98 Es300 - Poor Handling

[thomasmcc]

I've been chasing an problem with my car, which has 190K on it. When cruising on the highway, the car feels like it is all over the place......almost as if I'm being wind blown the way you sometimes are when you are behind a tractor trailor. In concert with needed repairs like new struts (KYB) and new tires (Michelin MXV4's V rated), I decided to replace the tierod ends and ball joints in the front end. I did this all myself and then brought the car to a dealer to have an alignment done. While the car ride much smoother now, it still handling the same way on the highway. I actually had the tires replaced twice (thinking it was a bad tire, plus I went from H rated tires to V rated tires) and had the alignment checked twice.

The only other component I think it could be is the steerring rack. Could a worn steering rack cause my problem? Does anyone else have any ideas? If it is the steering rack, is it hard to replace one? I can get a rebuilt one for around $200.

Regards,

Tom

[justin97]

I've been chasing an problem with my car, which has 190K on it. When cruising on the highway, the car feels like it is all over the place......almost as if I'm being wind blown the way you sometimes are when you are behind a tractor trailor. In concert with needed repairs like new struts (KYB) and new tires (Michelin MXV4's V rated), I decided to replace the tierod ends and ball joints in the front end. I did this all myself and then brought the car to a dealer to have an alignment done. While the car ride much smoother now, it still handling the same way on the highway. I actually had the tires replaced twice (thinking it was a bad tire, plus I went from H rated tires to V rated tires) and had the alignment checked twice.

The only other component I think it could be is the steerring rack. Could a worn steering rack cause my problem? Does anyone else have any ideas? If it is the steering rack, is it hard to replace one? I can get a rebuilt one for around $200.

Regards,

Tom

go with struts, it made a huge difference in handleing(changed at 120k) makde the car feel more solid.

[SAGIV]

I've been chasing an problem with my car, which has 190K on it. When cruising on the highway, the car feels like it is all over the place......almost as if I'm being wind blown the way you sometimes are when you are behind a tractor trailor. In concert with needed repairs like new struts (KYB) and new tires (Michelin MXV4's V rated), I decided to replace the tierod ends and ball joints in the front end. I did this all myself and then brought the car to a dealer to have an alignment done. While the car ride much smoother now, it still handling the same way on the highway. I actually had the tires replaced twice (thinking it was a bad tire, plus I went from H rated tires to V rated tires) and had the alignment checked twice.

The only other component I think it could be is the steerring rack. Could a worn steering rack cause my problem? Does anyone else have any ideas? If it is the steering rack, is it hard to replace one? I can get a rebuilt one for around $200.

Regards,

Tom

i got the same problem with 160,000...ang suggestions

[thomasmcc]

Justin,

The new struts, and all the other parts I discussed are already installed. That is why I'm so frustrated with how the car is handling. The only thing left is the steering rack, unless I'm missing something else.

Tom

[thomasmcc]

:( My frustration with the cars handling has finally reached the point where I made an appointment with the dealership to see if they find something. I will drop it off tomorrow along with the following:

Sequence of events:

2/16/08 - Replaced the two front tires, which were bald on inside. Had “H” rated Michelin MXV4 tires installed.

2/18/08 - Had front-end alignment done. After doing so, it’s the first time I really noticed the erratic handling.

3/3/08 - My suspension was tired, so I decided to replace the struts (front & rear), strut mounts (front & rear), and strut bearings (front). Also, I decided to replace the front tie rod ends, front ball joints, and sway bar links (front & rear) in an effort to improve handling.

3/5/08 - Had the alignment re-done after the suspension parts were replaced. I also decided to replace the other two tires.

Handling did not improve after the above work was performed. Quite frankly, it’s scary to drive on a windy day, as the car is all over the road.

3/17/08 – Thinking the problem might be the tires, I exchanged all the tires. This time I had “V” rated Michelin MXV4 tires installed.

No change in handling.

3/21/08 – Got under the car, looking for play in the tie rod links (inner), and the steering rack. Everything seems tight to me. I added a little toe-in into the steering to see if it had any effect on handling. No change. I’m stumped!

[Lexusfreak]

Does not sound like many other things can be changed except the steering rack now...what tire pressure do you have in your tires?

Keep us posted on what the dealer suggests. B)

[thomasmcc]

I run my tires at about 34 PSI.

Unless the tire shop totally screwed up my alignment or tire balances, I'm thinking steering rack also. That could get expensive!

I'll let you know.

[Lexusfreak]

Did you get a print out of your alignment results?

[thomasmcc]

On Friday, Lexus could not find anything wrong with the steering or suspension hardware. Everything checked out okay. They did not have time to check the alignment, so the car is back at the dealership so they can check that out today.

I'll keep you posted.

[Lexusfreak]

If the alignment check's out OK, I am not sure what else to suggest.

[thomasmcc]

The dealership just called and said the toe-in on the front wheels was off 1/3 of a degree on each side. Thinking that it was off by the amount of toe-in I added in (I added a 1/2 turn each side), I asked how much of an adjustment that it took to bring the front end back into spec. The technician said that it took approxiamtely 3 turns on each side to bring it back into spec. A rough calculation indicates that the toe-in was off by .156 inch total. Could this be the cause of my problems? I hope so, but I'll see when I get it back.

I guess a good rule of thumb is, don't have your tire dealer do your front end alignment. It's like having your oil man tune-up your furnace, or better said.... having the fox watch the hen house.

[thomasmcc]

The car definitely drives better since the alignment was corrected. It's not what I would call perfect for a car with 193K on it. But it's better. I guess I'm going to just accept it the way it is.

[camlex]

Miles has nothing to do. I have with 309,200. and it's run better then somebody with less than 100,000.

It's key how you take care of it.

[thomasmcc]

I appreciate your comment about your high milage car. However, I've exhausted the possiblilites (and my wallet), and Lexus could not find anything out of wack either. Not sure what else to do.

[camlex]

did you try with somebody who do only frontends?

[jet_a_jockey]

Hi thomas,

what kind of shape are your springs in? Are they original? Do you notice any excessive movement of the car when stopping and taking off? Looks like other than springs, you've covered everything else under there.

[thomasmcc]

No, I didn't go to a front-end specialist. I figured Lexus would be able to diagnose the problem.

The springs are original. They seem fine. The suspension seems fine, with no excessive play.

I'm going to live with it "as is" for a while.

[Lexusfreak]

Glad the car is somewhat improved however thomas after having the alignment adjusted......it does not appear that your Lexus dealer is taking you for a huge ride either.

[Howiiieee]

I had the same problem with my old 98 ES300. I think it is just Lexus's soft ride design and it gets worse as the suspension gets older and weaker.

I replaced my ES with a 97 BMW528i and instantly loved the handling on the Beammer. However, the BMW was in the shop constantly, so I replaced it with a 95 LS400.

The LS's handling is better than ES's but have the similar feel. Now I am looking for after market suspensions to make it handles better.

Howiiieee

Rialto, Ca

95 LS400

[thomasmcc]

The problem is, my suspension is not older and weaker. Most of the suspension (struts, strut mounts, ball joints, tie rod ends. sway bar links) is brand new! That's why I have been so frustrated with the poor handling. I thought it would handle almost like new after the parts were replaced. Something is wrong, and the dealer and I couldn't find it. It would have been better for the dealer to diagnose the problem, even if it was an expensive fix, than to not find anything at all.