MightyLex

91 Lexus LS400 while going over a dip, train tracks, etc.....etc... OR when sitting still and turning the wheel the front end creaks.....What could this be?

LexLS

It could be a number of things. Since you hear things when sitting still I would say you should check out your steering rack and pinion. If it's leaking it may need replacement. From your description though, I would say that it's a number of things that need attention; sorry you probably didn't want to hear that. Now since you said you hear things while going over bumps you need to have your suspension checked out. Front upper control arms usually need to be replaced on a 91 because they wear out.

Losiho

Yup, could be control arms, dry bushings or ball joints that need attention.

persian451

I would worry about the upper control arms last because the price is going to kill you on those. I would first knock out the problems one by one. First get the car checked out by a suspension shop.

Most likely your lower ball joints are bad. Price for those are around $50 x 2. Then look into your sway bar bushings, control arm bushings, and strut mounts. Daizen makes control arm bushings and sway bar bushings as a set for $99. The strut mounts are $45 x 2 made by KYB. If you want to replace your upper control arms, you are looking at around $630 for 2.

Losiho

Obviously there is a huge difference in price for lower ball joints depending on the world market

damon

Warning: I have yet to have anybody here agree with me on this , but on my 94 LS the creaking and groaning did not disappear when I replaced my struts , my Lower ball joints still need to be replaced but the sounds did all but diminish when I replaced my motor and transmission mounts.

Prior to to doing this, going over a speed-bump yielded the very odd sounding cacophony that you describe. I have yet to replace any control arm bushings on my 157,000 mile 94.

damon

To follow up: worn ball joints make a hollow thud noise , which is not at all what you are describing. I did indeed change / replace my front upper strut mounts thinking that it was an area that absorbed a lot of impact and had a large amount of aging rubber. I did not choose KYB but went with the more expensive OEM mounts along with OEM struts to preserve a smooth ride. Strut mounts were replaced in the front only while struts were done front and rear.

I still hear my lower ball joints over rough terrain, but no creaking & groaning as you describe.

BTW: my 145,000 or so mile motor mounts seperated in two when they were removed..