Hey guys,

Need your help in finding out where this weird noise is coming from my passanger front wheel well..

The noise started ocurring after replacing one wheel stud and replacing both front rotors. I have gone over and over making sure everything was tight on two seperate days and looking for any play on the wheel and nothing.

The noise sounds like a knocking noise coming from the strut. So i did some test by compressing (pushing down) on top of the strut area and the rebound was very stiff. I inspected the shock for any leaks and found none.

I also thought maybe it was a wheel bearing going bad but the wheel does not wobble and there is no noise at any speed that is constant. I also tested the wheel bearing by pulling on the wheel while mounted and found no Play on it.

So after researching the forum and several other websites i have narrowed the noise down to two things. One being Strut mount and the other being the lower ball joints.

Before i go ahead and replace both i wanted to see if i can get any feedback on someone who had this same exact noise or replaced either one of the two items
I checked my lower ball joints and posted pictures of them to see if anyone can give me some feedback on the them

Front Passanger Lower Ball Joint. (the side the noise is coming from)





Front Driver Side(No noise)





Also posted two videos of the sound .(please adjust your volume to the highest setting. Easiest way to hear it is if you have earphones it makes the noise stand out )

Please click on picture for the video to play

 

Forgot to add that I also tested my sway bar ball joints by disconnecting both sway links and driving one block with the noise still there .

Vehicle is a 2006 IS250 rwd auto
With 86210 miles on the odo.
No mods

 

Is that tie rod end broken and oozing something? Check for any play in it.

 

Yeah its leaking lubricant from the rubber part .. i have moved the mount and it has lots of play in it. has much more play in it than the driver side one.

 

You need to replace it immediately. Loss of steering control could result. The knocking sound probably comes when the ball joint rocks from one side to the other.

 

I would get this resolved ASAP...All it takes is someone pulling out infront of you and you having to swerve to avoid a collision and steering doesnt work as normal resulting in a very bad day for you.

 

No need to worry the car is sitting on jack-stands in my garage. Just wanted to make sure what i needed so i can order the parts .

Is it normal that this part would give out so quickly?

 

to jay90011: Please, I just want to ask you, How did you solve your problem??? What was it?

Was it bad tie rod or lower ball joints or something else?

I have Lexus GS 2000, and I think I have similar problem.

Thank you for your reply!

Mike

 

to jay90011: Please, I just want to ask you, How did you solve your problem??? What was it?

Was it bad tie rod or lower ball joints or something else?

I have Lexus GS 2000, and I think I have similar problem.

Thank you for your reply!

Mike

 

Hey Mike,

Sorry for the late reply but i ended up changing the lower ball joints and the whole strut assembly. After i replaced both the noise was gone.