Leets

For as long as I've had my 01 ES it's made a slight squeaking noise in the rear. It was barely noticeable at first, but in the past couple weeks it's become a whole lot more apparent. I searched both CL and Alldata and can't seem to find this issue on any other 01. Any thoughts?

lexusk8

Check the condition of your strut mounts and struts. They are probably leaking and/or on their way out. I had to replace the rear struts in my '01 ES a while ago. When I took my car in for a brake fluid flush, the mechanic showed me how bad my rear struts were after 117,000 miles I knew right then they needed to be changed ASAP.

Leets

thanks for the advice, but I've already rulled that out. I just changed the struts about a month ago, and the noise was the same before and after the new struts went in. I did the install myself and inspected each part before it went back on the car. I'm thinking it's one of the lower suspension parts, but with only 63k miles on the car it seems a bit premature to start hearing squeaks.

Pheonix

Sway bar mounts.

xxxavier2k

Yup it's the sway bar mounts. Lube them w/ WD40 or something

Leets

Really? Even with the stock rubber?

Well, since it seems it's gonna squeak anyway, should I go ahead and upgrade to poly? I doubt the poly mounts will provide a significant difference in handling, but since I get them dirt cheap and the stock rubber's already done (I'm assuming that's why it's squeaking) then you guys think it's worth it?

... and thanks for all the help... it's definitely appreciated.

Pheonix

Ya, there is some kind of grease that's applied to them & as the grease wears off the rubber squeaks. Also happens if the end links, or the mounts get a little loose - tho normally they freeze on & are a pain to get off.