GX550 Overtrail Vibration

[incognito.gx]

I had DT rebalance on Thursday. They found the two on the passenger side were out of whack. Flashed some numbers like 4.5x for one and 1.79 if I remember correctly with the other two being 0's. GX rides better but I can still feel some vibration like before. Plausible that they weren't balanced right in the first place, but has me thinking that at least one of those tires is bad. Will be taking it back in a week to see. Had friends with the Nitto Terra G2's in the past that initially ended up with bad tires. Was hoping the G3's had better quality control.

My issue was tires. I don’t remember the numbers off hand but one was out of spec so dealer was able to convince Lexus to replace all 4 and no issues since. Rides like a dream for a BoF truck

 

[incognito.gx]

Just my $0.02 but I feel like the ‘Normal’ suspension damping is the sweet spot for these trucks. Comfort is too boaty & Sport is too stiff/jittery.

 

[jclaffee]

Just my $0.02 but I feel like the ‘Normal’ suspension damping is the sweet spot for these trucks. Comfort is too boaty & Sport is too stiff/jittery.

Agree. My "Custom" mode is Normal suspension, Sport (or Power or whtever it's called) for drivetrain, and the non-Eco mode for climate. I used Carista to permanently disable the enhanced exhaust sound, so I no longer get that with the Sport drivetrain mode in my Custom setting.

However, driving twisty state highways like up Boulder Canyon, over mountain passes like Red Mountain, or just Molas and Coal Bank, Sport+ mode kicks ass, particularly w EKDSS. Handles surprisingly well.

 

[incognito.gx]

Agree. My "Custom" mode is Normal suspension, Sport (or Power or whtever it's called) for drivetrain, and the non-Eco mode for climate. I used Carista to permanently disable the enhanced exhaust sound, so I no longer get that with the Sport drivetrain mode in my Custom setting.

However, driving twisty state highways like up Boulder Canyon, over mountain passes like Red Mountain, or just Molas and Coal Bank, Sport+ mode kicks ass, particularly w EKDSS. Handles surprisingly well.

Same. Normal Suspension & Sport Drivetrain/Steering. I only drive in Normal or Custom mode

 

[jvmastro]

Been reading this for a few days now...

Just took delivery of 2025 overtrail. Moderate washboard/ripple issue at lower speeds and more severe at 70+

Starting off at DT for a balancing tomorrow and going from there - hoping it is nothing more

 

[biskit]

I just took my 24 OT+ in for 5k. I was in once before for vibration. They rebalanced two tires at 1.8k. This made a slight difference.

This time, I asked them to road force balance my tires. They told me all the tires were flagged as HIGH. I wish they would have given me numbers. Anyway, they replaced all 4 tires and now they are testing within range. I’m hoping to get more details when I pick up.

My vibration was always the 75mph variant. It always felt good at lower speeds.

After the tire replacement, it’s riding smooth now on the highways.

 

[Garauld]

After initially riding smooth, my '25 OT (500 miles) has developed a subtle vibration at speed over 40. I will be getting the balance checked on the tires shortly.

 

[DJ’s Sled]

In spite of trying a different set of tires and varying tire pressures, my 2024 OT vibration really seems to have become worse overtime, even on extremely new and perfectly smooth roads. At various speeds.
It’s as if the shocks are wearing normally..but the AVS electronic calibration can’t keep up. My wife, who has remained patiently quiet during the past several months..is now not happy and is surprised and disappointed it doesn’t ride smooth enough anymore.
I’ve lost my patience too.
I just want to lose the AVS and stock shocks. That one of my goals for a suspension upgrade.

Don.

 

[Garauld]

I just want to lose the AVS and stock shocks.

I wonder how the ride changes if you pull off the shock connectors.

 

[incognito.gx]

In spite of trying a different set of tires and varying tire pressures, my 2024 OT vibration really seems to have become worse overtime, even on extremely new and perfectly smooth roads. At various speeds.
It’s as if the shocks are wearing normally..but the AVS electronic calibration can’t keep up. My wife, who has remained patiently quiet during the past several months..is now not happy and is surprised and disappointed it doesn’t ride smooth enough anymore.
I’ve lost my patience too.
I just want to lose the AVS and stock shocks. That one of my goals for a suspension upgrade.

Don.

Thats awful man. Has to be a faulty AVS sensor

 

[KAR120C]

I don't understand how changing the damping rate (AVS) would induce a vibration. Vibration typically comes from some type of cyclic motion. Most likely an imbalanced rotating component (like wheel/tires, shafts, etc).

If it's produced by the wheel/tire/brake, AVS could certainly amplify a vibration in Sport, or reduce it in Comfort, but someone will have to explain to me how disabling it would eliminate it. Or even how changing the shocks would eliminate it.

Every vibration I've ever had in a vehicle has come down to either poor balancing, out of round wheel or tire, or a hard spot in the tire. Usually this can be fixed through a road force balance.

I love the AVS system and would not get rid of it because of a vibration. I can still be schooled, but would bet it's not the culprit.

