RX300 VIBRATES WHEN COLD

[Steve K]

I had some extensive (and expensive!) work done on my 2001 RX300
recently. I had a rebuilt transmission installed, and the timing belt
replaced at the same time. A Toyota dealer did the work. Since then,
there is a vibration in the front end that can be felt through the
steering wheel and through my feet on the floor at speeds over 50 mph.
After about 5 minutes on the road however, the vibration goes away. I
rotated the tires, but that had no effect. I've never seen a
vibration problem that goes away when the car warms up. Are there any
Lexus or Toyota techs out there who have come across this?

[Ray O]

Post by Steve K
I had some extensive (and expensive!) work done on my 2001 RX300
recently. I had a rebuilt transmission installed, and the timing belt
replaced at the same time. A Toyota dealer did the work. Since then,
there is a vibration in the front end that can be felt through the
steering wheel and through my feet on the floor at speeds over 50 mph.
After about 5 minutes on the road however, the vibration goes away. I
rotated the tires, but that had no effect. I've never seen a
vibration problem that goes away when the car warms up. Are there any
Lexus or Toyota techs out there who have come across this?

Noises and vibrations are difficult to diagnose without experiencing them
first hand. Vibrations at higher speeds are generally caused by tire
problems, and they can go away if there is moisture in the tires that melts
as the tires warm up or if there is a flat spot in one or more of the tires.
It is also possible that there is a problem in the transmission or a binding
driveshaft or axle shaft that loosens up as it warms up.

[Jay Somerset]

On Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:54:43 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by Steve K
I had some extensive (and expensive!) work done on my 2001 RX300
recently. I had a rebuilt transmission installed, and the timing belt
replaced at the same time. A Toyota dealer did the work. Since then,
there is a vibration in the front end that can be felt through the
steering wheel and through my feet on the floor at speeds over 50 mph.
After about 5 minutes on the road however, the vibration goes away. I
rotated the tires, but that had no effect. I've never seen a
vibration problem that goes away when the car warms up. Are there any
Lexus or Toyota techs out there who have come across this?

Noises and vibrations are difficult to diagnose without experiencing them
first hand. Vibrations at higher speeds are generally caused by tire
problems, and they can go away if there is moisture in the tires that melts
as the tires warm up or if there is a flat spot in one or more of the tires.
It is also possible that there is a problem in the transmission or a binding
driveshaft or axle shaft that loosens up as it warms up.

The symptoms described were not uncommon 20 years ago using tires
constructed with nylon cords, when the temperature was cold. Nylon
tires flatspotted when parked, and the flat spot would disappear after
the tires warmed up with driving.

Less likely today, as nylon is not used very much as a cord material,
unless it is a very cxheap tire brand (steel and kevlar are much moere
common now, especially in high performance tires.

What did your Toyota dealer say when you reported the vibration?

[j***@hotmail.com]

It's especially diffuclt to know the cause when major work like that
has been done. Given that the problem goes away after warm up my guess
is the torque converter or transmission. How's the condition of the
engine/tranny mounts? I would replace the tranny mounts with a tranny
rebuild. A little googling shows the RX has a lot of transmission
problems.

Which rebuild house did the tranny? Actually it should be done by a
"remanufacturing" house. Maybe it's warranty time? It's probably a bad
rebuild or poor workmanship.

Post by Steve K
I had some extensive (and expensive!) work done on my 2001 RX300
recently. I had a rebuilt transmission installed, and the timing belt
replaced at the same time. A Toyota dealer did the work. Since then,
there is a vibration in the front end that can be felt through the
steering wheel and through my feet on the floor at speeds over 50 mph.
After about 5 minutes on the road however, the vibration goes away. I
rotated the tires, but that had no effect. I've never seen a
vibration problem that goes away when the car warms up. Are there any
Lexus or Toyota techs out there who have come across this?

[techtrainer]

Post by Steve K
I had some extensive (and expensive!) work done on my 2001 RX300
recently. I had a rebuilt transmission installed, and the timing belt
replaced at the same time. A Toyota dealer did the work. Since then,
there is a vibration in the front end that can be felt through the
steering wheel and through my feet on the floor at speeds over 50 mph.
After about 5 minutes on the road however, the vibration goes away. I
rotated the tires, but that had no effect. I've never seen a
vibration problem that goes away when the car warms up. Are there any
Lexus or Toyota techs out there who have come across this?

Just out of curiosity - why did you have to replace transmission ?
How many miles does your car have ?
I am asking because I drive a similar car (2000 RX).

[j***@hotmail.com]

The 2001 RX transmission was failure prone. Probably due to poor
design or manufacturing as "planetary ring gear blew apart". Not that
yours will fail early or in the same way, but have a read:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t20676.html

Post by techtrainer

Post by Steve K
I had some extensive (and expensive!) work done on my 2001 RX300
recently. I had a rebuilt transmission installed, and the timing belt
replaced at the same time. A Toyota dealer did the work. Since then,
there is a vibration in the front end that can be felt through the
steering wheel and through my feet on the floor at speeds over 50 mph.
After about 5 minutes on the road however, the vibration goes away. I
rotated the tires, but that had no effect. I've never seen a
vibration problem that goes away when the car warms up. Are there any
Lexus or Toyota techs out there who have come across this?

Just out of curiosity - why did you have to replace transmission ?
How many miles does your car have ?
I am asking because I drive a similar car (2000 RX).