es300 struts/suspension/ NOISE! please help
05-18-10, 04:55 AM
#31
Lexus Test Driver
My 2002 ES developed a clunk sound that was similar to a couple of golf ***** banging around in the spare tire well every time I hit a bump.
Turned out to be the rear sway bar bushings. Two $10 pieces of rubber and 30 minutes of my time to totally silence the rear end. This is the most common cause of Toyota/Lexus noise in the rear end.
steviej
Turned out to be the rear sway bar bushings. Two $10 pieces of rubber and 30 minutes of my time to totally silence the rear end. This is the most common cause of Toyota/Lexus noise in the rear end.
steviej
05-22-10, 12:49 AM
#32
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I also have the same kins of noise on my 02 ES with 128K. Can only hear it with open windows or sunroof over small bumps or bridge joints or road imperfections. Sounds like a metallic clunk type noise... Annoying... was told that functionally no damage is done to suspension components that it's just noise no damage is done to the car.. except the mounts.
07-07-10, 05:17 AM
#33
Lexus Test Driver
My 2002 ES developed a clunk sound that was similar to a couple of golf ***** banging around in the spare tire well every time I hit a bump.
Turned out to be the rear sway bar bushings. Two $10 pieces of rubber and 30 minutes of my time to totally silence the rear end. This is the most common cause of Toyota/Lexus noise in the rear end.
Turned out to be the rear sway bar bushings. Two $10 pieces of rubber and 30 minutes of my time to totally silence the rear end. This is the most common cause of Toyota/Lexus noise in the rear end.
It's definitely an easy job and the bushings only cost $10. So if you're having a rear end clunking noise I would start here vs. strut mounts.
12-07-10, 11:11 PM
#34
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I have a 97 ES300 and changed all four springs and struts along with the mounts. Also changed the rear and front sway bar bushings and still have that noise when going over bumbs. It comes from the rear and it really is getting to me. It's been a few years now and I still can't figure it out. I also changed the sway bar links. It was a significant improvement in driving but that sound just doesn't go away. It seems that the sound has gotten louder as time has passed. Had it checked out by two shops and nobody can pinpoint the sound. Any ideas?
12-08-10, 08:42 AM
#35
I have a 97 ES300 and changed all four springs and struts along with the mounts. Also changed the rear and front sway bar bushings and still have that noise when going over bumbs. It comes from the rear and it really is getting to me. It's been a few years now and I still can't figure it out. I also changed the sway bar links. It was a significant improvement in driving but that sound just doesn't go away. It seems that the sound has gotten louder as time has passed. Had it checked out by two shops and nobody can pinpoint the sound. Any ideas?
I also have a rear "creaking/squeaking" noise whenever I go over speed bumps and its cold out. I'm pretty sure it's the strut mounts (I replaced the rubber sway bushings and end links already), but I don't want to throw parts ai it unless I'm sure.
02-29-12, 04:04 AM
#37
Lexus Test Driver
02-29-12, 10:19 AM
#38
Those make more of a creaking noise if anything... clunking in my case was shot struts in the rear, and the fluid was leaking so they were gone. Now i have a slight grind/rub almost.
02-29-12, 12:13 PM
#39
I think its nothing... I'm in the same boat [please add any findings to this thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...n-stuffs.html]
Those make more of a creaking noise if anything... clunking in my case was shot struts in the rear, and the fluid was leaking so they were gone. Now i have a slight grind/rub almost.
Those make more of a creaking noise if anything... clunking in my case was shot struts in the rear, and the fluid was leaking so they were gone. Now i have a slight grind/rub almost.
02-29-12, 02:42 PM
#40
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Alright.
So going over bumps, potholes, etc has become horrible while driving my ’99 ES300. I notice this/ it seems the worst in the morning on my way to work.
Like a moron, I went and bought new Monroe struts myself and then had my mechanic install them.
This did nothing. I to another mechanic- who I trust much more and they replaced the sway link in the front and the rear- costing total $450.
The next day I noticed that it really didn’t help anything. I go crazy in the morning on my way to work as every little bump sounds terrible and the sunroof is starting to creak a little now (when closed) because of the rattling.
