Front suspension clunk after new OEM shocks
06-16-20, 09:58 AM
#16
I have the same issue on my LS400. I have had three different shops check it and all three come back saying they see nothing wrong. I'm starting to wonder if maybe the shock bump was installed. Unfortunately, you can't see that unless you disassemble the shock.
Paul
Paul
06-16-20, 03:38 PM
#17
Pole Position
Doesn't the shock bump soften the blow when the it reaches the end of its travel? The clunking noise described by the OP is happening while turning.
06-16-20, 04:36 PM
#18
Had the same issue with my 2002 last month. The cause of my problem was the the front spring bumper Lexus part number: 48331-24050. The previous owner had new KYB struts installed, but reused the bumper and coil spring insulator Lexus part number: 48157-30040. Well, the spring bumper is heavy and hard like a super ball from my childhood, this bumper fits loosely on the strut shaft and moves up and down freely. Whenever, I hit the right kind of bump the front would make a clunking sound that seemed like a broken suspension component. I repaired it by replacing the insulator and bumper with KYB SB103 Strut Bellows, I had to disassemble the struts using a spring compressor on loan from Orielly's auto parts. Since installing the new bellows and stop, no more clunking noises. Still have the old bumpers and what's left of the old spring insulators if anyone needs a picture.
Last edited by bmanone; 06-16-20 at 04:52 PM.
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Wilson2000 (06-17-20)
06-18-20, 10:37 AM
#19
Driver
Thread Starter
Thank you. This is a possibility. So far I have two likely causes: the brake pad clips and the front spring bumper.
Got the list of what was replaced: Feb 2019 brake pads and rotors, front struts and mounts, lower control arms forward and rearward, both sides outer tie rod.
Jun 2020 steering rack gear, outer tie rod r. side
Clunks happen when driving straight, not during turns.
Got the list of what was replaced: Feb 2019 brake pads and rotors, front struts and mounts, lower control arms forward and rearward, both sides outer tie rod.
Jun 2020 steering rack gear, outer tie rod r. side
Clunks happen when driving straight, not during turns.
06-18-20, 01:48 PM
#20
Pole Position
How many miles on your SC? Did you say there wasn't a clunk before the work? Even if the clunk is only happening when driving straight, it could still be related to the work on your steering rack/gear. Can you feel the clunk in your steering wheel? First, I would re-torque any bolts that were loosened or removed during the work.
Does the clunk only happen on extreme bumps like speed bumps? If so, I would highly suspect the coil-spring rubber insulators in the struts. If you have no loose bolts and your rubber insulators are good, you have to start suspecting more esoteric parts like the steering column u-joints.
Does the clunk only happen on extreme bumps like speed bumps? If so, I would highly suspect the coil-spring rubber insulators in the struts. If you have no loose bolts and your rubber insulators are good, you have to start suspecting more esoteric parts like the steering column u-joints.
06-18-20, 03:19 PM
#21
Driver
Thread Starter
109K on it. Don't feel any clunk in the steering. Do feel the clunk in the brake pedal sometimes. Clunk happens less with a passenger present. Clunk happens on "just right" bumps, not on large speed bumps. Struts were installed new OEM. Springs are original. No loose bolts or rubber bushings revealed by several mechanics' under-car inspection.
06-18-20, 06:23 PM
#22
Pole Position
Who installed the OEM struts? Did they inspect the coil spring insulating rubber? If the clunk started after the strut replacement, I would look there first. If I was replacing the struts on my vehicle with over 100K miles, I would replace this rubber regardless of how it looked.
06-19-20, 04:17 PM
#23
Driver
Thread Starter
The wild clunk chase continues after replacing coil spring insulators 48157-30040 and new front rotors and pads.The insulators were found worn and one was torn in half; likely weren't replaced with the struts ~1k miles ago.
Anyone knows who specializes in 2nd gen SCs in the Houston area? Or is it dealer’s $189+tax diagnostic fee which would still not guarantee the clunk identification.
Also adding two soundtracks with clunk at ~4 sec on left in video 1 and ~1,9,21 sec on right in video 2, at low speed. Both 4sec left and 21sec right are going over the same hole in my driveway.
Took me a while to find a device that records stereo sound.
Anyone knows who specializes in 2nd gen SCs in the Houston area? Or is it dealer’s $189+tax diagnostic fee which would still not guarantee the clunk identification.
Also adding two soundtracks with clunk at ~4 sec on left in video 1 and ~1,9,21 sec on right in video 2, at low speed. Both 4sec left and 21sec right are going over the same hole in my driveway.
Took me a while to find a device that records stereo sound.
06-19-20, 06:50 PM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Sounds like shocks to me...did you replace everything?
06-19-20, 06:56 PM
#25
Lexus Test Driver
See post #11...
still think you have a dampener issue...new parts will help.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...115,suspension
still think you have a dampener issue...new parts will help.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...115,suspension
06-20-20, 03:36 PM
#26
Pole Position
Agreed, it sounds like struts. Was the mechanic who did the work reputable? If so, should certainly help you get to the bottom of this. Maybe they damaged something while doing the installation? Have you or anyone re-torqued all the bolts/nuts involved in all your recent front end work? Sounds like something is lose, for sure!
06-25-20, 02:16 PM
#27
Pole Position
A guy on the ES 5-gen forum had a similar noise issue after replacing his front struts. His solution was replacing the top shock mounts. Here's the link:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...nd-2009-a.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...nd-2009-a.html
12-03-20, 12:07 PM
#29
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suspension rattle sc430
Did that right after picking up the car. Mechanic rode with me around the neighborhood block at 25-30 mph, heard the clunks at uneven surface, suggested it was from new shocks. After a year and a half the clunk is still there.
Could it be related to steering? Dealer told me the rack pinion mechanism has grease on the rubber boots and needs to be replaced but steering fluid level is ok as it is a slow leak, and one rear shock developed a leak and needs to be replaced, and battery needs to be replaced but said nothing about the front suspension.
Could it be related to steering? Dealer told me the rack pinion mechanism has grease on the rubber boots and needs to be replaced but steering fluid level is ok as it is a slow leak, and one rear shock developed a leak and needs to be replaced, and battery needs to be replaced but said nothing about the front suspension.
12-03-20, 12:10 PM
#30
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check the bump stops , hard rubber things that slide up and down on the shaft of the strut , just chased this one down myself. terrible rattle after strut replacement. tried to post a reply earlier but it failed. first time poster
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