LS460 "Popping" Front Suspension
03-05-12, 06:12 PM
#1
LS460 "Popping" Front Suspension
Hoping for some help.
I'm getting "popping" noises when braking from my front, drivers side suspension. Past knowledge tells me it's probably an upper control arm / Tie Rod/Swaybar link problem. Everything is nice and tight in there.
Also getting a violent "thumping" noise/feeling constantly when driving from the same side.
I just dropped it off at the dealer, and they are probably going to come back saying the upper control arm needs to be replaced (we will see).
My Questions: Has anybody experienced the same problems, or had any bushings go? Is there service bulletins for anything front-suspension related that I should have been aware of?
I'm getting "popping" noises when braking from my front, drivers side suspension. Past knowledge tells me it's probably an upper control arm / Tie Rod/Swaybar link problem. Everything is nice and tight in there.
Also getting a violent "thumping" noise/feeling constantly when driving from the same side.
I just dropped it off at the dealer, and they are probably going to come back saying the upper control arm needs to be replaced (we will see).
My Questions: Has anybody experienced the same problems, or had any bushings go? Is there service bulletins for anything front-suspension related that I should have been aware of?
03-06-12, 06:12 AM
#4
Let me try to help to the extent that I can... I will eventually post my whole story once there is actually an ending to it, but in the meantime this will hopefully help in some way.
Before we get into the suspension piece, in your case, could your noise be caused by the pads shifting in the calipers? Mine make quite a loud banging noise, particularly when backing up. Just mentioning it FWIW...
Moving on to the suspension part...
My car has a whole host of front suspension noises which have been hard to find. I'm not sure what your "popping" sounds like, so it's hard to tell if there is any commonality between your car and mine.
All my control arms have been replaced. The upper ones had torn bushings and they have been redesigned by Lexus. I don't know what year your car is, however, so I don't know if you have the old design. One of the two sets of lower control arms also had torn bushings, and yes... those were also redesigned (this last piece was done just last week).
Beyond that, I have new struts and a new steering rack (whole assembly, with tie rods and all). The shimmy problem I've also complained about has improved, but not gone away, but the suspension noises persist - unaltered.
I am beyond pleased with the way Lexus has come through (and continues to) and how they have stood behind their product. I also remain confident that they will get to the bottom of the issues. My opinion of the so-called flagship, which happens to be my fourth Lexus, is another story, but that's neither here, nor there right now... The manufacturer has been doing right by me, and that's what will keep me loyal to them. The car is still in the shop...
Before we get into the suspension piece, in your case, could your noise be caused by the pads shifting in the calipers? Mine make quite a loud banging noise, particularly when backing up. Just mentioning it FWIW...
Moving on to the suspension part...
My car has a whole host of front suspension noises which have been hard to find. I'm not sure what your "popping" sounds like, so it's hard to tell if there is any commonality between your car and mine.
All my control arms have been replaced. The upper ones had torn bushings and they have been redesigned by Lexus. I don't know what year your car is, however, so I don't know if you have the old design. One of the two sets of lower control arms also had torn bushings, and yes... those were also redesigned (this last piece was done just last week).
Beyond that, I have new struts and a new steering rack (whole assembly, with tie rods and all). The shimmy problem I've also complained about has improved, but not gone away, but the suspension noises persist - unaltered.
I am beyond pleased with the way Lexus has come through (and continues to) and how they have stood behind their product. I also remain confident that they will get to the bottom of the issues. My opinion of the so-called flagship, which happens to be my fourth Lexus, is another story, but that's neither here, nor there right now... The manufacturer has been doing right by me, and that's what will keep me loyal to them. The car is still in the shop...
Last edited by caha14; 03-06-12 at 06:27 AM.
03-06-12, 07:49 AM
#6
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If the popping you hear is always during braking then it might be your brake actuator. This is a commonly reported problem on 2009 and earlier LS 460's. There was some problem in these earlier actuators that required replacement of the whole unit (mine was covered on warranty but it is an expensive repair)
Last edited by edarte; 03-06-12 at 07:53 AM.
03-06-12, 09:04 AM
#7
Let me try to help to the extent that I can... I will eventually post my whole story once there is actually an ending to it, but in the meantime this will hopefully help in some way.
Before we get into the suspension piece, in your case, could your noise be caused by the pads shifting in the calipers? Mine make quite a loud banging noise, particularly when backing up. Just mentioning it FWIW...
Moving on to the suspension part...
My car has a whole host of front suspension noises which have been hard to find. I'm not sure what your "popping" sounds like, so it's hard to tell if there is any commonality between your car and mine.
All my control arms have been replaced. The upper ones had torn bushings and they have been redesigned by Lexus. I don't know what year your car is, however, so I don't know if you have the old design. One of the two sets of lower control arms also had torn bushings, and yes... those were also redesigned (this last piece was done just last week).
