GX 470 law

We purchased a 2008 GX470 in March and most definitely have the "clunk". So thanks to this forum, I know what the issue is and what to call it. Hopefully they'll fix it without any issues.

Overall, we're pretty happy with the vehicle with the notable exception of the navigation system, which I find unintuitive. But that is off-topic for this thread, so I'll check out the other areas to discuss.

I took my 2008 GX 470 in yesterday for the 5k service and told the SA about the Clunk. He special ordered the parts and it should be arriving next week. Frustrating part is that Lexus is waiting for people to complain instead of putting the driveshaft and control arms into line production. SA said that he's already done a couple of 2008's already.

Nothing? no one knows?

Put the Car in Park. Pull up the parking brake. It will work then.

What exactly is “the clunk”? I read a good portion of the pinned post on the issue but I can’t seem to find what it is and when it happens.

I have an 07 so I’m guessing that it isn’t an issue with this model year.

One thing I do experience is this. As I slowly pull up to a stop sign or red light and just before the vehicle comes to a complete stop it feels like something releases. The truck kind of lets go of something like the transmission is going into neutral.

I don’t hear a clunk so I’m assuming it’s something else.

G

Unfortunately, the clunk affects 2003- 2007 AND, even the 2008, as I have come to learn. The Clunk is felt when you are slowing down or when you come to a stop, 1-2 seconds later, you feel a lovetap or a slight "clunk" from the rear. There's a technical service bulletin for this from Lexus and they will change the driveshaft and control arms for 2003-2007. As far as I know, it's just an annoyance and no safety implications.

Hello,

I purchased a new 2008 GX470 in April. Since day 1, I have experienced varying degrees of vibration at most any speed. I took it back to the dealer and they replaced 3 of the tires - they told me they had "flat spots". Drove the car for another week and the vibration was still there. Took it again to the dealer and this time they rebalanced the tires and replaced the air with nitrogen air. They also told me that I need to put some miles on the car and the problem would resolve itself. I have been driving the car now for several weeks and the problem STILL persists!! Has anyone else experienced this problem? I'm so upset that I want to return the car.

Thanks,

Lee

hmm..strange. I picked up an '08 in April and have not experienced any vibrations. Do you have the Dunlop AT20's?

GX470 law, what I am trying to tell you is that your AC compressor does not kick on everytime you you come to a stop. The fact that the AC is on make the clunk happens more often due to the higher rpm.

Ahh..I see. Got it.

GX470 Law, you mean to tell me your A/C compressor kicks in everytime you come to a complete stop? The AC will make the clunk problem worst, so will stopping the truck fast. What I did in the past to show the dealer the clunk problem was to turn on the AC, adjuct my rear suspension down and up and back to auto and stop the truck sharp. I can get the truck to clunk almost everytime by doing that.

The A/C Compressor doesn't kick on every time, but it does an awful lot. I am so annoyed that this clunk crap has not been resolved in '08.

Yes, that isn't the clunk. ;)

Hey guys, sorry to beat a dead horse.

But, I've been testing the car with the A/C on and here's what I get intermittently:

1) At a stop.

2) A/C compressor kicks in and simultaneously see rpm rise. Car moves forward a bit with the rpm rise if foot not firmly on pedal (which seems normal given the increase in rpm).

3) Sometimes, feel like a lovetap from behind when the A/C kicks on.

I know the "clicking" sound when the A/C compressor kicks in, but do any of you feel this "lovetap" from behind when the A/C kicks on? I've only got 900 miles on my car and haven't owned it long enough yet to know what's normal and what's not. Any of you experienced folks have any thoughts on this?

Hey everyone,

So, I crawled underneath the car ('08 GX470, Manufacture Date - 2/08) yesterday and saw the sticker on the driveshaft. It has the designation "PNM5" on it, so it's the same driveshaft as on the '03 to the '07's. I don't know why in the world Lexus would not simply put in the updated driveshaft in the TSB which is "PNMO."

Yet, the Lexus service/parts people at my dealership confirm that the "new" driveshaft is already in the '08's.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

I took my 2008 GX470 (purchased in late March, 2008) to the dealer yesterday to change the plastic piece that covers the speedometer/tach/etc (because of scratches on the back/inside side, for the second time), and the clunk issue came up (I brought it up). They had no problem making the changes (TSB). The service manager, without hesitation, said, and I quote “I would be glad to complete the TSB” (which only technically goes through 2007), and said he would check to see if he had the parts. He did. They began to complete the TSB right then (same day), but, corporate said no, claiming my 2008 should already have the new parts. My dealer argued with them, stating that their customer had experienced the clunk (I experienced it only two times (1400 miles), and this is what I told him). They (corporate) agreed to allow the dealer to change the driveshaft, but not the arms (upper/lower, two sets of two). My dealer changed the driveshaft. My dealer said that the driveshafts were, without question, different, but they could see no visible difference in the arms (note that they did not really look closely (measure them), so there may really be some difference; I have read that the new ones are larger in diameter but do not know if mine has the new or the old). The dealer (service manager) also said that the numbers on the driveshaft don't mean much. They use the part numbers specified in the TSB, and the numbers on the driveshaft may not be the same when ordering the driveshaft by the part number in the TSB.

