Lou, heal quickly, just think of what a movie star you'll look like now
gives new meaning to breath deeply in the very cold air...no.
very pleased that AI solved another problem for me, my concern over a little thump in my car when
taking off. Very tiny feeling like slack is being taken up. And I found out it is. If I had said anything to the dealer,
thank goodness I didn't, they would have suggested replacing the entire assembly. Bet that yoke just needs a little cleaning and some
careful lube.
all this was free on Google. I wonder for how long...
2019 Lexus GX460 in starting out is it normal to have any play in drivetrain
Thinking
Searching
Yes, a small amount of play or a slight
"thump" or "bump" feeling in the drivetrain when starting out or decelerating to a stop is a known and generally considered
normal characteristic of the Lexus GX 460, including the 2019 model. It is often related to the design of the rear driveshaft slip yoke.
Common Cause: Driveshaft Slip Yoke
The primary cause for this sensation in the GX460 platform is the movement within the rear driveshaft slip yoke. The slip yoke allows the driveshaft to adjust in length as the suspension moves. Over time, friction can cause it to bind slightly, then release with a noticeable "jerk" or "thump" as you start moving from a stop or come to a halt.
- Not Dangerous: This condition is generally not considered a safety hazard or indicative of a major problem.
- Common Across Years: It has been a common characteristic reported by owners and master technicians for many years of the GX model line, including the 2019 model.
- Dealer Acknowledgment: Lexus even issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) for model years including 2016-2022 to address the "thump" or "bump" feeling by replacing the rear propeller shaft assembly in some cases.
and then the plot thickens...dug in further to TSB and sure enough it's the old fashioned grease zerks involved.
When I asked the dealer service rep about greasing the zerks, he asked me what was a zerk. So will definitely have them greased next time
it's on a lift. Cars don't have zerks any more but this old model still has two on that long driveshaft
so now I know what causes it and how to fix it. Or likely how to reduce it since it seems normal
Routine greasing of Zerk fittings on both front and rear shafts (using Molly grease for slip yokes) is crucial maintenance to prevent these issues.