Front suspension clunk....
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
Front suspension clunk....
I have heard of this before, but not sure what the likely issue is. My last 1990 LS400 had the same sound when it hit around 220K. Well, my 91 hit 224K last week and its like the front suspension clunk started overnight. 
On CERTAIN bumps, when I hit with the front tire, I will get this clunking sound. What is the most likely culprit? Ball joints? Tie rods? Struts? All of the above?
Thanks.
On CERTAIN bumps, when I hit with the front tire, I will get this clunking sound. What is the most likely culprit? Ball joints? Tie rods? Struts? All of the above?
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
The front suspension is stiff and dont absorb the bumps well anymore. I have been wanting to replace those anyway. ThanksThanks. How hard are they to change? I changed the rear ones on my old 1990 LS400, but never the front ones.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: PA
I'll co-sign with PD and Omarg. Do the strut rods first. I just did mine and the clunking is gone. Once these cars hit 100k+, you probably need to look at struts, bushings, control arms, and engine and tranny mounts. I find myself dealing with all of this now with my LS at 155K. Once I'm done, I figure I'm good to go for another 100K+
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Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: ga
very simple and straight forward on 1LS. Parts are pricey though. Cheapest i could find was about 90 new per side. Might was as well replace both.
Luckily i got some off a clunker'd ls400 with 80k miles. Looks like it had been fully serviced about a year ago. Got very good upper control arms and and strut rod bushings for much cheaper. i was lucky! I'm pretty diligent on the u pull a part places, though
Luckily i got some off a clunker'd ls400 with 80k miles. Looks like it had been fully serviced about a year ago. Got very good upper control arms and and strut rod bushings for much cheaper. i was lucky! I'm pretty diligent on the u pull a part places, though
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Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
Thanks. Well I am not that familiar with them, so if I were to replace the entire strut on each side, it would resolve it? Meaning its not a seperate part from the strut, or is it?
I went to that mybushings.com site and they are around $38 each. I am guessing now they are seperate from the strut.
As mentioned, my front suspension seems to stiff for this type of car.... I wonder if these new bushings will make it ride softer?
How does one replace the bushings?
I went to that mybushings.com site and they are around $38 each. I am guessing now they are seperate from the strut.
As mentioned, my front suspension seems to stiff for this type of car.... I wonder if these new bushings will make it ride softer?
How does one replace the bushings?
Last edited by 91LS400LEX; Nov 9, 2009 at 08:28 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 9
From: MA
91LS400LEX,
The OEM part number for your front strut bar cushions is: Part #: 48674-50030
This part is for 1990 thru October 1994... The design was changed after that date... I think the one's your seeing on mybushings.com may be for vehicles after 10/94 since the price you've quoted of $38 each is too low...
Jim
The OEM part number for your front strut bar cushions is: Part #: 48674-50030
This part is for 1990 thru October 1994... The design was changed after that date... I think the one's your seeing on mybushings.com may be for vehicles after 10/94 since the price you've quoted of $38 each is too low...
Jim
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
Ah, your right! That was for the 1995-2000 models. Why in the heck are the gen 1 parts always so much higher? Because they are the ones breaking down now? 
I dont even see the 1990-94 strut bar bushings listed on that site/page...
http://www.mybushings.com/lexus-ls400-c-26_63.html
I dont even see the 1990-94 strut bar bushings listed on that site/page...
http://www.mybushings.com/lexus-ls400-c-26_63.html
91LS400LEX,
The OEM part number for your front strut bar cushions is: Part #: 48674-50030
This part is for 1990 thru October 1994... The design was changed after that date... I think the one's your seeing on mybushings.com may be for vehicles after 10/94 since the price you've quoted of $38 each is too low...
Jim
The OEM part number for your front strut bar cushions is: Part #: 48674-50030
This part is for 1990 thru October 1994... The design was changed after that date... I think the one's your seeing on mybushings.com may be for vehicles after 10/94 since the price you've quoted of $38 each is too low...
Jim
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee