Hi guys,

The other week I noticed a loud "clunk" noise which seemed to originate from the front RH corner of my '99 GS300. The clunk happened while steering full-lock (or close to full) to the left and at low speed (<15km/h). I wasn't able to replicate it easily, so took it to a Lexus dealer to get it checked out. They had one of their tech's take it for a drive and said they heard it too, so they went over it and checked that everything was tight (they said everything is tight and safe). Lexus indicated that it may be something to do with the steering components...

It's been doing it more consistently lately, hough the conditions are still the same - only during sharp LH turns at low speed (and only one "clunk" per turn - the noise is not continuous). The clunk can be felt a little through the steering wheel, though it's not a jolt (just a slight vibration). I have never encountered the same symptom during a sharp RH turn...

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms and knows what may be causing it? I'd prefer to be informed before contacting my regular Lexus service centre.

BTW - I am in Australia, so this is a right-hand-drive GS300 (the noise seems to be coming from the driver's side front corner).

Thanks in advance for any help,
Mike C.

 

Bushing and or ball joint

 

MickC, welcome to CL mate usually people 1998-2000 GS300 have common problem w/ their ball joint.

here are some informations you can find :
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ght=ball+joint (similar problem w/ yours I assume)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ght=ball+joint
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ght=ball+joint

 

The front lower ball joints were replaced at the service before last (<20,000kms), so I expect they're OK (the car is completely stock, including original 17" rims). The noise does appear to happen when hitting a bump, so I might follow-up by taking it to Pedders for an opinion about the condition of the front suspension.

Thanks for your replies - I'll let you know what the cause is when I find out :-)

 

How about your brake pads? Are they getting low and maybe moving a little bit?

 

I don't think it'd be brake pads... all brake pads have been replaced in the past 20,000kms. I don't drive my GS hard - use it mainly for long-range cruising on weekends...