python1

RX 300 2002 AWD. Going down the highway ay 50 mph or so, if the road bends slightly to the right and i follow the road, i get a thump, thump, thump in the rear end passenger area. This means the vehicle is leaning to the left and less weight is on the right rear. It does not happen on left curves. It also happens at any speeds on rough bumps like railroad track crossings. New struts and bushings in the rear.Note the bracket that attaches to the cat and is a vibration dapener is missing. Any suspension affectionados out there,can not find anything with a mechanic at lexus unless they start to take apart stuff and charhe me $120 per hour????? thank you. D

ps cheched the obvious, spare tire etc.

python1

any thoughts would be appreciated, thank you

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Was this present before you had the rears struts changed?

hypervish

What's the condition of the strut mount?

Nad1370

Does it sound metalic?

BurnishedGoldRX

Did you get new tires recently?

python1

we changed the strut mounts, the tires have about 10,000 miles and seem to be ok,the noise was there before we changed the struts and mounts, We can not duplicate the noise in the shop only on the road but can not have a tech ride under the car to isolate the noise, It ia a metalic sound very solid thumping. Anybody know about the cat dapener and its effect on the rear end,? Im in the ny area anybody know anybody?

python1

have an idea what about the two connections on the exhaust pipe where there are springs, maybe the gackets are shot because that is the type of sound i think i am hearing?

Lexmex

I don't have the cat dampeners anymore, but I have had experience with bad gaskets causing noise issues down there. When that happened in Mexico I had a friend and I take turns driving it around the garage in my apartment building at slow speed and we then isolated the area.

python1

Ladies and gentlemen, problem solved. It was the rear control arms and bushings, both replaced and now , no noise, drives like new! thanks D

1nablxsonr

We have some clunking noise coming from LF. Does the front have similar arms/bushings? Was this a DIY?, or shop repair?

Nad1370

It's possible it's a control arm.
But check the strut top mounts. They usually wear out first and will cause a clunking noise. (first pic)
Also the sway bar links. (2nd pic)
Struts itself could also be worn. How many miles?

Hawaii huh..?

1nablxsonr

We bought it with 127K, as is, no warranty from a dealer. Thanks for the suggestions/pics. I'll check if bushings are still intact. Are these parts easy to change out? If it is the strut mount, should I be changing mount/strut on both L&R or can I get away with replacing as needed? (IYO)

Nad1370

IMHO...I'd do both.
Being it is a suspension part. A vehicle need uniformity in handling characteristics to perform it's best.
It's like walking with 1 old shoe and 1 new one.

1nablxsonr

Makes total sense, guess we got ourselves in over our heads. I've been posting multiple issues regarding our most recent purchase. Although my wife and I really like the rx300. I'll be trying to do most of the repairs myself to save on the labor cost. This site/club members who choose to participate in forums are a great source of info and knowledge. I only hope I can return the favor some day. So, with that said Nad1370, (IYHO) what difficulty level is it to change out these particular suspension components.