FYI -

I went to my dealer today and my service advisor noted that there was a TSB released by Lexus today for the clunking driveshaft. I asked him what it entailed, and he mentioned many parts like rear connecting links and so forth... not simply "lube the driveshaft".

We'll see, as more info becomes available. Maybe Lexus finally stepped up to the plate to provide a real solution.

New driveshaft and rear control arms get replaced.

I was just advised by my service advisor that it is a completely newly designed drive shaft and assembly that will cure the thump. The parts have been ordered! My '05 with 14,000 miles has had the shaft lubed 4 times.

I have an '06 with about 6k miles on it. I have noticed the clunk now a few times and seems to be getting more frequent.

Does anyone know if this TSB applies to all GX model years, or only certain ones? Is it necessary for the dealer to try the other fixes (lubrication, machining the splines) before the driveline is replaced?

Wife just took in our '06 for the 5000 mile service. One mention of the clunk, and they ordered the TSB parts. So looks like '06's get them too.

Let us know how it goes. I am also experiencing it intermittently but not as bad as some people described it. I have an 04 model with 21K on it.
Thanks.

They said it will take 4 to 6 weeks for the parts to arrive.

This applies to all model years.

We traded in our '03 for an '05 on the promise they had fixed the drive shaft issue. Apparently nothing has really changed over the years until now.

I've been out of town, but had a message on my cell phone last week that the parts were in stock and ready to go... we'll see. Probably schedule within the next week or so... don't really want to be the "first". BTW - I have an 06 with ~5K miles on it.

Called the dealer yesterday and they just so happened to have the parts in stock......will pick up tomorrow morning and let you know how it goes......hope it works this time!

I had mine done yesterday. They replace the drive shaft and upper/lower control arms. So far So good. I will let you know if it last.

TexGX

Picked mine up today........so far so good for me too. But only time will tell....

Yes, the dealer replaced mine on Tuesday and so far no clumping Keep your fingers crossed for me...

Had ours done too. So far it rides perfectly. Let's give it 3 to 5,000 miles to see if it is a fix.

It's done... and no more clunk. Granted, it does need to pass the test of time, but I'm not that worried.

I doubt Lexus would have invested the money and resources into creating thousands of sets of driveshafts and control arms if there was much of a chance it wouldn't work - this is an expensive repair between part costs and labor they have to pay the dealerships. They really don't want to do it twice.

Besides, they've had several YEARS to work on the problem and perfect the fix.

hey guys update the rest of us here and mention ANY time the clunk comes up with this new tsb. if it completely solves the problem then i will have mine done also. i hope i hear good updates ASAP cuz my warranty's running out(44k miles) and am in the middle of a decision whether to mortgage this Gx after the lease is up or get a new one.

My clunk was fixed via TSB 2+ weeks ago, and I just got back from a 3000 mile road trip - still no problems. I'm satisfied.

Can somoene look at their work order sheet and tell us what is the TSB # that relates to this? I had the rear driveshaft replaced around 5k a couple of yrs ago (MY04 GX), but the problem still occasionaly comes and goes. I'll take it in again and request that they replace driveshaft and rear control arms.

Here is what mine says:

TSB DL001-06; DL5002 R&R Lower Control Arms, 874 WL 04006-09160 Control Arm Kit, RR; 37110-60A40 Shaft Assy, Propelle; 55099 Others

So far so good...very smooth!

no one ever told me these things are back ordered! I've been waiting 2 weeks and still no word if the parts are in for it.

I had the driveline and control arms replaced on my '06 GX yesterday. The clunk, which developed to a prominent issue over 9,000 miles, appears to be gone! Let's hope it stays that way over time!

Parts took over a month to arrive.

mine just came in the other day (finally) .

Seems like it doesn't come up anymore, even by raising and lowering the suspension when the car's in D. (crossing fingers). Let's hope this 5th attempt of mine, IS THE LAST ATTEMPT!

In all the posts regarding the "clunk", I don't recall anything that correlated the clunk to the times the rear A/C is operating. When my grandson was here he apparently turned the rear A/C off (week ago) and I haven't had the clunk at all during that time. Turned it back on today and clunk is back. Seems to coincide with the throttle changing when the A/C compressor kicks off. ('05 GX with 6K.) I haven't talked to my dealer about it yet. Anyone heard of anything similar?

I hadn't used the rear a/c until last week and I had the clunk with it on and off. I didn't notice any correlation between the two. The driveline fix has resolved the problem so far. Now the car drives (and stops) is as smooth as any I've ever driven.

i don't have rear a/c, and it still comes up. Does it come up to you guys, when using the a/c in the front??

