steveski

So it cannot be upper strut mounts, collars or bump stops? If it is not struts, lower ball joints, CA's or strut rod then what else? Can't see the sway bar bushings causing that kind of noise.....?

Blavatsky

I figure its gonna be the ball joints at this point, from what you and others said.
I've got so much time and money invested at this point, I gotta take it back, I just hate to hear another "looks good, we don't know".

steveski

Supposedly lower ball joints don't last beyond 100k or atleast they should be changed around that mileage point. When the mechanic gets the wheels off he will be able to tell real quick if the ball joint is bad. When I had mine changed, a pitman arm puller was not even necessary.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

i prefer a pickle fork sometimes for lbjs.

Blavatsky

Yeah, my car has 120k on it so that very well could be it...when I suggested lbj though he said "I checked em, they're tight". The clunking noise sounds like the one described in the ball joint DIY change, but before I thought it was bushings (?).

It's an awkward situation of me (not a car expert) telling my mechanic what to look at, and him telling me its fine...then I drive off with a clunk. Taking it back next week regardless.

steveski

It is awkward telling the mechanic what to look for. My guy said the same - ball joints, CA's are tight until he took the wheel off, etc. and barely touched the lbj and it came apart. He then said surprisingly, yes it is bad. I would still like to know if upper strut mount or bump stop could make the clunk. Since mine is lowered about 2" I sometimes rarely bottom out on the front bump stop (it has been trimmed to 1" to 1.5") and it makes a distinct thump.

Blavatsky

Yeah, I'm about to just buy some ball joints from l-tuned and see what labor would be. I've been reading on us.lexusownersclub too and they also mention stabalizer bar bushings, tie rod ends, and trailing arm bushings, as possible clunk causers.

I have new bump stops all around, and I'm not lowered so I doubt its that or the strut mount causing it (front mounts are original, backs are new). I'll check the front strut mount bolts in the engine bay for looseness as well.

McSwine

please keep us posted.

Blavatsky

l-tuned and irontoad have the balljoints for about 67$ each...isn't there somewhere to get both for about 100$?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

yea, try giving luis at carson a call, if not 100 he should be able to get u damn close

steveski

Yup Carson is the place as I bought OEM upper CA's for near aftermarket prices. They were much cheaper than my local Lexus dealership quotes for same OEM stuff.

Blavatsky

UPDATE: Well I'm waiting on my tax return before I buy ball joints (75% sure that is my clunk) but i have two questions:

1. is there anyway to check a bad ball joint by jacking the car up, looking for play etc? My mechanic says he checked and I believe him but maybe there is another way to check before I spend $$$ on parts....

2. How specialized do you need to be to do suspension work on this car? What I mean is, can I take it to a cheaper shop (that does good work) but mainly does domestics and hondas?

Thanks

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

suspension is suspension, the techniques are pretty much the same for each TYPE of suspension, i doubt the shop ud be going to has had massive amounts of experience with tghe type of suspension we have (double wishbone/multilink) but given the torque everything down right and u get an alignment afterwards you should be fine.