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Comments
Regarding the rear air suspension. I test drove a '99 LX470 when we bought our '03 Sequoia and felt the suspension was kind of mushy like we were floating. I didn't have a solid feel for the road. Is that due to the air suspension?
As I'm not going to do any towing I'd like to do without the rear air suspension. Might not enjoy resultant ride. However, want most of the other luxury items.
From what you wrote car may fly out. Seems like this is one to wait for and test ride ASAP. Any related advise appreciated. Thanks again.
Second, the leather covering factory airbags, at least the ones mounted in seat backs, have "weakened" seam lines for easy exit of the airbag as it activates.
Absent those weak seams most of the airbag's explosive force might be used up TEARING the leather open.
According to info from Toyota, the tow rating is going to go up 600-800 pounds.
Some aftermarket leather claims to be designed for the side airbags. Our dealership won't install leather with side airbags due to potential liability, not any real data. Some installers (like ours) will work directly with a customer though. By the way, the '05 has 1st and 2nd row curtain airbags, with rollover sensing.
http://img33.photobucket.com/albums/v98/bp3959/
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/catalog/tires/allterraintak- o.jsp
http://www.michelinman.com/catalog/tires/MichelinLTXMS.html
Again, I not trying to be combative, I really like the tires I picked but if there's something out there that's better I'd like to find out.
The most probable cause would be tires. Some tires just don't ride very good, but if it's severe one of your tires(or more) could have slight imperfections in them causing this. Next time you buy tires, have a matchmount done on the tires in addition to a normal balancing. Something else I always have done is a force balance( http://www.patgosscarworld.com/road_force_analysis.htm ) which checks for problems in sidewall stiffness(most shops should be able to do this these days), most of the time this is something that can't be worked around and they will simply use another tire if problems are found. Maybe others on this forum that don't have this problem can post what tires they have on their Sequoia.
The differentials could very well be the cause of the vibration, something to try is switching to a different type of diff fluid. Here's a link with more information on diagnosing differential problems http://www.4x4now.com/gt0699.htm
If you have warped brake rotors(not uncommon on a vehicle this heavy), this could definately cause exactly what you described, and it's a relatively inexpensive part to replace(don't bother having them turned, that's generally used for pits or grooves).
The symptoms you describe could also indicate an alignment problem, which may or may not be accompanied by shaking in the steering wheel and pulling to one side. Even if you don't need it, having an alignment done isn't a bad idea.
You could also have a defect in your propeller shaft, I'm not sure of the exact procedure for checking this but the dealer or any competent shop should be able check this out.
You should do a closeup examination of your rims. Alloy rims are pretty weak and a bent rim will cause your symptoms.
Don't let your dealer BS you about this, the Sequoia is an expensive luxury vehicle designed to give a luxury ride, but keep in mind that the vibration could very well be cause by something the dealer isn't responsible for.
Hope this helps, I've tried to include everything I could think of, good luck with this annoying(and potentially dangerous) problem.
tidester, host
1) It gets louder the faster you go (above 90mph it's VERY loud)
2) It's more pronounced when you run in the "slack" of the drive train. That is, when you are running inbetween accelerating and deccelerating.
3) It's loudest when the drivetrain is hot (long trips)
I guessed it was the rear differential only because that's what's being powered in 2wd mode. Is that a correct assessment?
I've also considered the wheel bearings, but would that change intensity moving between accelerating and deccelerating?
Thanks for your help1
1. You've mentioned that the vibration changes depending on whether you are accelerating or decelerating, does the sound you're hearing noticeably change as well?
2. What type of sound are you hearing(hum, howl, grinding, etc..)
3. What speed does the sound appear at(differential problems usually can't be heard below 25)?
4. Is there any pronounced clunking or clanging noise when shifting between drive, reverse, and neutral? If so, have someone you TRUST shift through the gears while you use your ear to determine the location the sound is coming from.
5. Over inflate your tires(within the safe limits of your particular tires), does the sound and vibration you are experiencing change? Don't forget to drop back normal inflation when you're done.
6. Jack up the truck and spin each wheel by hand, does it turn smoothly and without noise(btw, wheel bearings will give off the same sound regardless of acceleration or deceleration)?
7. Does the sound/vibration have a steadily increasing intensity, or does it start a little at low speeds, then become really noticeably all of a sudden at 50-60?
8. Any difference in symptoms while cornering?
9. Any difference in symptoms if you get up to speed and switch into neutral?
10. Do you tow or load heavy items in the truck on a regular basis that causes the rear to sag(an excessive angle of operation can destroy U-joints)?
11. Has the dealer performed a driveshaft imbalance test?
Feel free to post answers as you get them, instead of waiting to gather all of them at once.
I have replaced various tires(Bridgestone, Dunlops, Goodyear) with Michelins on my 4 4-runners. The Michelins ride nicer, have better grip, last longer, and, to me, are a better value than any of the other tires. I currently have a set of Dunlops on my 2003 4-runner, and with only 27k miles, they are losing grip. There is still plenty of tread on these tires, but they slip in the wet.(And before you ask, no I do not drive like a maniac on wet surfaces to see if they will hold the road.) The Bridgestones I had on a previous model started to lose grip at 12k. If there were a Michelin-shod vehicle on the lot when I was picking up my new one, I would insist on having the Michelins put on my new vehicle. Unfortunately, I do not seem to have that kind of luck. Most of the 4-runners were either Bridgestone or Dunlops for the 2003 model.
Again, this is just my opinion, but one that I have based on my experiences.
After searching this forum and the GX one for "noise" and "window" I realize that I should have included the Sequoia and the GX470 along with the RX and HL.
The following was posted on the Toyota LC and the Lexus LX forums.
LC & LX owners, HL and RX owners need your help. Many of these owners have posted complaints about the eardrum busting helicopter noise generated within the vehicle with a single rear window down and clipping along at hwy speeds.
From my own experience I know historically of this problem. My 68 and 72 Ford station wagons were subject to this effect but by simply lowering the rear liftgate glass slightly I could eliminate the effect.
I notice that the LC, and maybe the LX, have cabin airflow exhauster ports which are mounted above the "beltline", one on each side of your vehicles.
Do those exhauster ports and their "high mount" location allow enough cabin air outflow to prevent the helicopter sound in the LC and LX? Or are have you seen the same type of complaint?
For reference read:
Toyota Highlander Owners: Problems and solutions at post 1490 on...
There, problem solved. Perhaps this inane issue can be put to bed now.
THD
It is a large vehicle and if you are the type to brake late for stop signs or you are used to braking hard on hills, etc, you will wear out the brakes quickly on a Sequoia.
If you need full text, ask the service writer. Or your local library may subscribe to the Alldata service.
Steve, Host
I've also had my oil pressure gauge replaced twice, and did I mention
having the automatic transmission replaced? Yes, the interior scratches
easily.
This is my fifth Toyota, and probably the last. The service is good, but a car this young should not have these problems.
I hope the dealer covered this for you. They have for me.
Does anyone know when the 2005 will be on sale?
I recently got a quote from my local Credit union's car buying rep that is much better than any dealer's. Thec catch is all the cars he can sell have cloth. He mentioned that after market leather costs around $1299. But I'm concerned about the warranty and airbags. This particular car has a side curtain airbag. Does that have anything to do with the seats and how does this affect the warranty?
Appreciate any insights.
I decided to go with a vehicle with the PM option instead. I haven't bought it yet. Do you know if the vehicle is avaliable in black as one tone or is it always 2 tone except for the silver.
Binoy
See:
NHTSA press release
and
NCAP Ratings
Steve, Host