walraven

I have an annoying rattle on my 1991 LS400. It sounds like the front shocks, but they were replaced about 10,000 miles ago. Two shops tell me that there are strut bearings at the top of the spring/shock units that are worn and making the noise, but I can not find any reference to these in my service manual.Could my shocks already be worn out or does anyone have an idea of what might be causing the noise. Only occurs on rough roads.

Thanks!

petrojeff

OK Walraven, I just had this happen to me and I just fixed it. Here goes.. The front rattle in 92 and older LS's comes from the pillow block cushions on the upper control arm. There was a design flaw in these older control arms. I believe it was fixed in late 92 so the 93 and 94's dont have it. The solution is to replace the upper control arm in the side that the rattle is coming from. You cannot buy the pillow blocks separately, therefore you must replace the entire control arm. I'm sure your shocks are okay. You may want to check and see if all of the top four bolts are tightened. You can buy a new control arm from the dealer for $379, or go to a junkyard and get a control arm from a 93 or 94. I got mine from a yard in Minnesota for $100. Removing the control arm is not too bad, except removing the ball joint. I suggest renting a long ball joint puller, and you should have no problem. The entire removal and replacement takes about 2 hours. The Lexus book has the labor @ 2.2 hours, so if you take it in they will charge about $175 to do the job. Once I got mine fixed, the noise went away, and I now have a quiet ride. Good luck!

blkstealthpaid4

let me know if you need one.
I have the driver's side. for a 90

Kizoku

I have a 91' LS and whenever I go over rough spots in a road or bumps, my front end makes a rattling sound.........is this the same problem you are having? I took it to a mechanic and he told me that it was because my rack-and-pinion was leaking and drying out so it made a rattle like sound whenever I hit bumps......the rattling sound is only coming from the right front side......is the real problem a faulty control arm then?? thanks for any help

petrojeff

There is a technical service bulletin dated July 12, 1992 that is titled Front upper control Arm bushing noise. This addresses the titled problem by utilizing a new part manufactured after 12/91. I have never heard of a leaking rack and pinion nor do any of the techinical bulletins talk about it. Therefore the probability that noise from the front end of 92 and older LS's is coming fron the control arm is high indeed. Before doing anything, replace the control arm on the side making noise. Another way to check if the control arm makes noise, is to take the wheel and tire off, and hit the upper control arm with your hand. There should be absolutely nogive nor movement. If you hear or see even the faintest movement or rattle, replace it. Also if you do replace the upper control arm, make sure it was manufactured after 12/91. Control arms from 93's and 94's fit into 94 and older LS's.