1978 Ford Bronco.

What is the vibration like, meaning how do you feel it? Steering wheel? Seat of your pants? Does the passenger seat and/or rear seat shake back & forth? Mine doesn't vibrate and I'm curious what you're experiencing. I can only imagine the frustration with Lexus telling you it's normal. Sorry you're going through this BS.

 

[BakeShow]

What is the vibration like, meaning how do you feel it? Steering wheel? Seat of your pants? Does the passenger seat and/or rear seat shake back & forth? Mine doesn't vibrate and I'm curious what you're experiencing. I can only imagine the frustration with Lexus telling you it's normal. Sorry you're going through this BS.

I’ve read that it feels like driving on a washboard road. Others concurred.