I've pinned this topic so that future GX470 owners will have easy access to this information.

Thanks for making this easy to find!

New here...I too am experience same "problems" Can anyone tell me if this is covered 100% by the waranty or do they require out-of-pocket money? Appreciate any reply thank you

100% covered under warranty.

I called them in advance and told them of the problem and asked that they order the parts ahead of time so I only would have to make on trip to the dealership for the repair. (As opposed to taking it in, having them assess the issue, then order the parts and have me return on a future visit for their installation.) As always, they gave me a loaner, offered free snacks and drinks, cleaned my car inside and out, and treated me with the utmost respect.

Despite having a pretty major design flaw, the rest of the car and the dealership service have won me over for life!

thank you for the prompt response. I called dealer and they said they would need to evaluate the parts needed for some reason so i made an apptmnt for this week. They also said they might have the parts in-stock so i can only hope. I too love this vehicle, had v8 touareg before with air suspension etc and no way does it compare in performance and ride as our GX470 with sprt package. Wife loves it. I knew about the clunk before buying but confided that one day Toyota would uphold it's name by FIXING it. We shall see as others have stated about the whole "TIME WILL TELL" thing.

True, but it took them 3 years to get a permanent fix. So far, i think this is like their 5th or 6th attempt, and I've been thru all of them. Hopefully and so far, no one has complained about this new TSB. Good luck on your service

3 Years is not bad, considering this problem is not a safety issue. I know of many many other manufacturers that had problem which they refuse to address until the re-design. I think we should give Lexus credit for their try after try to fix this problem. You can almost bet that 95% of the manufacturers out their would not go that extra mile like Lexus did.

I had a new driveshaft installed and about 6k miles later, the clunk came back. At first the dealer said it was being caused by a water bottle rolling around under the driver's seat (from a competing Lexus dealer, no less!). I had them pick the truck up to re-assess their conclusion and they replaced the shaft and control arms. So far, so good. I'll give it another few thousand miles to see if it comes back. Hopefully, this will do the trick and end the clunk issues for all of us!

It should. So far, so good. No complaints of the clunk coming back with the new TSB.

Hi, I just purchased an 06 GX470 and I'm familiar with this "clunk" thanks to you guys. So my question to you is if I'm buying a new car should I tell them to order the parts for me, or wait and see when it starts happening? Might the car come with the new driveshaft and control arms? Well if you guys could let me know, I would greatly appretiate it.

Welcome and Congrats on the incoming new GX. To answer your question, wait for the clunk to appear. Since you're buying an 06, IT SHOULD come with the updated driveshaft and control arms, but you never know. The dealer will not let you order the parts in advance because no one knows if the vehicle will have it.

Thank you for the advise. Any pointers as to the type of "clunk" I should be expecting. I mean some people have said it feels as though the person behind you gives you a gentle tap, other say it's almost like a little slip when coming to a complete stop, others have said that when they accelerate it's a soft thump sound. Well I'm sure that I will notice it when I feel it, but I don't want to be paranoid about it. what I mean is I don't want to be driving with the radio off and constantly in the look out of a "clunk" . I have reasearched the GX470 for almost two years and I have heard great things about the vehicle. I have also heard people knock the vehicle and...well in my opinion the good overwelms the bad ....but that's just my opinion. I'm looking forward on recieving my new baby, I get it on Wednesday September 06 at 7:00PM .

well any pointers you or anyone can give me I would truly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.

Nica, you will surely enjoy it. It's us 03-05 owners that took the hit on the problems. Took Lexus a few years before they got a permanent fix. Once it's fixed up (like mine) you'll just enjoy the smooth V8 of this vehicle.

hey denslexusqx470

I have a question for you, I'm still new at this so I hope people don't mind me asking.

Well I finally got my GX470 and I have two questions for you.

1. When you put the vehicle in reverse are both mirrors supposed to tilt downward?
2. When you insert a DVD disk for the rear entertainment, how can you make so that it can be heard on the speakers not on the headphones only?

thank you,

Carlos

I can only answer one of your questions as I don't have DVD. Regarding your side mirrors, they can be turned off. I know your side mirror switch must be in either L or R and that's what activates your automatic reverse tilt mirrors. Just put the switch in the middle, and they won't tilt.

As for the DVD, it must be in the owner's manual but sorry to say I have no idea on that question. It's okay to post questions that other people might consider "absurd" because we were all newbies on this vehicle at one point.

To hear the DVD through the audio speakers, simply press the "CD" button on the stereo unit until it cycles through to the DVD player. The same can be done with the steering wheel button. Just press it multiple times until the desired audio source cycles through on the screen.