My more-trust-worthy mechanic told me they’d probably have to now replace the following:
1. Mounts
2. Cushion kit
3. Bottom plate
The first mechanic should have replaced the mounts when he did the struts, but he did not even mention that they were bad to me. To replace these three things, my good mechanic is saying it will cost roughly $600 for the front and $600 for the rear- MONROE parts. I checked RockAuto.com (GREAT for parts) and I can’t find everything that is listed above- just the mounts and the plates.
Has anyone else had this problem? I paid $450 to have the struts installed, another $450 for the links and now a rough estimate of $1200...
How much should the parts cost? Worth it? PLEASE HELP! THANKS!!!!!
So going over bumps, potholes, etc has become horrible while driving my ’99 ES300. I notice this/ it seems the worst in the morning on my way to work.
Like a moron, I went and bought new Monroe struts myself and then had my mechanic install them.
This did nothing. I to another mechanic- who I trust much more and they replaced the sway link in the front and the rear- costing total $450.
The next day I noticed that it really didn’t help anything. I go crazy in the morning on my way to work as every little bump sounds terrible and the sunroof is starting to creak a little now (when closed) because of the rattling.
My more-trust-worthy mechanic told me they’d probably have to now replace the following:
1. Mounts
2. Cushion kit
3. Bottom plate
The first mechanic should have replaced the mounts when he did the struts, but he did not even mention that they were bad to me. To replace these three things, my good mechanic is saying it will cost roughly $600 for the front and $600 for the rear- MONROE parts. I checked RockAuto.com (GREAT for parts) and I can’t find everything that is listed above- just the mounts and the plates.
Has anyone else had this problem? I paid $450 to have the struts installed, another $450 for the links and now a rough estimate of $1200...
How much should the parts cost? Worth it? PLEASE HELP! THANKS!!!!!
02-29-12, 10:08 PM
#41
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i have a 93 es300 i know the generations arent right but they have the same suspension setup ish. i replaced my struts and mounts and nothing still had a clunk in the rear. it turned out to be one of my four lateral links . they are straight rods with eyelet bushings at both ends. check for wheel play by jerking the tire around see if you get the clunk
03-01-12, 06:16 AM
#42
03-03-12, 11:10 PM
#43
Intermediate
I am in the same boat as everyone else. I have a 1997 Lexus ES 300 and I am also suffering with the noise in the back of the car. I am totally sick of it but I don't want to throw big money at doing the rear struts and mounts yet because other have tried this and it hasn't stopped the noise! I even started a thread on this a while back too like many others:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es30...ed-to-fix.html
I have read some possible fixes but I still have the noise!!
I have replaced the trailing arm bushings, the sway bar end links, and the sway bar bushings, and even the exhaust muffler rubber hanger/bushing but I STILL HAVE THE NOISE.
My theory is that it must be a rubber part because the noise is louder when its cold and almost quiet when its hot outside.
VERY FRUSTRATING.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es30...ed-to-fix.html
I have read some possible fixes but I still have the noise!!
I have replaced the trailing arm bushings, the sway bar end links, and the sway bar bushings, and even the exhaust muffler rubber hanger/bushing but I STILL HAVE THE NOISE.
My theory is that it must be a rubber part because the noise is louder when its cold and almost quiet when its hot outside.
VERY FRUSTRATING.
03-04-12, 02:29 AM
#44
Driver School Candidate
Hey guys I have a simular problem, when i go a bad bump, it feels something like a spring being "strumed" the rear "dribbles" against the road. I was able to place my car (97 300) on a lift and get under it and yank on parts like the other guys said to see what was loose. the "dribble" tire feeling is on the rear pass side, and after inspection, i could litterally jingle the sabilizer bar link/end link up and down with two fingers. This is only a 13-20 dollar part.
04-06-13, 04:54 AM
#45
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Simple remedy for rear noise
Check the bushings on the rear stabilizer bar. I have a 2000 ES 300. Clunk over bump but otherwise quiet. Sounded like loose tire in trunk or maybe the jack was loose Emptied trunk first and took out the jack to eliminate that cause. Bar jiggled from side to side up on the lift. New pair of bushings. Total cost under $160 including labor, which included $75, 4 whell allignment that needed anyway [required to do once bushing changed]. Noise gone. Problem solved.
Last edited by kazoolook; 04-06-13 at 05:04 AM.