copy252

i noticed when i cold start, put in drive, i here like a loud clunk and then its over.... good till another cold start. but after getting the newst flash for the tranny.... it does it on EVERY start and drive. BUT.... if i put into park and leave it running... then drive away. its ok! WTF IS THIS MADNESS!!!! almost sounds like its coming from under the car btw

Tammy

How many miles on your 2002?

I would suspect a defective CV joint.

How is the condiction of the transmission fluid?

steviej

iTrader: (1)

are you parked on a level surface and do you engage the ebrake before you put it into park before those cold start-up times?

steviej

copy252

02 es300 with 58,050 on it. everything seems perfect with the car. i engage the ebrake whenever im parked and 19 outta 20 times its level. i thought it might be the ebrake but i tried to not use it and it does the same thing. its not when shifting (i think thats what yall might b thinking) its when i put it in drive or reverse and pull off. 2 seconds after acceling it goes clunk! and thats it! over! wierdest thing. i did notice after getting the newest tranny flash, it does it more. maybe i can blame it on lexus?!?!?! lol. idk wtf is going on

ps... tranny fluid is nice and red and it smells good. no burning or dirt/grime from what i can tell. i was thinking it may be a tsb on it or a recall? cant find a good resourse to find out tho!

Pheonix

It's not. Just you.
Check the dogbone mount. May have worn out faster than normal.

copy252

now what in the **** is a dogmount !!!!!!

Tammy

It is the upper engine mount, visable atop the right side of the engine. It has rubber inserts that break free of the mount.

copy252

is there a way you can maybe help point out this to me.... .... .... im car dumb so.... yeah

Tammy

With the hood open, standing in front of the right headlamp and the right edge of the radiator, look down at the engine. You'll see the serpentine belt that drives the alternator and air conditioner. Directly above the belt is the mount of the T-Bone. The other end is connected to the body, near the strut mount.

copy252

welp, motor mounts are fine and heres a new twist. i pushed in the brake when it does the clunk (seeing its so frequent now i can time it) and it makes like a dragging cllllluuuuuuuuunkkkkk when i do. i also get feedback in the pedal from it. i had the front brakes and rotors changed yesterday and it still does it! any other opinions?

Tammy

We're back to the CV joints, inner and outer, located as part of the half shafts that are driving the front wheels. There should be no twisting play in these connectors when checked in PARK, front wheels in the air.

In addition, the front bearing hubs have a bad bearing. This is doubtful, with your mileage.

Replacing the front rotors, the individual would not have checked the hub bearings or the drive shafts, unless directed to...

Choas

When you say it makes a clunk from under the car is it directly under you or infront of you?

copy252

OK... HERES AN UPDATE! the mystery clunk is still there. like i said when i press the brake, it does it slower sounding and feedback in the pedal. i just got an alianment and yep, stioll doing it. they looked at the front and everything looks A ok so im lsot and so is my mechanic.

copy252

so i see im not the only one stumped here huh?

Tammy

If not the CV joints, then the problem is in the transmission.

Might be time for a Lexus trained mechanic.