Advice please folks - my Lexus IS250 rattle box

[garystu1965]

I originally posted this on the Lexus forum but I'd appreciate the thoughts of the peeps on here.... Do you think this is something the manufacturer needs to answer ?

After going to the dealers twice to have dreadful rattles fixed they've come back again. There is an annoying rattle from around the armrest area that I just cannot locate.

It went away for a few months but is back with a vengeance. It's a constant rattle even when driving on a smooth road ! The worst thing though is the very noticeable creak around the top of the door window fram (in the corner near my right ear). I originally thought it was from inside the seat belt housing but I now know it's caused by the door frame black seal. I know this because after I shut the door if I wedge a piece of card in the corner of the frame at the top the creak goes away.

Because of the rattles and creaks it just not feel like a quality car and I'm fed up with it now.

The problem is the dealers are so helpful and try their best to fix. They bend over backwards letting me drop it in for 3 days to let them have a proper look at it, getting a techy to ride in the car with me to try to locate the rattles and the usual great Lexus service.

But they are fighting against an awful product. Ok I know that not everyone suffers from these rattles and creaks but once you've got them they can't seem to fix it.

Last time I emailed customer service to say what a disasterous experience this car is and can someone from customer service speak to me about it there are serious issues with the product. But no they just forward it to my dealer and they have to put up with me whingeing again.

I don't want to be hassling my dealers and want some answers off Lexus.

With regards the door creaks it's more than just rattles it feels like the doors are loose in effect !

Am I being unreasonable to expect to be driving a fairly rattle free car for £32k or should I be putting up with a car that feels like it has been put together with paper clips ?

Does the manufacturer really care or do they just want to bat it back the the local dealer and let them sort it out ?

I'll never get another Lexus again and I've had three now.

 

[Dieselman]

For the door seal why not rub some vaselene or silicone spray on it. What about taking the console out and trying it then.

 

[garystu1965]

Thanks. What does that do ? Soften it up ?

 

[jaymanek]

That is odd.. My brother has a 2000 IS200 and it feels pretty solid to drive, completely silent..

Assume it must be an issue with the new shape..

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks. What does that do ? Soften it up ?

No.
The door is sticking to the rubber seal so creaks when it moves just a bit. The Vaseline/talcum powder/silicone allows it to slide over the rubber so it doesn't creak.

 

[garystu1965]

That is odd.. My brother has a 2000 IS200 and it feels pretty solid to drive, completely silent..

Assume it must be an issue with the new shape..

Oh tell me about it. I get people on the Lexus forum saying that their car is rattle free. "Great - thanks !" I reply.

 

[bennesspipers]

You could always go t Trading Standards, my neighbour had big trouble with the local vauxhall dealer on a 2 year old car that he'd had faults on since new, & T/S got the car swopped for him.

 

[garystu1965]

No.
The door is sticking to the rubber seal so creaks when it moves just a bit. The Vaseline/talcum powder/silicone allows it to slide over the rubber so it doesn't creak.

Genius ! It works. I've only put a small bit on (in the dark) and it is definitely better. Quick question about the silicon ? What actually do I buy please ? I am off to the shops in a bit so if anyone can answer this ASAP that would be most appreciated ! Is silicon better than vaseline ? I assume it is a small tube of silicon grease like here.....

http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/silicone.htm

or a spray ?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_219033_langId_-1_categoryId_165705

 

[trapperjohn]

Try Silicone Grease M494. £6.99 last time I purchased some (about Feb this year) Should be in Autofactor type shops.

 

[garystu1965]

oh ignore me I think I've just answered my own question. The Halford one says it eliminates window squeaks and sticking so I think thats the one.

 

[PXW]

Oh tell me about it. I get people on the Lexus forum saying that their car is rattle free. "Great - thanks !" I reply.

You can get people telling you that their IS250 is rattle free here as well

 

[Tiff]

A more permanent repair would be to move the door striker on the 'B' post in a fraction, may well tighten the door against the seal,and stop it moving.

 

[garystu1965]

A more permanent repair would be to move the door striker on the 'B' post in a fraction, may well tighten the door against the seal,and stop it moving.

Thanks.. Eek how do I do that ?

ps Thanks Dieselman and trapperjohn for the silicon tip. It has worked to all intents and purposes but I think I may need to put some more on. I don't think I've put enough on.

 

[Tiff]

It'll wear off periodically, we used to do it to Mk3 Astras under warranty. The 4 door ones had a plastic strip on the B post,betwen the doors, and the doors squeaked like mad. We were told to spray them with silicone,but the noise came back after a week or 2..

The catch on the post, where the door latches on to. Slacken the bolts slightly, these may be allen keys or torx, move the latch in very slightly, maybe 2-3 mm to start the re tighten,and see if this helps. If the door "bounces" on to its safety catch,you've gone too far.

OR,
put your knee on the sill, at the rear of the door,just under the window,and tug the window frame slightly. lower the glass first! BE CAREFUL, as it doesn't take much force to bend it.