douglasmiami

Is this problem only with newer models of the RX? I have a 99 RX 300 and I've alwasy thought that the cabin wind noise was more than I would expect from a Lexus. I've tried the "lowering" trick, but haven't noticed a huge difference. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

For all of you who have had the belts replaced, which belts are they (A/C? PowerSteering? Other?) and how hard are they to replace yourself? I have a 99 RX 300 that has pretty bad squeak when starting up, but dies off after car warms. I want to do myself because I need the car everyday, but I don't want to get into bigger issue than I can handle myself. Any other advice on this? What are good brands to look at for belts?

My wife and I both have the problem. The retractable device needs to be replaced. Tom ← FYI - there is another post in this forum in which a member claims that the retract unit and the hinge just get dirty and need to be cleaned. Might want to do a search in here before taking to Lexus.

Sorry guys - I must be the slow one here. But where is the problem? I'm sitting at work trying to think about how the seat belt is configured...is this dirty area easily accessible without removing any covers or other plastic?

Any solutions proposed by Lexus for this? How did you resolve? I spoke to Lexus about mine, not knowing there were others with this problem, and they told me there was no problem with it - "that's just the way it is." Unbelievable.

Well, that's what I've been reading, but it certainly doesn't sound "normal" to me. In addition, the transmission only started doing this 3 months ago. Before that I didn't sense any shifting problems. And my '99 RX is an AWD, which appears to be the problem child in the Lexus family.

SK - could you elaborate on what you mean in your suggestion above? I have had some transmission "sticking" problems, which I have related on this forum, but haven't heard of your suggestion. Of course, Lexus plays dumb and just changed my transmission fluid for me, but the sticking problem between 3rd and 4th gears continues, although it only happens when the car / transmission is cold. Once I get the tranny to shift for first time, I won't have any problems until car is cold again (usually overnight). By the way, I live in Miami, so "cold" is relative here.

Any idea whether or not this TSB applies to front and back suspension? I've never noticed a "thunk" coming from front end - it's always been the rear driver's side that has made noise.

Thanks for the attachment. It came through fine. What exactly is a TSIB and who publishes them? Where can they be found? I followed links before to Edmonds.com and the NHTSA (?), but didn't find anything. And sorry to sound ignorant here, but what exactly is a strut? The picture here looks like it's a part of the shock absorber?

How, specifically, can I access that TSIB mentioned earlier? I've never looked up or seen one. Is that available on this site, or another Lexus site?

SGriffith - I am following back up on this topic as the problem seems to have spread to the front suspension as well as the back on my '99 RX. Any idea what the cost would have been without the warranty? It doesn't sound like parts are too bad, but I'm concerned about labor. Any other follow up on this topic in terms of what has happened to you since then? Thanks. DS

And where would I find this white lithium grease? Or in what department (automotive?). I've never heard of anything like this before. What are other uses for this white grease that might help me locate it?

Thanks for the advice. In terms of lubricating, I've heard of using a "white grease." Ever heard of this? You mentioned oil, what type? Regular motor oil?

Any advice for an antenna mast that won't retract all the way - the very last segment won't retract. It's supposedly a new antenna replaced by private dealer 9 months ago, and I haven't had any problems since that time, but recently I noticed it was louder than usual and then discovered it wasn't retracting. Could this be fixed easily, or would I need to replace? I've seen other posts, but I've only seen lubrication suggestions (white grease to lubricate). I have a '99 RX 300.

Interesting - so how would I find out this "in service" date for my car? Would I have to call Lexus? Or would it be located somewhere else? I don't have the original owner's manual. Would it be on the title for the car?

Whoa - so you're saying that the warranty begins on the date that the vehicle is purchased? So even if I have a '99 RX 300, it could be past the warranty if sold in late '98? Unfortunately, regarding my Supplemental Owner's Manual, when I bought the car, it didn't have either. I ordered Owner's Manual from Toyota, but I don't think it came with supplement. Thanks. DS

Where can I find information on the powertrain warranty for my 1999 RX 300 AWD? I keep hearing 6 years / 70,000 miles.

I have '99 RX 300 AWD with 57,000 miles on it. Two weeks ago, I noticed on way to work that transmission wouldn't shift into 3rd (?) gear and I would have to accelerate or decelerate to get it to shift after RPMs climb to 3,000. This has only been happening after the car has sat for several hours (i.e. morning and on way home from work), and it will only happen after initial "takeoff." Once I get it to shift the first time, I won't have any other problems until it sits again for hours. Does this sound consistent with initial problems that all of you have had? And I'm assuming from these posts that that transmission is covered up to 6 years / 70,000 miles? At what point would Lexus acknowledge that my transmission is malfunctioning (if it truly is) and fix? I don't want to wait until it's too late? Incidentally, my transmission has always hesitated a bit, before this recent "sticking" occurred. But from reading posts on here, I was told this is normal for the '99. Thanks for the advice in advance. DS

I've done a search across all forums here for advice on cleaning dirty headlights and read some interesting advice. The most extreme came from ES forum for cleaning older model headlight lenses by placing headlight in oven to melt the glue that holds / seals together. My problem: '99 RX 300 driver's side headlight appears internally dirty. I've cleaned with Meguiar's product externally with no results. I'm assuming it's internal. It doesn't look like condensation per se, but rather dirty buildup of some sort. Also, it's not "yellow" as I've seen posted by others, but just hazy-dirty looking. Any suggestions? If internal, is there an easier way than placing headlight in oven and pulling apart? How did it get dirty in first place? Could I assume some sort of compromise in seal already? If external, is Meguiars plastic polish good? I've heard of some other product from Novus(?). Thanks.

I have a similar problem, but I don't think it's condensation. I have what appears to be a dirty, hazy buildup on inside of light cover. I've used a Meguiar's plastic polish on it before but it did nothing. I've assumed, therefore, that it's on the inside of the cover as opposed to outside. But from what I've read across several threads, it's not easy to clean. I've heard of one method where you heat the light assembly in the oven and pry apart to clean inside. This seems like asking for trouble to me, but I would love to have a crystal clear headlight. I'm curious how your "condensation" looked? Mine definitely looks like its on inside, but I could be wrong. Also, where can you get this Novus cleaner? I'm not excited about spending more money on cleaners that aren't really designed to fix my problem. Any other advice?

Monarch - sounds like good advice, but I couldn't find a fuel filter or throttle on my car if you paid me good money. I wish it weren't so. I will, however, take your advice on changing the fuel filter and will likely look at some fuel injector cleaner. Thanks.

Thanks guys. I will check into the Poorboys restorer. Regarding weatherstripping, who is qualified to replace this type of thing? Should I take to Lexus or Toyota, or find an independent body shop? Thanks again.

SKP - what is this? Advantages? where can I find it?

RX in NC - are you referring to the weatherstrip rubber around the sealed windows, or the plastic trim piece on outside of driver door window? The rubber around the sealed windows is bad, but not degraded to point of breaking apart or leaking. It just doesn't look good. The trim piece under the driver's side window annoys me more at this point. Is this a piece that Lexus would carry? Unfortunately, I have an old house without a garage, so it does get exposure, but I protect my cars as best I can. Thanks for the response.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll give that a try. Best.