Hey guys. 2006 GS 430 with 193,000 miles riding on the original suspension. When I was at the dealership a few months ago, they told me that my front right shock was leaking and needed to be replaced. Since that time, I’ve noticed the front right corner of the car acting pretty jittery over most bumps. But I’ve also noticed one other thing that I need help with diagnosing because the dealership has told me that there’s nothing else wrong with the suspension.

When backing up the car in reverse with the steering wheel turned fully to the left, the car feels like it’s hitting a bump with each full rotation. It’s almost as if something is catching or popping each time the wheel rotates once. The first time it happened I thought I had driven over a rock or something on the edge of the tire, but when it did it again and again with each rotation, I knew that it was something in the suspension that was causing the car to bump/skip.

Any ideas as to what this might be? Tie rod end? Sway bar?

 

have you checked for wheel bearing play?

 

I have not. But is that something that would only manifest itself as an issue in reverse? The car drives perfectly fine going forward and also is fine in reverse as long as I don’t have the steering wheel cranked all the way to the left.

 

Could be a tie rod, best way is to lift the front end, put it on jack stands lock the steering. Have someone strong grab the tire and bend flex the side to side and top to bottom. While have someone else with a flash light inspecting all of the joints, bushings etc. Look for any looseness or flexxing. This is the best method imo

 

did you put new front struts on the car?

 

No, not yet.

 

it may be a good idea to start there. your right front strut could be completely shot if it's leaking, and could be putting extra stress on the rest of the suspension components, and your tires can wear out faster. I dunno if it will fix the specific issue you are experiencing, but if the suspension is sagging, mb something is catching when the wheels are fully turned. could be in the strut mount too. Is that corner of the car noticeably lower at all? I replaced my front struts after the right front started clunking over bumps- it's really not that difficult of a job.

 

No, the front right corner is not lower at all. And you’re probably right, it’s all related to the blown shock. Unfortunately, I am not mechanically, inclined enough to change it out myself, and I can’t seem to find a good suspension shop in my area to do it for a reasonable price. I refuse to go to the dealership for this one. It is way too expensive there. I’m in the Chicago area if anyone knows a good place.