Lexus Owners Club (USA & Canada) > Just Test Drove 2005. Driveline Still Clunks :(

Muddy Mudskipper

Jun 30 2005, 09:23 AM

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here. I'm selling my 2003 911 Carrera and getting a bit more practical.

I was going to get a 4Runner Ltd. but felt a bit cramped inside. I really enjoy the larger brighter interior of the white/tan GX.

Drove one yesterday (6/29/05) for 12 miles and all was perfect except it clunked 2 times. This GX literally had just arrived 2 days ago and had 2 miles on it.

I thought they corrected the clunk for 2005?? I guess not. Can anyone shed some light.

denslexusgx470

Jun 30 2005, 11:01 AM

sorry, the driveline design is kinda a "flaw" that most GX470s will have it, considering all the drivelines are the same. some will get away with it, some unfortunate (your not the only one). my service rep told me that 95% of the GX470s here in Fresno, CA have the clunk. wait for the redesign so that those might not have the clunk.

SilverGX

Jun 30 2005, 01:36 PM

Notice a little Clunk on stopping. Not real bad. The vehcile only had 4 miles
on it so couldnt have been driven much.

What do notice is feedback from the drive of the front wheels though the
steering wheel. The 4 Runner 2WD V8 does not have this feel.

This the first 4 wheel drive that had, where noticed the clunk and steering.

When it is known by the factory, a just accept it, in a premium SUV,
they can do better. As far major or really minor problems, havent had one in
over 10 years with both American and Asian vehicles.

Jugdish

Jun 30 2005, 01:57 PM

I think this is blown totally out of proportion. This is perhaps the nicest SUV on the market. This one tiny flaw, be it somewhat annoying, is nothing compared to the problems I have had with other SUV's that I have owned. This truck has the best ride, the most comfortable seats, is the best looking, and carries the Lexus service that we have grown accustom to. Comparing it to the competition, even with this issue, I would still buy the GX 470 hands down. I have 23K miles on it, I have a minor thump every once and a while, but thats it. ALL of my other SUV's I have owned including Acura and Mercedes have had major issues before 20K miles. Get over it.

scottjm

Jun 30 2005, 04:22 PM

agree with Jugdish, If My GX gets a little clunk It would not change my opinion of what is by far the best SUV I have ever owned. Have been waiting years for an SUV that offers the Comfort, Luxury, Sport and true off road ability that the GX gives me. Both me and my brother have March 2005 builds and neither of us have had any issues including the clunk as of yet

CaptnPete

Jul 1 2005, 04:25 AM

The 'clunk' may be annoying, but it is also repairable. My '03 had the driveshaft replaced twice in the first year. The second time the splines were lapped in properly. Since then: NO MORE CLUNK. The warranty bill was around $1000.

SilverGX

Jul 1 2005, 05:10 PM

Just put 500 miles on the GX -- There is some kind of noise coming from the
rear area. Not the clunk. It sounds like something loose, maybe some
plastic parts are the cause since only notice it at speed. Its going in
wednesday to have another item checked out so may see if they can put
it up on the lift and just look

clickart

Jul 3 2005, 07:13 PM

QUOTE(SilverGX @ Jul 1 2005, 05:10 PM)

Just put 500 miles on the GX -- There is some kind of noise coming from the
rear area. Not the clunk. It sounds like something loose, maybe some
plastic parts are the cause since only notice it at speed. Its going in
wednesday to have another item checked out so may see if they can put
it up on the lift and just look
[right][snapback]138297[/snapback][/right]

hey SilverGX, i think i have the same noise as you. i brought it in twice but they can't find what wrong with it. let me know what they find out in your car. thanks

SilverGX

Jul 7 2005, 06:51 PM

Talked with the Tech yesterday -- He told me have had others come in
with a similar noise. From what we tell him, he thinks it is a wind issue.
When Cross wind hit the vehicle just right blowing under it could affect
the cabin pressure flappers in the back. Seems there are some flapper
that allow the interior pressure to be release when a door is shut.

I give this a maybe since at times I do not hear the noise. Its intermittant.

