rzj90059

Ok so every time I go over a speedbump, my rear end makes a crackling sound. The ride is terrible. Tell me what I need? My budget is about $120/bi-weekly.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

linkages.
sway bar bushings.

GEORGE_JET

sway bar bushings and end links are one of the first things to look at, but there could be other things that can cause these symptoms. Could you please elaborate on the "ride is terrible" statement?
To isolate the sway bar/bushings. Disconnect the lower end links, and secure them to the bar. Then drive it over a couple speed bumps.

Other issues could be bad shock absorber bushings, the spring pads can be worn out, and a couple other parts.

rzj90059

By "ride of terrible" i mean bad, it seems that over any bump i go my whole car receives the impact. This is my first Lexus and I know you would recommend going to someone who knows how to do this, but be a little more specific when you give me instructions on what to do. Thanks

GEORGE_JET

Ok, before you try the sway bar, first check to see if the shocks are working properly. Stand behind the car and start bouncing the car up and down (with your foot on the rear bumper). You want to bounce it as hard as possible. Step back and see how quickly the car stops bouncing. It should stop almost imediately, if it bounces several times, the shocks are bad and should be replaced. Also note if you hear noises as you are doing this, and what they sound like. If you are familiar with what shocks look like, go under the car and inspect them. Often the rubber mounting grommets are shot, once they go it can really make all sorts of noises.

If you need to lift the car to inspect the rear end, get a good set of jackstands.
NEVER TRUST a car jack for anything.
Make sure when the car is on a jack, that you are clear of the car. It can fall, and assume that it will. Harbor freight sell a resonably priced set of sturdy stands fairly cheap. Also make sure that the car is on a level surface, and that you block the wheels ( a few scraps of 2x4 is enough to keep the car from rolling ). Of course give everything else a good visual inspection.

llcoolpass

yeah worn shocks, springs, MISSING rubber bump stops classic, especially on rear