front end makes a clunk/rattle over square edged bumps e.g. train tracks. replaced lower ball-joints and shocks. any ideas?

 

yea if you have any play in your wheels they need to be replaced. also check your struts/shocks. oh and you lower caster arms. they normally make the clunk sound the most

 

strut mounts, stabalizer links or tie rods??? Just throwing it out there... Get it up on a lift and check it out to confirm...

 

maybe you need to lube up the bushings..what shocks do you have now?

 

caster arms, either change the bushing to aftermarket or get the 03-05 updated arms (about $130/ea)

 

I got the bilstein sport shocks. Lube isnt going to get rid of this rattle/clunk. Something is moving. What are you calling the castor arm?

 

Hey - I just put on Bilstein Sport Shocks too (great no?)
But at the same time I replaces all the bushings.

Front sway, back sway, steering rack, and most importantly, control arm.
You have a blown caster bushing - it's the big one and the back of the lower control arm.

I had the same symptoms as you - nasty metallic clunk skimming over bumps on the freeway...etc., and a lot more.

Go to the suspension and brakes forum and search Daizen.

Here:

http://www.tmengineering.net/suspens...n/make/gs.html

 

thanks for the help. i wondered about that weird bushing.

 

How are the control arms different on 03-05 as opposed to the 98-02?
Are the there any issues when installing 03-05 control arms on a 1998 car?

Where can you get the arms at about $130, and are they LEXUS OEM?

 

Check the sway bar link/ bushings. Mine made a similiar sound when I went over all pot holes and pretty much all bumps

 

I am interested in the Upper Control Arm for $130 also! I had a noise in the suspension, very noticible over bumps. Upper Control Arm and Sway Bar Link x2. $903 w/ shipping from Sewell. I have seen others out there, Mevotech, Dorman, and OES. All less expensive. Anyone with experience, is there a difference? I am planning to order tomorrow and fix as soon as they arrive!

 

Check if the strut mount bolts it tight

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...ml#post5011972

you can get the new arms from this site sponsor:

www.carsontoyota.com

 

Just replace the sway bar bushings.. really easy and my anoying clunk has been gone ever since.

 

I get it now but it's the brakes... Everything else has been replaced.