53063

Hello. I would appreciate any help forum members can offer. Friend has a 2003 ES300 with 32,500 miles. At low speeds when starting to initiate a turn you can hear a slight 'clunk'. Is this a known issue for this year/model? What things should I look at that might be causing this issue?

Thanks

Dannatazza

Have a look at this:
If it sounds like that, I would definitely check the upper strut mounts and the sway bar bushings.

53063

Hmmmm. No, it does not make that repeated sound. It is more like one soft clunk when I first start to turn the wheel.

LexusElite

Sounds like it is the steering intermediate shaft, I've seen these create looseness where the splines have enough clearance when turning it makes a clunk noise. If I remember correctly there's a service bulletin out there that covers this.