Thank you both for your assitance. I'm really enjoying my GX470 and I'm still trying to give my new baby a name.....I haven't come up with anything good just yet....but the more I drive it something will come to me.

This may be an odd question but do any of you name your cars?

Sure,

Here's my list:

05 Gx470 - Lexi
00 Covette - Maggy (Magnetic red color)
72 Chevelle Convt. - Shellie
69 Camaro - Yellow Fellow (color)
69 Camaro - Pacer (pace car)
65 Corvette - Summer (license is Summer -XX, Year I graduated from HS)
63 Avanti - Stude
57 Chevy - Blacky (Color)
57 Chevy - Lady (Short for grand old lady)

You know, that's a really nice idea. I've never really given names for any of the cars. So far this is what I call them:
97 Odyssey - Ody
03 GX470- GX
06 4Runner - (ok here's one) GX Wanabe

Those a nice names...here is what I got so far:

06 GX470 - ...so far Nica
03 RSX Type S - Lola
95 Volvo 960 - Luna (means moon in Spanish)
92 Jeep - Lolo

Perhaps not as high end of vehicles are what some of you own or have owned but considering my age...that's not bad hehehe

Almost 6,000 miles, mostly local driving, since the TSB. No return of the clunk.

that is definitely good news.

3JBS and everyone else reading this that has gone through the tsb can you please provide some input as to how your vehicle is holding out please.

I have just purchased a new 06 GX470 and I'm starting to know what all of you were talking about...I spoke to the service manager at the dealership and he didn't even hesitate to order the parts, he jus told me to bring it in on October 2nd and they would replace all parts....I'm a little nervous about anyone getting near the car so having someone working on a brand new vehicle makes me extremely edgy

Well I have been reading lots about this tsb and I have heard nothing but positive feed back about it....so far. I did hear of someone complaining about the height of the vehicle not being the same after the tsb was completed. That was just one person because no one else complained about the height....I'm definitely going to take every precaution before I bring it to the dealership

For those that have had the tsb done for the "clunk/thump" if you could please give me some pointers before I go to the dealership. I've been driving the vehicle to work and every time I come to a stop at a red light it sounds like a "clunk"...yes...yes... ..like as though the vehicles rear end got tapped from behind (typical from what I've read).

Well I'm still a little hesitant about taking it in to the dealership and have the tsb done, that is why I'm asking for some feed back from anyone that has gone through what I'm going through...please and thank you in advance.

Nica, relax. If your GX has the clunk, go ahead and fix it. If it doesn't, congratulations. It may or may not come up but I suggest waiting for it to appear before going in to fix it. Make sure it is the clunk. By the way you described your experience, it didn't seem like a serious clunk. Wait for it to consistently come up and then go ahead with the TSB. Besides, you have what, 49,000 miles till end of warranty?? lol

So far, I think I've been driving about 3k miles on the new TSB and no clunk for me either.

I also have had good results with the TSB on my 2005. The ride and handling also seems to be tighted up a bit which is a good thing. The rear ride height is adjustable although it needs a measurement tool from the dealer. Just make it clear to the dealer that you want to make sure he maintains the stock height.

I purchased certified pre-owned 2003 GX470 with 51,500 mi on 9/9 from
Lexus dealership. Right after I started to drive, I noticed so called "clunk".
I did not pay attention to it when I test drived, though... After I learnt the
fact of the clunk from all of you in this Forum, I took my car to the same
dealership for repair. Service person told me exactly what I expected.
"We need to order the updated drive shaft" Obviously Lexus knew that this
car had a clunk problem unfixed yet, but they certified it.

Service guy said this drive shaft is long back order and I may have to wait
for a few months!!!! I am not happy but I really believe that my vehicle will
be perfectly fixed when this updated drive shaft got available after a few months.....

Can somebody tell me whether it won't be a big help if I ask the other Lexus
dealership in the same area to check the inventory of this parts? If one dealership
has no inventory, the others also have nothing in stock? Or, is it worth trying?

Sounds like the "clunk" might be a thing of the past. I have been drilling the service manager and he's been telling me lots about this "clunk". Within my area, there have been only three vehicles that have received the tsb and they have not returned with any concerns.

Well I knew about this "clunk" before I purchased the car and I still purchased it because I believe in the product. I'm very pleased of the height of the vehicle and I'm very happy to see Toyota/Lexus step up to fix the issue.

I have to admit that my Lexus dealership has been treating me really well. I can understand why people keep coming back to Lexus. Not do they provide a great product but have great service. Well at least that’s been my experience.

Well if any of you GX470 owners could please keep me/us posted of the tsb and if there are any further complains please share the frustration....I'm really curious about what other owners are going through.