 

[nonamex]

A new owner of a 25 Premium + came to buy my tonneau cover today and asked me to ride in his car to feel the vibration.

I thought it felt normal although I could feel the imperfections of the road.

He asked to ride in my vehicle which has been modified with a lift and larger AT tires. He said my vehicle felt smoother and more plush.

I advised the 20” wheels are probably not helping the ride. He’s contemplating changing the suspension.

 

[DJ’s Sled]

I wonder how the ride changes if you pull off the shock connectors.

I thought about that.
I believe I recall someone on here had pulled the fuse(s) for the AVS, to no avail. That led the poster to conclude it wasn’t directly the AVS electronics, but something else.

Obviously I’m not sure what the issue is..I’m currently suspecting the shock and spring combination, where the engineers tried to dial them in to match the AVS, but kinda missed the mark.
Maybe someday we’ll have an after market solution that plugs into and directly utilizes the Lexus AVS. But that would require some special work and coordination with Lexus engineering.
I generally like the AVS idea and system too, it’s really cool.
But I’m not sure how compatible the current AVS and related components are with other desired goals some of us have.
More and more recently I’ve found myself disappointed with the suspension no matter which drive mode I select. I would describe it as wanting a somewhat more robust, confident and capable feeling set of components underneath.
So with a few goals in mind, and some thinking, reading and discussion I’ve decided to give it a go. I’m actually trying to improve a really, really good vehicle.
I really love the car. It’s almost always my first choice out of the garage. I’ll still be able to dial up the power, the eco mode, and retain essentially all the off-road goodies, etc.

 

[Garauld]

The wife started to "notice" the vibration so I checked the balance today on all 5 tires (515 odo). I have a set of balancing bearing blocks on which I can place a shaft thru the wheel hole/hub and gravity will define the heavy side. I had to make an adapter for the Lexus wheels and it now works great. My findings: #1 wheel was on LF and needed 29g of tape weight to balance. #2 was on RF and needed 31g, #3 was on RR and was OK, #4 was on LR and needed 24g, and #5 was my spare and was OK. According to Google, the wheel should be re-balanced if 5g or more would be needed. My balancing equipment seemed to be sensitive to 1-2 grams. I took a test drive and all seems nice and smooth - a GOOD thing!

 

[RPMSTL]

Does anyone using the term 'vibration' feel like they are driving on a washboard? Or, do you feel
a shaking of the vehicle? Any feel in the steering wheel or pedals?

I have a feeling we may be discussing 2 separate issues.

Despite lower psi (32), new wheels and 3 balancing efforts - mine still has the rapid up/down washboard effect.
Wheels seem perfectly balanced as occasionally it rides great. But only on the very best of roads.
60mph+ is where it generally starts. Rides great at slower speeds.

Definitely feels like suspension. It is not constant either. It acts a little different
on different road surfaces. On a given section of road it may go from quite smooth to very rough when
I do not notice the surface of the road changing.

It seems like the suspension is hyper sensitive to small undulations in the road surface and once the suspension
starts to try and smooth things out, it overcorrects and starts a washboard effect.

If you are a full suspension mountain biker - its like the rebound, compression and/or psi are set way too high.
Its more bouncy than floaty.

I too am waiting for someone to come up with a fix or replacement option. Would likely be quite expensive if integrated into AVS.

Dealer SA (who owns a GX 550 ) agrees GX's in general do not ride very well at speed and has no Idea of a possible solution.

Just looking for a more Lexus-like highway ride - especially in comfort mode.

 

[DJ’s Sled]

I agree with your descriptives above.
In my case it was like a jittery ride, it would come and go. Even on very new and super smooth blacktop. The mountain bike analogy is good.

 

[reaganomics]

Does anyone have any case numbers that they opened with Lexus to reference?

My 25' P+ finally went into the dealer last week (after the third full set of tires). Spent 2 days at Westside Lexus. Tech and Lead Tech both agreed it didn't ride right. Not sure what all they inspected, but they didn't find anything wrong. Lead tech is supposed to open a case for me. Still waiting on that to be confirmed. Would like to arm it with other's info if possible.

My washboard jitter really starts kicking in at 20mph on any surface, even the smoothest.

 

[incognito.gx]

Does anyone have any case numbers that they opened with Lexus to reference?

My 25' P+ finally went into the dealer last week (after the third full set of tires). Spent 2 days at Westside Lexus. Tech and Lead Tech both agreed it didn't ride right. Not sure what all they inspected, but they didn't find anything wrong. Lead tech is supposed to open a case for me. Still waiting on that to be confirmed. Would like to arm it with other's info if possible.

My washboard jitter really starts kicking in at 20mph on any surface, even the smoothest.

Ask them to look for AVS error codes

 

[RPMSTL]

I checked my washboard for AVS error codes and all was clean.

 

[reaganomics]

Ask them to look for AVS error codes

Thanks for the tip. Does P+ have AVS? I realize this thread is titled OT, but seeing all the reports, I don't believe this issue is limited to OT features.

Could this be an issue with wheel bearings?