I just bought a 1999 LS400 the other day with 128,000 miles on it, and when going over bumps, there is a rather annoying squeak. I can also make it squeak by pushing down on the front bumper.

Is there a way to lubricate the springs or is this a sign that something needs to be replaced?

I had it professionally painted and something about bushings was brought to my attention. I am definitely not a car parts oriented person, and have no idea what bushings are.

Thanks for your help.

ETA: I knew "squeek" looked funny for some reason.

 

ehh, sounds more like shocks going out than anything else

bushings dont "squeak" when they collapse, the groan, clunk, and bang.

 

Thanks PD, can you please fill me in on what bushings are.

If my shocks are bad, what is an approximate cost to replace them. Are factory shocks the best way to go?

 

shocks for factory ride id say either the actual OEM shocks from a dealer (pretty $$$y) or my personal choice, KYBs (softest aftermarket shock available).

you shouldnt pay more than $350 for KYB's (they go on ebay for a bit less http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-G...spagenameZWDVW)

labor varies since u have to take the rear seat out, ive had dealers quote me as high as 650-800 in LABOR to as low as $200 from a local independant. i would def. not pay more than 350-400 MAXIMUM.

and unless one of the springs is broken, dont replace it.

 

As others have mentioned, your shocks are shot. I heard the same noise from my left rear shock while driving or pushing down on the rear bumper. Ended up changing 4 x shocks (with OEM parts).

 

You know guys my first thought was the front sway bar bushings. It could also be the shocks as noted but I would personally replace the bushings first especially since they’re so much easier and cheaper to replace. They make such a sound when they get old, at least mine did.

 

since when are bushings cheaper to replace (aside from the sway bars).

in socal ur looking at ALL the labor to take the struts out and THEN eanother 6-8 hours to swap the bushings.

 

Now that it is a warm and sunny day, I don't hear a sound when I push down on the bumber.

I noticed this noise at night when it was a little cooler; could this be the problem?

Thanks again for the information.

 

Ouch labor $$$...yeah I'm about to do all new OEM shocks, front bushings, mounts, shock sleeves and rubber dampners..any ballpark on labor?

 

depends which bushings your changing.

i do all my work myself and labor in SoCal is different a bit compared to NC.

 

Depends where. Independent or dealership? Where in NC, by the way?

 

^
Up in asheville, independent mechanic @ 70/hr


I think its the bushing attached to the strut rod (my mechanic's terms) , maybe UCA? I'm not really sure...it's whatever carson sent me when I said front bushings

 

I must say, $70/hr is not bad at all. I don't know what the book time is on struts, but it shouldn't be too bad at that price.

 

struts iirc are around 4-5hrs if u do it by the book

bushings are a decent bit more.

 

I didn't see a response for this post. Could it be just a lubrication issue?
I don't want to have to replace something that doesn't need it.

Thanks.