martay_guy

I have a "clunking", vibrating sound in the front end passanger side that occurs when I go over a significant bump. It almost sounds like something is loose.

Could this be a motor mount? a shock/strut?

What kind of $$$ am I looking at to repair a problem like this (motor mount or shock)?

The car is a 2002 ES300, has served me well and looks great. Has 179k miles on it.

Any thoughts?

TheCarGuy2

Check the sway link as well.

JTS06Z06

Very common do a simple search and you will find the most common issue. If the 02+ ES300's are anything like the 00 and 01's I would be about 95% sure its the upper strut mounts. When the outside temps got cold my car developed a nasty sounding clunk over bumps on the front right. Sounded so bad one night I almost thought I had to pull over because it sounded unsafe. Came home did some research and even jacked the car up to inspect everything. Visually looked perfect and everything seemed tight. Everyone said its the strut mounts so I bought a pair of front mounts from Lexus as well us the bushings. Replaced those and the car is rock solid again.
Only thing is I think they might have revised the mounts starting in 01 so I dont know if that means the mounts no longer go bad and that 01+ cars arent really effected I dont know. Anyway, again not sure if this applies to the 02's but thats what it was on my 00 ES300 Platinum.

As mentioned check whatever you can visually first such as sway bar links and bushings etc etc

James

martay_guy

Thanks a lot! Much appreciated!

snowdogg

Have same problem and have replace virtually all suspension parts to no avail... learned to ignore it because my mechanic said it isn't a safety issue