Beyond that, I have new struts and a new steering rack (whole assembly, with tie rods and all). The shimmy problem I've also complained about has improved, but not gone away, but the suspension noises persist - unaltered.
I am beyond pleased with the way Lexus has come through (and continues to) and how they have stood behind their product. I also remain confident that they will get to the bottom of the issues. My opinion of the so-called flagship, which happens to be my fourth Lexus, is another story, but that's neither here, nor there right now... The manufacturer has been doing right by me, and that's what will keep me loyal to them. The car is still in the shop...
Before we get into the suspension piece, in your case, could your noise be caused by the pads shifting in the calipers? Mine make quite a loud banging noise, particularly when backing up. Just mentioning it FWIW...
Moving on to the suspension part...
My car has a whole host of front suspension noises which have been hard to find. I'm not sure what your "popping" sounds like, so it's hard to tell if there is any commonality between your car and mine.
All my control arms have been replaced. The upper ones had torn bushings and they have been redesigned by Lexus. I don't know what year your car is, however, so I don't know if you have the old design. One of the two sets of lower control arms also had torn bushings, and yes... those were also redesigned (this last piece was done just last week).
Beyond that, I have new struts and a new steering rack (whole assembly, with tie rods and all). The shimmy problem I've also complained about has improved, but not gone away, but the suspension noises persist - unaltered.
I am beyond pleased with the way Lexus has come through (and continues to) and how they have stood behind their product. I also remain confident that they will get to the bottom of the issues. My opinion of the so-called flagship, which happens to be my fourth Lexus, is another story, but that's neither here, nor there right now... The manufacturer has been doing right by me, and that's what will keep me loyal to them. The car is still in the shop...
What symptoms did you guys experience that ended up influencing you to replace the arms? And if you don't mind me asking, approx how much did it cost?
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03-06-12, 09:52 AM
#8
In addition to a steering wheel vibe, the car also had a driveline vibration in the rear. For the issues in front, the FTS suggested removing the control arms. Interestingly, they looked fine from the ground, but upon taking them off and putting them on a vise, it was evident that the bushings were toast (at 43k miles, mind you).
I could go on, but the point is that this was done because they knew the upper control arms had been redesigned. It was all done under warranty, though I believe each arm is $500 or so a piece.
03-06-12, 04:44 PM
#9
Moderator
I had the brake pad rattle issue which was fixed by my mechanic adding some type of shim to put more pressure on the pad keeping it from rattling..it was pretty loud...but ultimately my other clunking noise was a blown left front strut.. picked up a new one for $157 on Pembroke Pines Lexus Trademotion website..now..all noises gone and car rides even better!
11-21-12, 11:35 AM
#10
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When I took my car in for the 60K service I was told that it has noise from the control arms and that they have to be replaced. I have been buying Lexus brand for years and I must admit I am not happy about this issue. They obviously knew about the issue (because there is a bulletin on it0 and instead of recalling the vehicles to replace the arms under warranty, they are now telling me after the manufacturers warranty has expired. Although they agreed to cover the parts I have to shell out $1,000 for labor. That's not good...this should have been addressed within the warranty period because they were aware there were issues, thus the reason for the redesign. So my next question is how long will these new ones last...another 60k miles? I am willing to pay up for quality, but I thought the purchase of the vehicle is was where it ended...not at every 60k miles. If they didn't cover the parts, they were talking $3,600 in repairs. This was my second 460L...I can no longer say I will be getting another one. It's ashame because I was looking forward to my next one. The reason I chose them over BMW was because of quality, but if they have issues that are not going to be resolved without me shelling out more funds, then the playing field becomes even. I am just not happy about it because I have sent business to them for years...not cool.
12-16-12, 11:34 AM
#11
Driver School Candidate
When I took my car in for the 60K service I was told that it has noise from the control arms and that they have to be replaced. I have been buying Lexus brand for years and I must admit I am not happy about this issue. They obviously knew about the issue (because there is a bulletin on it0 and instead of recalling the vehicles to replace the arms under warranty, they are now telling me after the manufacturers warranty has expired. Although they agreed to cover the parts I have to shell out $1,000 for labor. That's not good...this should have been addressed within the warranty period because they were aware there were issues, thus the reason for the redesign. So my next question is how long will these new ones last...another 60k miles? I am willing to pay up for quality, but I thought the purchase of the vehicle is was where it ended...not at every 60k miles. If they didn't cover the parts, they were talking $3,600 in repairs. This was my second 460L...I can no longer say I will be getting another one. It's ashame because I was looking forward to my next one. The reason I chose them over BMW was because of quality, but if they have issues that are not going to be resolved without me shelling out more funds, then the playing field becomes even. I am just not happy about it because I have sent business to them for years...not cool.
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