BrianV

My front shocks feel a bit soft, but what's the popping noise from. The guy I bought the car from told me about the popping and said he took it to a shop and they said it just needed new front shocks, but this popping noise sounds like something else.

I heard the LS400 shocks are REAL cheap, like $50 / piece or something. My friend also told me pep boys will install a shock for $45 per shock.

What additional work is required in getting the control arms, and how much are new control arms. It sounds like the popping is coming from BOTH wheels because when I hit single pot holes on either side it makes the noise.

Any comments about this type of service or this type of popping noise would be apprecaited.

Thanks

BrianV

Also I read about sway bar bushings and lower ball joints.

Will a mechanic be able to easily diagnose where the problem is, shoudl I just replace it all.

I just rolled 100K if that helps.

Also, the popping noise is quite evident if I slam on the brakes.

Lvangundy

I have a similar noise..

After a few months I've never diagnosed it properly but I haven't taken it somewhere 'professionally' to be checked.

If it's the same noise we share, it's NOT the lower ball joints. I've been through that at $270.

It could be a bump stop, a shock, a worn out bushing..

BrianV

The previous owner had said he took it to a place to hav checked out and the shop said it was the front shocks and he got quoted $800 to have it fixed. I don't know if other parts like control arms were included in that $800, but it sounded steep so I just took the $800 off the car as he said he'd have it fixed before I bought the car.

Blue

My '95 is experiencing similar irritating noise at low speeds, (under 40 mph) I got the front Struts replaced, nothing cheap about them. I took it to the dealership, they replaced the lower ball joints under extended warranty. After I paid for the struts and the alignment $980.+ It squeaks and groans again, a month later. Some say it's sway bar bushing...Inner? Outer? Upper? Lower? All of them???
Then there is the issue of the control arm with the inseparable bushings. $600.oo apiece at the dealership + Installation too, I believe, They said that will eventually cause a noticeable clunk in the front. Right now it sounds like it sort of flexes, noisily groaning/squeaking. (not brake squeal though) it sounds like front end parts flexing up tight as I brake mildly.
The rear groans too, I figure/hope it's only the swaybar bushings...
DOES anybody know which bushings at each end are most likely to require maintenance?
Is there any way to lube them if they appear to be physically intact, still?

BrianV

Yeah how can we diagnose these bushings?

Pagong

Is this a common problem for this generation of LS400's? If so has anybody found a fix for this?

dunn378

ok there are only two sway bar bushings on the front sway bar and only two on the rear. to check them grab the sway bar and pull it back and forth to see if there is any play. there should be no play. if there is then the bushings need replacing. they are about $50-60 front and rear. my car was making a ton of noise on bumps and i replaced the front sway bar bushings and it helped ALOT!!

GA400

Dunn378,

Thanks for sharing your experience. How hard is it to replace the bushings? Did you get them at the dealer?

Thanks,

GA400

dunn378

yes i got them from the dealer and they only take about 20min to replace only 4 bolts for the front and 4 for the rear. it's very easy.

GA400

Dunn378,

Thanks again. I will add that to my to-do list since it is a diy job.