Jahfreck

Hi guy’s about the front end rattle over small road bumps in my 1998 Lexus ES-300, I’ve replaced L&R shock mounts, L&R Stabilizer Bar Bushings, Stabilizer Bar Link, Control Arm Bushings, Strut Bearings, Ball Joints, Tie Rod’s inner & outer. All bolts in the front end were checked. After all that work, I still have the same rattle I started with. The only part that has not been replaced in the front end is the steering rack, because it works fine with no leaks. Is there anyone out there that can help? Or do I just have to live with it.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I would like to know as well.

Mattrob

Reaching a bit here but .... motor mounts, loose exhaust system or is it isolated to one side of the vehicle?

tomf

Me too......

yeskay

i replaced oem strut mounts and strut bumper and the problem was solved.

RalfyVA

what exactly are these parts? i just bought a '97 es300 and i hear the same noise coming front the passenger side of the front end. sounds almost like plastic rattling.

canucklehe

hmmm..... yer scaring me!! i also have RF rattle over bumps in my 93 Lexus. I bought quick struts for front (uninstalled). got me wondering if it isn't a dogbone motor mount??? I know mine is worn. I just replaced the lower/front motor mount as i knew it was worn, but it didn't affect that rattle issue.

i will replace dogbone mount first as it is cheap and easy.

my alignment mechanic friend is smart and experienced. he said it was the RF strut/mount. but after hearing what you guys are saying, I'm worried...

canucklehe

I replaced my dogbone motor mount and VOILA!! no more rattle over bumps. After I removed it, I noticed how torn the rubber eyelet is. It cost $15 on ebay. took 5 minutes to re& re.

I have a pair of front quick struts but i don't think i need to install them.

jahfreck, do you have an update? anyone else? I'd defintely look at that motor mount, super easy to pull out and inspect.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I'm gonna check mine out as well, thanks for the heads up.

canucklehe

the tear is a bit hard to see, but if you put a screwdriver in the eyelet hole and wiggle it, you'll see if there is a tear in the rubber portion. i could actually do mine by hand as the tear was probably 5mm (1/4"). daily driver was worse than my parts car, but both had tears.

on reinstall of new dogbone, I gently used a prybar to help get the bolt hole to line up. my bolts were loosened with a wrench and I tightened them wrench tight. 14mm I think. a bit tricky to get socket on one of the 2 bolts. I don't think they need to be silly tight if i could remove with a wrench.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I checked the dogbone mount. It has some minor cracks, but the rubber is still in good shape. The noise turned out to be coming from the radiator. This is what I've been hearing for months.

alloychild

MrBooby, the noise in your video is exactly what I am hearing also. Did you end up finding an easy fix for the noise?

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Nope, still looking for it. Tightened up the radiator, and the noise is still there. Replaced a section of the exhaust, and the noise is still there. I'm thinking that maybe my strut mounts wore out in a few months, after replacing the whole suspension setup.

PFB

Sometimes you could be totally convinced that the noise is in the front, yet it's really originating in the back.

Phil

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

I'll keep that in mind, but all my data says otherwise. The noise is only heard when I hit a bump with my front wheels. In addition, the microphone recording was in the front, under the hood.

I was messing around with my old struts, yesterday. I wanted to take the old strut mount off and inspect it, but couldn't because I couldn't loosen the bolt. I did compress the spring to see if there was any wiggle room - it appeared to be quite solid. So maybe my struts are just fine.

Could the front engine mount produce the same kind of noise? I don't even know how to inspect it.