Catanzaro

Over the last several months, when I would go over bumps where pressure is placed on suspension, the car will make these strange noises in the rear. Even when the weather gets colder in NJ, the car creeks in the front and the back. Last year, it was only the creaking, but now the car makes these noises.

Originally, I thought maybe something was loose inside the vehicle. I took everything out, from the spare, to even the rear floor mats, and the noise is still there. When I go over the bumps, if feels like the car loses some traction, and there are vibrations in the rear. A mechanic states that the sway bars have bushings that may be worn out.

I looked underneath and of course, there is significant rust, and it is hard to tell if the bushings are worn out.

Can they be sprayed with any type of solution to soften them up, and help with the suspension? Has anyone ever had this problem? It just started a few months ago. I checked the tail lights and they do not vibrate when I tap them. The trunk deck lid lights have some vibration and I doubt this is where the noise is coming from.

Any thoughts on this one? The car is almost 23 years old and based on service records (I have 100% of them from the previous owner), no struts or suspension parts have ever been replaced. Thank you.

LeX2K

Likely need front and rear sway bar bushings and possibly sway bar links. Car would have (and still will) greatly benefit from a Fluid Film treatment.

Catanzaro

Please advise on what "Fluid Film Treatment" is. Also, does anyone have part #'s for this vehicle? Thank you.

LeX2K

Enter your VIN here
http://www.japan-parts.eu/

And of course check the usual vendors like Rockauto.

Catanzaro

I can search the part #'s.

I am just asking what "Fluid Film Treatment" is.. Is this the draining and filling of rear axle?

The oil and transmission fluid are super clean. Car shifts beautifully and only has 65,000 miles on it. It has small Power Steering Leak, but nothing major.

https://www.1aauto.com/toyota-lexus-...hoCtvsQAvD_BwE

https://www.carid.com/1999-lexus-es3...ings-hardware/

It appears the parts are relatively inexpensive. The mechanic I use is very reasonable. Thank you.

LeX2K

See the video I posted.

Catanzaro

Sorry, I see the video in the previous post..

The bottom is pretty rusty, given the woman lived in NJ, never took it to a car wash, and never rinsed it after the winters. Someone would need to put on a lift and scrape the bottom. The other areas are pretty good, but I will consider the task. Again, as always, thanks for your help.

Catanzaro

The parts have all been ordered. I ordered them from CARID and they had to match the prices of other vendors, so I was not far off. Once installed, I will update everyone on the noise in the driver's rear. I hope this is the fix. Here are the parts if anyone wants to know. I went high-end with MOOG. There were 4 brand-new tires installed (BF Goodrich) and the alignment was also done as a precaution. The only thing else on the list is the rear door panel. Something inside (I just thought of this) may have come apart. I remember the paint shop removing the interior to prepare for painting. I will go back there and they will remove the door for inspection. This will be the last step after these are installed. It could be the shocks/struts all the way around, but I am trying to avoid this. The car rides super nice now that the alignment and tires were done.

MOOG -Front Driver Side Stabilizer Link

https://www.carid.com/1999-lexus-es-...roduct_ab_v2=1

MOOG - Front Passenger Side Stabilizer Bar Link

https://www.carid.com/1999-lexus-es-...roduct_ab_v2=1

MOOG® - Rear Stabilizer Bar Link

https://www.carid.com/moog/rear-stab...eid=5245298336

MOOG® - Front Sway Bar Bushings

https://www.carid.com/1999-lexus-es3...245394163.html

MOOG® - Rear Sway Bar Bushings

https://www.carid.com/1999-lexus-es3...roduct_ab_v2=1

Catanzaro

I thought the vibration was gone, but apparently, it is not. When I press the back shocks/struts, the car bounces up and down and back to front. The problem may now lie in the shocks/struts all the way around. Even though I added sway bar bushings (front & back), and the stabilizer bars, the cost was not too bad. Out the door for MOOG including labor, we were at $400.

However, I would like to know which shocks/struts others will recommend. There are so many options out there, I do not even know where to start.

https://www.carid.com/1999-lexus-es3...811334824.html

The mechanic is stating that he does not have a compression tool for them, have no idea.

I watched a video and it does not appear that any compression tool is needed.

Also, they stated that the alignment needs to be done, which was just done.

You Tube

Any thoughts? If the cost is too much, I just may let this slide. We are looking at $300 for parts @ Rock Auto (Monroe). And maybe another $200-$300 if the mechanic can do this. As long as the tires wear evenly, I can deal with a little vibration here and there.

I have been checking air pressure every 2 weeks (cold) and keeping the tires at 32 psi as we are outside and as it gets colder, the PSI drops. The vibration occurs only once in a while when I have or go over crazy bumps, and it is really only the rear left. However, if cost prohibitive I would change all 4 shocks/struts on the car for a better ride. They are 22 years old and original of course. Current mileage is reaching 70,000 miles. Thanks!