GX550 Overtrail Vibration
- Thread starter connorville
- Start date
Picked up my OT on Thursday last week and drove 3 legs home from SoCal to Wa. state. Spent Sat./Sun. in Boise for parent’s weekend with multiple short trips around the city before yesterday’s final leg home. Observations/opinions regarding “vibration”. Took 2 videos I’ll post shortly…
- Noticeable NVH characteristic on rare occasions at higher speeds 65+ based on road imperfections and on smooth asphalt/pavement. Referring to it as “washboard like” is a gross overstep IMO. More like “flutter” or “slight” vibration is what I’m feeling. I’ve felt similar NVH transmitted on every body-on -frame vehicle I’ve owned and a few unibody cars including my wife’s current Macan. I consider it normal.
- I was able to slow or completely remove it by changing lanes 90% of the time. Sometimes smooth’s out on its own.
- Shocks are working perfectly and the ride quality as it relates to valving with the OT Tokico is great for a daily OE setup. Normal mode the whole way. Short of Lexus going back to the drawing board on the shim/stack and valving I think your “pissing up a rope” trying to trouble shoot the issue. Engineers generally address NVH the best they can but there are always compromises. I’m perfectly happy with my GX as is.
Update….
Well they re-balanced the wheels, 3 of them were 10grams off. Checked the roundness, about 1mm out. Checked and re-tightened all the suspension. Rotated tyres around… and it is slightly better, but still there. The service technician acknowledges it is still there. They have lodged a case with Lexus Au.
They gave me a LC 300 GR Sport as a loaner, no vibration in it. It was interesting to drive it straight after the GX, it feels so much wider and heavier, but the V6 Diesel just picks up from idle just that bit better. The handling and steering response in the GX is better and definitely feels a lot lighter in the front end.
So it’s a wait and see for a response from Lexus Au…
Well they re-balanced the wheels, 3 of them were 10grams off. Checked the roundness, about 1mm out. Checked and re-tightened all the suspension. Rotated tyres around… and it is slightly better, but still there. The service technician acknowledges it is still there. They have lodged a case with Lexus Au.
They gave me a LC 300 GR Sport as a loaner, no vibration in it. It was interesting to drive it straight after the GX, it feels so much wider and heavier, but the V6 Diesel just picks up from idle just that bit better. The handling and steering response in the GX is better and definitely feels a lot lighter in the front end.
So it’s a wait and see for a response from Lexus Au…
Something else to consider on the OT/+ models is the massive alumnimum skid plate that does act as a frame stiffener. Removed mine yesterday for the first oil change and was a bit taken back by it's size and thickness. This no doubts adds significant rigidity to the frame which is mentioned in the manual, (yes, I read it cover to cover) and could also be a contributing factor in NVH transfer.
NVH?
Noise/Vibration/Harshness. It's a thing...
What is Automotive Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH?)
Read to learn about noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in cars, what causes it, and how it can be addressed.
Gotcha. Learned something today. Woohoo! ThxNoise/Vibration/Harshness. It's a thing...
What is Automotive Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH?)
Read to learn about noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in cars, what causes it, and how it can be addressed.www.ansys.com
I took delivery of mine 9/28/2024 It shakes very bad. It shakes the passenger seat so hard that with nobody in it, it make a bit of noise. It is the OT +. I thought it was just a tire out of balance but no joy on that. They did have 60 psi of air in them 
I lowered them to 35 but no change.
Funny thing I notice is sometimes a lane change or bump will make it smooth right out or start! IT seems to really start about 44 mph and on up. It feels to me (maybe crazy) that the ride gets really harsh when the vibrations start. Bumps will shake the fillings out of your teeth.
Still playing with it trying to figure out what it could be.
I lowered them to 35 but no change.Funny thing I notice is sometimes a lane change or bump will make it smooth right out or start! IT seems to really start about 44 mph and on up. It feels to me (maybe crazy) that the ride gets really harsh when the vibrations start. Bumps will shake the fillings out of your teeth.
Still playing with it trying to figure out what it could be.
If I had the option of buying a 300 GR Sport, I probably wouldn't be reading about these GX issues.
So, would I be correct in saying that there have been at least two GX owners on this forum who had extreme vibration issues verified by Lexus dealer techs and Lexus corporate specialists and that the issues were so bad that the two owners had their GX repurchased by their dealership? I think one owner had an OT+ and the other had a Lux+? Anyone keeping track?
Overtrail + no vibration.
I think the point is many of the dealerships are just dismissing it and not treating it serious enough. If it was only one or two vehicles why has there been so many individuals on here raising these vibration issues with their vehicles? Similar with the rear lean on some vehicles that cannot be adjusted and the dealers believe it is within acceptable tolerance limits.
If the car is costing 80k+ USD and upwards (we are not talking KIAs or Hyundais here), you don’t expect these faults, especially on a Japanese car.
I’ve gathered that there have been many more experiencing the vibration issues. I’m just trying to recall the cases that were so extreme that Lexus corporate bought the vehicles back.
I’m also contemplating whether I should wait until the 2026 model or take a 2025 when my name is called in a few months.
I’m also contemplating whether I should wait until the 2026 model or take a 2025 when my name is called in a few months.
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Already shown the lean isn’t a thing. Specs are within 3/4”?? No way the human eye can tell that over 7’
My experience is that it does not.Dealer just said my replacement brake parts are available to order. Hoping this fixes the vibration issue as @sroberts claims
I have the squealing brakes not the vibration in the overtrail, so who knows.
This gives me hope. Thank you.