The service manager and I spent at least 1/2 hour looking for some mention of the VIN regarding the clunk issue. We could not find any. There seems to be nothing in the VIN that would tell them/you if or if not the clunk TSB is included. The bottom line is that the dealer has no easy way to determine if you have or not the new driveshaft and arms. They just go by complaints. If you complain, and based only on the complaint, they (the dealer) should/may apply the TSB, but corporate may prevent them from doing the entire TSB, or any of it depending on the vehicle and how strongly the dealer is willing to argue with them on your behalf. When I say prevent, I mean of course, they will not pay for it.

I have not driven the vehicle long enough to see if the clunk is gone. I have not experienced it yet, but hardly did before. Since I have only driven 40 miles since the driveshaft change (due to my three recent surgeries) I really don’t know if it is fixed. I cannot really tell any difference except that it may shift a little smoother. One last note, the service manager said that the biggest part of the clunk problem is lack of grease in the drive shaft (the end that goes into the transmission, I think, and which has no grease fitting). He grease mine up when he installed it. The other end has a grease fitting but since it is not mentioned in the dealer prep documentation only experienced techs will know to grease this as part of the prep before sale. He said, as the driveshaft gets drier and drier (grease melts or thins out) the worse the clunk will be. He gets his 2007 GX470 greased (the driveshaft) at every oil change, and we agreed that he would do the same to mine at every oil change.

Omegaman

Thanks for the information - - I'm going to follow up with my dealership sooner or later on this and although I don't feel the "clunk" when stopping, it's a different story when I have my A/C on. When the A/C cycles on, my rpms go up a bit for a brief second or two and sometimes, I feel a little push from behind. I think it may be the increase in rpm. Does this happen to you? Not many '08 owners here yet, so figured you may have experienced this as well?

Hey everyone,

So, I crawled underneath the car ('08 GX470, Manufacture Date - 2/08) yesterday and saw the sticker on the driveshaft. It has the designation "PNM5" on it, so it's the same driveshaft as on the '03 to the '07's. I don't know why in the world Lexus would not simply put in the updated driveshaft in the TSB which is "PNMO."

Yet, the Lexus service/parts people at my dealership confirm that the "new" driveshaft is already in the '08's.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Even though it doesn't call for it, any opinions or advice on getting the oil change at the first 1K service?

Try turning the a/c off when you are about to stop at a stoplight/sign. Then tell us if you feel any "bump" from the back. ;) Possibly it could just be the A/C kicking in if it's really hot in your area

When the A/C is off, no clunk, nothin' at all. When the A/C is on, and only sometimes, when it kicks in (along with the increase in RPM), I can feel or hear a slight "clunk." Without A/C, no sound whatsoever...smooth sailing.

Do you feel a push from the back when you hear the clunk?

I'll check it later on today when I turn the A/C on.

Hmmm...just brought an '08. Hot as heck today, so decided to use the A/C. Seems like when the A/C kicks in while stopped, I feel a "clunk." Is this the infamous clunk..or...is it normal A/C noise?

Anyone ever put the car in reverse (like backing down a driveway), then put the car in drive and hear some type of "spring" or "ping" noise coming from the footwell area? If so, what the heck is it?

I get the same noise on my 08' as well. I had an 04' GX before and it didn't do this...

Ahh...I see. I'm still getting used to the new sounds on my '08.

Thanks guys!

Anyone ever put the car in reverse (like backing down a driveway), then put the car in drive and hear some type of "spring" or "ping" noise coming from the footwell area? If so, what the heck is it?

Hello, I'm brand new to the post and just purchased a brand spanking new 2008 GX 470. I've owned German cars for most of my car owing life (BMW, MERCEDES-BENZ, PORSCHE) and let me tell you, I am soooooo happy with my GX. The ride is incredible and I'm very pleasently surprised at the reasonable parts and service rates!

Anyhoot, I have a quick question. I'm going on a long road trip and was considering buying a car bra. Problem is, they made them for 03-04 years (Lexus OEM). The parts guy said that the bumpers are still the same for '08 but in 06 onwards, the part number for the hood changed. I understood that there were no changes (other than cosmetic) from '03 to '08.

1) Would the bra fit for my '08; and

2) Why the part number change?

Thanks!!!