ksbz

While braking, my 2004 Rx 330 makes a clunking noise. I thought it only did this when I braked, but I've recently noticed that it makes the same sound when the transmission is down shifting around 20 to 30 mph. Has anyone else had this problem? I took it in last week and Lexus says that it is the brake pads rubbing together and that I will have to just live with the noise. This is really annoying because its so noticable when the radio is off. I am new to this forum and would appreciate any thoughts on this.

RXSF

i have the same car. cant say that i hear this "clunking". can you elaborate on the sound a bit more?

Lil4X

Welcome to CL, ksbz!

Any dealer that says "Just live with it" or "All of 'em do it" should have his franchise yanked. NO car leaves the manufacturer with a built-in noise - each and every one indicates a problem. Take the car to another dealer, and keep going until you find a service department willing to investigate the sound and seek a solution. Then, stick with THAT shop.

ksbz

When I take my foot off the eccelerater and the car is slowing down, I hear the clunking noise. Its around 20 to 30 mph. When the car is going slower and is downshifting, it makes that noise at the time it goes into the next lower gear. Sorry, I dont know all the correct words for what I'm trying to explain..... Its the same sound I hear when I brake. I can understand the brake pads rubbing together and making that soud when I brake, but not when I'm not braking. I have to take it in this week for a transmission flush so I guess I will mention it again. I am at 40,000 and am getting worried that my warranty will be up soon...I bought a Lexus because of it being so quiet and it just reall bugs me to hear that noise.

Campbell

I had mine fixed per the TSB.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...line+tsb+clunk
Do you have an AWD?

ksbz

thanks for the link, no, I do not have the AWD. I take it in tomorrow to have it looked at again, so we'll see what they say.

JMorton

I read on one of the Lexus Owner's Club (USA) forums that, after replacing tires, brakes, rotors, etc. this guy still had the same noise problem. Someone suggested he pull the ABS circuit breaker to disable ABS. The guy did that and the noise was gone...the brakes worked normally. The ABS was thus ID'ed as the real problem. The guy said that it would have cost nothing to pull the breaker and that he wished he tried that first.

Give it a try. It's free.

biff44

Just a thought...I had a previous (non lexus) vehicle that clunked when braking. I eventually traced it down to a loose spare tire. The tires are held up against the body by a cord/rachet system. If the tire is not snugged all the way up, then it can swing back and forth, clunking as you brake hard.

Grumpa72

Are you suggesting pulling the ABS CB just as a troubleshooting technique? I would hope that no one would permanently disable ABS.

Just curious.

Gary