LEX ES300

Well, I have suffered long enough with the common ES problem of the noisy front end!!

Usually the problem is caused by the strut mounts, bushings and the struts themselves. The noise is normally heard when the car is cold, but can disappear for a time when the car is hot.

The whole task of fixing the problem can become quite $$$$ so I was hoping to just get away with replacing the bushings and the strut mounts. For a lot of people this can solve the problem but unfortunately for me when my mechanic was about to replace the strut mounts he checked the struts and showed me that one of my struts is on the way out, so I had to cancel the job and fork out big $$$ and get 'the works'. (He did replace the bushings but no effect on the noise)

Mechanically I want to keep the car original so I had to order all the parts from Lexus in Japan. - It has taken a few months but finally I have the parts!

New bushes (already fitted), new bearings, new strut mounts:


And........



NEW OEM STRUTS!


Just got to book a time with the mechanic now.
I will let you know how I get on.

LEX ES300

Lexucan

Oooooh...look at all those shiny new parts!!!
Hey good luck! I'll be watching for your report after the work is done.

esucaris1

funny my es makes noise in the rear maybe some day ill get around to it...

Rollin'ES3

Nice fix I think I have the exact same problem

Did your ES make the noise over bumps, like 2 metals tapping kinda sound?

Mine only made it in the cold too.

RawGin

ahh i have that same problemm!!! but i dont want to make any replacements yett cuz i wanna convert it all to air ride!

LEX ES300

Yeah, made the noise. But it's funny that my car only made the tapping sound over fairly small bumps in road - anything else and you'd hardly hear it. I tried to get my mechanic to hear the sound for himself but the car would usually get warm by the time he drove it. Noise is definately coming from the front, and slightly worse on one side too.

I've done a lot of reasearch on the net about the problem so I'm hoping this puts a stop to it once and for all!

LEX ES 300

Rollin'ES3

Wow The way you explained it sounds as if you drove my car. Mine is coming from the right front side, and only on smaller bumps like you said.

I asked a tech I know and he told me it might be the top bushing for the struts. But I never got around to check it.

I may as well wait till I get 4 coilovers, then the problem wont be there. Till then I can wait, its not that bad.

Hope it fixes

charley240

iTrader: (6)

to be truthful, since youre already doing so much, may i suggest:

front lower control arm bushings
new cv boots from toyota
new engine, tranny and dogbone mounts.

it makes a world of difference.
goodluck
Charley

LEX ES300

Woah! New engine and tranny Charley??? - err that may be a bit extreme. My 97 only has the equivalent to about 75,000 US miles on it. Car and engine is in outstanding condition for it's year. It's not even due for it's first timing belt change yet.

I will have a look at the other items you suggested, and save the rest for if I win lotto

Cheers ,

LEX ES300

charley240

iTrader: (6)

lotto..? pssshhh. for me its the powerball. lol

well, depending on weather conditions etc, these are mounts made of rubber or the likes, its something that will wear with age and driving conditions and weather. so... goodluck though

it will be fun....... jk. it wont, but in the end its victory.

charley

Ariyanna

hey (Lex ES300) do those struts have a manufacturer make on them stamped or sticker on them? Is it possible you can look on one of those struts to see who makes them?

Bombsquad

Hey LEX ES300..in AUD$ approximately how expensive were all the parts? I'm gonna have to attack mine soon enough, same noise as yours for sure. Plus my rear tyres are scraping when I go over bumps with any weight in the back, so my rears prolly need doing too. As u know I have the same size tyres as yours.

Hope this all works out for you..

LEX ES300

Hi,

I had a look at the stuts and they are engraved/stamped mainly with Japanese symbols/ and also numbers, but I do see the letters 'KYB'!!!

Cheers,

LEX ES300

LEX ES300

Thanks Bombsquad,

Parts so far have cost me about - $1,250 AUS . All new genuine Lexus/Toyota parts though

Now just gotta fork out $$$ to get my mechanic to install all the parts!

LEX ES300

Bombsquad

holy! That is a fine car you have there, with all the good stuff going into it. Now quickly paint the whole thing black and put on a Honda Accord body kit!

Seriously though, great job!