22' ES350 Axle/Suspension Issues
 

Nearing 40K on my 22' ES350 F Sport and vehicle has developed a significant clicking/clunking noise when steering lock to lock driving slowly and over bumps. Looked under the car and looks like there is some grease/oily buildup by the axles. Dealer said everything was normal, and you can progressively feel the front end feels loose/off. Anyone else facing issues like this? Anything suspension wise being loose? Saw a few threads of struts and shocks being replaced early on as well as loose bracing from factory. Unacceptable for being such low mileage especially for a Lexus. Thanks!

I've seen reports of axles going bad fairly early on this generation maybe that's what you are looking at. Are the struts leaking? Pretty easy to tell you'll see oil accumulation near the bottom. Can you try another dealer? Poor form on their part to send you one their way after giving the "it's normal" speech.

My ES at five years 70K miles, no signs of anything like this.

those noises based on my experience building multiple suspensions for track and general use: usually strut mounts, sway bar links, struts themselves, axles -- in that order.

Can you take some photos with flash of the struts where this leaking is?

my 2020 es 350 f sport had a clicking sound when turning at slow speeds. The dealership first thought it was a bearing issue. It wasn't. They then replaced the passenger side CV axle, the clicking went away.

My 2015 CT200h F Sport developed an axle click at 50k miles. I removed the axle boot, packed with grease, and installed a new clamp. Noise was gone instantly. From what I've seen, Toyota axles have a tendency to go dry and make noise. happens a lot on the Prius side.