350Lexus

Hi all,

I recently moved to a condo building has several speed bumps in the parking garage that I have to drive over everyday in my '07 ES350 w/ ~35,000 miles.

I've noticed that a clunk happens near the passenger side rear wheel when the wheel goes over the bump. It doesn't happen when the front wheels go over the bump.

Any thoughts as to the cause of this?

oldgrump

As you may have already noticed the ES has a fairly complex rear suspension. The easiest and simplest would be to first check for slop/loosness/wear at the stabilizer bar RH end link connection and the end link connection (top end) at the strut. The strut upper mount could be the source of the noise as well. IF you don't get the right person on this they may not find where the noise is actually coming from and they'll just start replacing parts. It could be something as simple as a loose nut/bolt.

350Lexus

Thanks for the info!

I hope it is not anything serious because I bought the car CPO less than 4 months ago. Would they have checked the suspension during that inspection?

350Lexus

Is there a chance it could be the exhaust system being loose and bumping something?

MadMax96

If it's a CPO under warranty - take it in!!!

NJLEXES

Take a look at your rear strut on that side.....if it is all caked up with dirt, that indicates the strut has an oil leak.
IT was a known problem (TSB) on that year. When I used to have an 07 ES350, that happened to my car as well.

When they finally got mine out, they said it was totally shot. That was at 41k miles...but it had definitely started leaking earlier than that mileage wise.

Lextech79

Leaky struts are very common on the ES 350 and RX350. With the older models the strut mount would be the problem. Take it in and have it looked at. It is still under warranty by mileage anyway. Also don't hesitate to ask a tech to go on a test drive so you can reproduce the clunk noise for them.

350Lexus

EDIT: False alarm...turns it is still knocking/clunking. Will be taking it back to the dealer soon...

350Lexus

Took it to the dealer today - they couldn't find anything wrong and just tightened up all the nuts and bolts.
I going to keep on observing the noise and see if it is still there.

LexBob2

I seem to recall some owners complaining of a clunking sound in the rear. I think in some of the cases it was the fuel pump which is in the gas tank. You might try a Search here to learn more.

oldgrump

I wonder if the dealer checked for applicable SBs.......this would be one. Could this be what you are hearing?
Service Bulletin Number : LSB-0027-11
Date of Bulletin : MAY 12, 2011
NHTSA Item Number : 10039079
Component : SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Summary :
TOYOTA LEXUS: 2007-2009 ES350. THERE MAY BE A POP NOISE FROM THE REAR SEAT DUE TO INSUFFICIENTLY TORQUED NUTS. *RM