Ask about the tire (Dunlops) but didnt think that could be the issue or
would hear it all the time.

They did put it up on the lift and did some looking but nothing apparent.
It could also be some of the plastic panels (cladding) that vibrates when
air hits just right.

So its another Lexus mystery but not a unusual one

QUOTE(clickart @ Jul 3 2005, 07:13 PM)

QUOTE(SilverGX @ Jul 1 2005, 05:10 PM)

Just put 500 miles on the GX -- There is some kind of noise coming from the
rear area. Not the clunk. It sounds like something loose, maybe some
plastic parts are the cause since only notice it at speed. Its going in
wednesday to have another item checked out so may see if they can put
it up on the lift and just look
[right][snapback]138297[/snapback][/right]

hey SilverGX, i think i have the same noise as you. i brought it in twice but they can't find what wrong with it. let me know what they find out in your car. thanks
[right][snapback]138570[/snapback][/right]

clickart

Jul 9 2005, 07:50 PM

QUOTE(SilverGX @ Jul 7 2005, 06:51 PM)

Talked with the Tech yesterday -- He told me have had others come in
with a similar noise. From what we tell him, he thinks it is a wind issue.
When Cross wind hit the vehicle just right blowing under it could affect
the cabin pressure flappers in the back. Seems there are some flapper
that allow the interior pressure to be release when a door is shut.

I give this a maybe since at times I do not hear the noise. Its intermittant.

Ask about the tire (Dunlops) but didnt think that could be the issue or
would hear it all the time.

They did put it up on the lift and did some looking but nothing apparent.
It could also be some of the plastic panels (cladding) that vibrates when
air hits just right.

So its another Lexus mystery but not a unusual one

QUOTE(clickart @ Jul 3 2005, 07:13 PM)

QUOTE(SilverGX @ Jul 1 2005, 05:10 PM)

Just put 500 miles on the GX -- There is some kind of noise coming from the
rear area. Not the clunk. It sounds like something loose, maybe some
plastic parts are the cause since only notice it at speed. Its going in
wednesday to have another item checked out so may see if they can put
it up on the lift and just look
[right][snapback]138297[/snapback][/right]

hey SilverGX, i think i have the same noise as you. i brought it in twice but they can't find what wrong with it. let me know what they find out in your car. thanks
[right][snapback]138570[/snapback][/right]

[right][snapback]139260[/snapback][/right]

I think the noise we have is because of the wind. when the car is at about 70-80 mph you can hear the noise sometimes if the wind hit at the right spot. at first i thought it because of the rear right fender but i tested it so many times and i don't think it's the fender. oh well, we might have to stuck with this noise, hopefully one day it'll just go away.

MajorHavoc

Nov 23 2005, 02:32 PM

I agree that the GX-470 is a very nice vehicle.
However, this "clunk" should not be tolerated.
Obviously, many people are experiencing it. Lexus needs to address the problem and fix it!!! End of story!

I think Lexus will lose customers as a result!!!

Statman

Nov 23 2005, 11:50 PM

I'm on my second GX..my first one (2003) never clunked and my new (2006) one hasn't either.

zemog

Nov 24 2005, 10:46 AM

I've owned my '06 for about a month, still has the clunk, but not as severe and as often as the '03 I had prior.

Rbohno

Nov 28 2005, 09:53 PM

I just bought a new 05 and was wondering about the clunk everyone was discussing. Well, I was stopped at a red light and it felt like someone bumped me from the rear. It has done that on several other occasions since, is that what everyone is referring to ?

RB

MajorHavoc

Nov 28 2005, 11:04 PM

QUOTE(Rbohno @ Nov 28 2005, 08:53 PM)

I just bought a new 05 and was wondering about the clunk everyone was discussing. Well, I was stopped at a red light and it felt like someone bumped me from the rear. It has done that on several other occasions since, is that what everyone is referring to ?

RB
[right][snapback]166896[/snapback][/right]

That's it!! You've been "clunked"!!!
...welcome to the club!

lenore

Nov 28 2005, 11:11 PM

Oh my, another great design flaw. Buy a toyota, or a ford.