Needlenose Ned

Yeah - thx Manc. Unfortunately I'm not mechanically minded so don't think I could check myself. However I;m liking the brakes diagnsosis. Don't think its the belt - Lexus stamped it as having a cambelt change and there's also a sticker under the hood confirming it was done. Luckily I have a local garage that I trust who can do me an inspection a lot cheaper than Lexus so I plan to take it in once my Renault Megane has had its service. Funny though, there's no pulling from one side to another which might indicate a brake issue. I wonder if there's some bearings in the driveshaft that might need oiling up or something. It deffo sounds like there's some resistance somewhere, but hey wht do I know?!

wow that does sound sinister given the exact same age and mileage! Reckon there must be plenty of these vehicles done more mileage than ours though, so perhaps not an "inherent" fault. I've not had it properly looked at yet as I have a couple of other vehicles needing more urgent attention but have decided it will definitiely need some diagnosis. I'm thinking suspension/brakes/driveshaft but suspect it will be a needle in a haystack to find - hence lots of money. I will certainly keep you posted if I get anywhere with the fault finding! cheers, Ned

thx for the response Steve. Unfortunately no warranty - bought privately, so no comeback. Lexus were scratching their heads a bit when I took it in - thought it was the wheel bearings but nope. They want £250+ to strip down the driveshaft & although I'm reluctant just to ignore it I'm fairly convinced it will take a lot more manpower to identify the problem. Wondered whether it could be something to do with the handbrake? Seems very loose to me, almost as if it isn't working. Any chance it could be stuck on? There's no noticeable pulling of the car to one side tho and it seems to freewheel OK. But if anything, the sound appears to be rear left. Failing that I think i will have to take my chances - Mark Levinson on and the sunroof open you don't notice it! praps I'm just being too particular on a car that cost me just 7k. It's still very comfy anf I'm loving the performance. Rolling road sounds like the only way to check it - do moast garages have this? cheers, Ned

Morning all, just bought a 2003 LS430 with a few miles on the clock 110k, but a full Lexus service history and recent cambelt change. Overall, pretty happy, but am a bit concerned about a whining noise it appears to have developed. Don't think it was there when I test drove it, but maybe I'm just more used to the otherwise total quiet in the cabin. Car runs quietly up to 25mph or so. After this a noise becomes apparent, starts at a lower pitch becoming progressively higher in pitch until at 70mph or so it sounds like an aircarft. Hard to describe - you'd probably think it was a hybrid if you were sat in it. The noise isn't too loud, but it is noticeable. Doesn't matter what gear I'm in - noise stays the same. Visited Lexus who checked the wheel bearings - wheels moving freely. They said they would have to strip down the driveshaft to see if that was it but it would be v expensive and no guarantee that this would be the problem. I guess my question is - does anyone else notice a sinmilar noise or have any thoughts?? Don't know if its worth spending money on really. Ned