rantexson:
Nice work you doing bro, i'm really overwhelmed and motivated. More grease to your steaming elbows.

Emperoh:
When will Abuja be blessed with your type? I come here everyday to learn...... Keep it up biko.

Emperoh:
Had a learning experience i do like to share here. . . . . .

Car: Lexus ES330
Year: 2005

So over a period of time, i just notice some sort of vibration on my car starting at 60km/hr.
Was quite disturbing since no amount of wheel balancing and alignment solved my problem. I think i even reported the case here.

Went to my mechanic and did a test drive with him. Closer observation showed weak front Stabiliser linkages and suspension bushings. He suggested they could be the cause. I had both parts changed and then a test drive. This somewhat reduced the vibration but did not solve the problem well enough. Still felt tingles at 70 and increased vibration at 80km upwards.

We fixed to meet following day for closer examination. We discovered a binding brake on left front wheel. One of the Caliper pistons was stuck out and the rubber linings also worn, causing a sort of hydraulic leakage. Mind you, there wasn't any hydraulic shortage too. Mechanic also attributed a type of gripping sound i heard on acceleration from a static position to the binding brake, but didn't specifically say it caused the vibration. We looked for the rubber linings but couldn't find any to re-kit the caliper. I also noticed that the brake discs i bought and changed last December were already warped Also, brake pads on the left front wheel totally worn!!

I asked them to couple the legs and let me have my car since they couldn't get the re-kit materials for the caliper. I was already making arrangements to order the part from Lagos when i decided to try out Apo mechanic village (my first time going there since i moved to Abuja). I also gave them all through Thursday to see if they can find a replacement caliper for the car or the rubber kit.

By Friday, with no response from the mechanic guys, i headed to Apo. Got there and took out the offending caliper. No matching part was found, as the most common for the 2005 Camry was single piston caliper, while mine was double piston. I insisted on what i needed. Eventually, some dude came and took the old one and left. Came back 30 minutes later, with my caliper rekitted . I got a new pair of brake pads and reinstalled on the car.

Meanwhile, i went for another round of wheel balancing before the caliper fix. So i kinda noticed an improved driving with no much vibrations. In fact i drove to the airport and back with no issues the saturday after the Friday i did an alignment. So it was hard for me to pick out that the vibrations were completely gone after the caliper service.

Fast forward 3 weeks later, and a trip to Kaduna inbetween, the vibrations paid me another visit
Just returned from an official trip and my car parked for 3 days. I made to move it out for work the next day and i heard this sound like something being let of a strong grip. I paid not much attention to it. Car drove smoothly to work on Thursday. But on Friday, omo, the vibrations came back. I couldn't do much as i left town the following day and returned on Monday morning.

Moved the car out a parked position and heard the same gripping sound again. I decided to pay less attention to it until wknd, and with the benefit of holidays, i would have time for it and to get to the bottom of this nonsense

But on Tuesday, after several rounds and all runs, the car became practically undriveable at any speed beyond 50km/hr. Could see the passenger front seats shaking. None of my two trust mechanics were available. One eventually asked me to return at 2pm since he was engaged. Well, i went to some third guy who works on a number of my colleagues car, who asked to go do an alignment. My insistence it was not an alignment issue was rebuffed. I asked him to refer me to someone and he did. I struck a deal with the alignment guy, if alignment didn't solve the wahala, I won't pay! And he set to work. When he finished, a test drive showed no difference.

I also noticed that at initial start up, when the wheel is relatively cold, the vibration goes away and return with intensity when hot. Well, i managed the car to my mechanic's workshop and somehow, met him. We fixed an appointment for this morning. He couldn't work on it yesterday as he was busy. I just queued and got fuel, sorted a number internet issues I had, used an ATM and was driving home when i just thought of ringing the second mechanic. Lo, he was back and asked me to come. I bought banana and drove to his shop, i anticipation of a long diagnosis and repair and maybe a sleep over (my car) at his workshop.

He test drove the car and was telling me about considering changing my tires but somehow, noticed that my brakes were binding. We could even perceive some brake odour at shot stops. Lo, the right front wheel was binding. When in drive, the car won't even lunge forward. On neutral on a slope, the car is static. The slight gripping sound on braking also noticed. While i noticed these sounds, it never occurred to me they were the cause of the vibrations.

We dismantled the caliper and discovered one of the pistons were stuck out. Took the caliper to Apo and serviced the caliper and reinstalled. Did a test drive and my car was sailing smoothly at 140km/hr. I will have another set of balancing and alignment later today to solve a slight tingle at 120km. Also planning on changing my rotors once more.

So ends my long story

GAZZUZZ:


You are better off buying a single piston tokumbor calliper, than servicing the old one.

There might be ware on the bore, or the seals may be worn.

gtswt:
Nice job OP!

GAZZUZZ:
Rx350

Sway bar replacement and tie rod end inner right side replacement.

Procedure I used.

Steering rack down, engine beam lowered, propeller detached.

Please ensure the joint between steering and rack is marked before starting the job. That way you don't mess up the steering angle.

Also you need two containers to collect powersteering oil and gear oil when drained so you don't mess up the floor.

GAZZUZZ:
After installing return every thing back in reverse order.

Allign wheels top up fuilds (power steering and gear oil for axle and propeller) using synthetic fluids will keep your steering and axle in good shape.

Washed and ready to go.

Dedicated to



[size=1pt]lomomike[/size]

chukel:
I no understand. Are u saying this ride did not come with sway bar Who come de responsible for that? A white kazeem?

diportivo:
Oga gazzuzz,iv called u twice dis mornin

U still dey sleep?

GAZZUZZ:


Sway bar de break

This one got damaged when link was removed, lots of rust.

diportivo:
Oga gazzuzz,iv called u twice dis mornin

U still dey sleep?

GAZZUZZ:


Genesis 2:2

lomomike:


Chief, happy sunday! Have my friend with the RX300 spoken to you yet, if he has, what's the latest?

No vex I no wan call and disturb you due to your schedule and I feel you need some rest hence my posting via the Nairaland forum.

GAZZUZZ:


Called and asked for an address, I was swamped withwork told himm I'll send it, got so many calls and could not locate his number on my phone again.

Please tell him to call again.