Annoying Clunk Sound- Strut Bar (The Mother thread)
#286
#290
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
I dont know if it would matter or not. But I should add that the old and new bushings had some markings on them. I put the new ones in the same position as the old ones.
My clunk sounds from the front end have almost stopped completely. I'm still getting a small clunk from the driver side. But it is ten times better with the new bushings. Also the car feels very tight in the front end.
I wonder if the sway bar end links could be causing the clunk/pop sound? Only happens when turning almost at full lock (etc. pulling into a parking spot).
My clunk sounds from the front end have almost stopped completely. I'm still getting a small clunk from the driver side. But it is ten times better with the new bushings. Also the car feels very tight in the front end.
I wonder if the sway bar end links could be causing the clunk/pop sound? Only happens when turning almost at full lock (etc. pulling into a parking spot).
#291
Lexus Champion
lower ball joints or lower control arms also a possibility
sway bar, possible, but much less common
#293
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
Well, he said =>end links<= not the bar itself, I'll assume you just missed the "links" in your response.
Assuming that, you are wrong.
Any balljoint style sway bar link, in sheer, has roughly an 30-50k service life interval due to the fact the joint is not opperating within its ideal load bearing parameters. In fact on the numerous cars that use them in a 90° sheer-offset, like the LS400 does, they are the number one culprit to front end clunks and also the cheapest to replace. When looking to buy my 96, every car I looked at and drove, needed new sway bar links... So it is certainly VERY COMMON, albeit not the largest or loudest contributor to the clunks.
While on a 20year old car you probably have a multitude of suspension slop that needs to be addressed, there is no reason to not change the sway bar end links on a regular basis or as routine maintenance. They take about 10-15min/side to replace and cost $20-30 each.
If you want to be sure, search for my coil over install how-to, I posted a video of how to check upper ball joints, but the method is the exact same for the sway bar link ends, tie rod ends and LBJ's; you just don't need as big of a set of pliers with the sway bar links!
Assuming that, you are wrong.
Any balljoint style sway bar link, in sheer, has roughly an 30-50k service life interval due to the fact the joint is not opperating within its ideal load bearing parameters. In fact on the numerous cars that use them in a 90° sheer-offset, like the LS400 does, they are the number one culprit to front end clunks and also the cheapest to replace. When looking to buy my 96, every car I looked at and drove, needed new sway bar links... So it is certainly VERY COMMON, albeit not the largest or loudest contributor to the clunks.
While on a 20year old car you probably have a multitude of suspension slop that needs to be addressed, there is no reason to not change the sway bar end links on a regular basis or as routine maintenance. They take about 10-15min/side to replace and cost $20-30 each.
If you want to be sure, search for my coil over install how-to, I posted a video of how to check upper ball joints, but the method is the exact same for the sway bar link ends, tie rod ends and LBJ's; you just don't need as big of a set of pliers with the sway bar links!
#294
Lexus Champion
I am going to be having to do these myself sometime soon I figure!
#295
Lexus Champion
the clanging in not a clunk, but almost sounds like a piece of gravel caught in an exhaust heat shield, bouncing around randomly, but plenty loud enough to hear inside the car at 70mph, but sounds like from up front, perhaps passenger wheel
sounds like might be coming from front passenger side but sounds are tricky to pinpoint, and the crazy thing is, it follows no pattern, very intermittent, not in sync with vehicle speed or rpm, and the only commonality is that it happens only over 70mph, but not necessarily exactly at that speed, it might decide to happen at 73 or 77 or whatever. - and many times it won't happen at all for hours at that speed on the Interstate, then start up for no reason
it's not gravel on a heat shield or anything loose on exhaust as far as i can tell, might be the shield thingie around the front disk, but on inspection everything seems tight and fine.
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 09-08-13 at 12:20 AM.
#296
Pole Position
perhaps you or PD, being the suspension gurus here, have a theory about a strange intermittent clanging noise I get when i go over 70 mph?
the clanging in not a clunk, but almost sounds like a piece of gravel caught in an exhaust heat shield, bouncing around randomly, but plenty loud enough to hear inside the car at 70mph, but sounds like from up front, perhaps passenger wheel
it's not gravel on a heat shield or anything loose on exhaust as far as i can tell, might be the shield thingie around the front disk, but on inspection everything seems tight and fine.
the clanging in not a clunk, but almost sounds like a piece of gravel caught in an exhaust heat shield, bouncing around randomly, but plenty loud enough to hear inside the car at 70mph, but sounds like from up front, perhaps passenger wheel
it's not gravel on a heat shield or anything loose on exhaust as far as i can tell, might be the shield thingie around the front disk, but on inspection everything seems tight and fine.
#297
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
Could be the brake rotor shield, but I've also seen more than a few cars that have a cover on undertray that had either a loose bolt or tab(s). Once at a certain speed, it caused enough pressure or buffeting to begin to wiggle and cause odd intermittent sounds with no frequency or pattern. Usually, any time you have a non-repeating/repeatable, frequency-less(harmonic) type of noise, it's not a hard part issue but a soft part issue. Soft part being anything non-structural: shields, covers, panels, etc.
I would hook up a set of chassis ears to the car and try and point-point where the sounds is coming from, then do a little old fashion heal of the hand diagnosis to see if you can't find the culprit.
Exhaust body/tunnel heat shields are also a good place to look, specifically around the fasteners securing them. I've seen a few on cars where years of driving over stuff, rust and abuse from shoddy techs have cause breaks around a mounting point which can cause all sorts of crazy noises. If the broken completely away from the fastener, you'll get a pretty easy to find and consistent rattle. If its just a little flexation break, often this is where you will find the source of irregular noises.
I would hook up a set of chassis ears to the car and try and point-point where the sounds is coming from, then do a little old fashion heal of the hand diagnosis to see if you can't find the culprit.
Exhaust body/tunnel heat shields are also a good place to look, specifically around the fasteners securing them. I've seen a few on cars where years of driving over stuff, rust and abuse from shoddy techs have cause breaks around a mounting point which can cause all sorts of crazy noises. If the broken completely away from the fastener, you'll get a pretty easy to find and consistent rattle. If its just a little flexation break, often this is where you will find the source of irregular noises.
#298
IDK if I can post ebay links so if its not allowed please delete. I found this on ebay. 1st gen cushions for $100 shipped!! cheapest I've found by $60!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181140730538?item=181140730538&viewitem=&vxp=mtr
Does anybody know what size socket is needed for the large bolt on a 1st gen? Wanna make sure I have it on hand when my cushion gets here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181140730538?item=181140730538&viewitem=&vxp=mtr
Does anybody know what size socket is needed for the large bolt on a 1st gen? Wanna make sure I have it on hand when my cushion gets here.
Last edited by dc893; 01-25-14 at 05:59 PM.
#300
Lexus Champion
IDK if I can post ebay links so if its not allowed please delete. I found this on ebay. 1st gen cushions for $100 shipped!! cheapest I've found by $60!
Lexus LS400 1989 1994 Front Strut Rod Bushing | eBay
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Lexus LS400 1989 1994 Front Strut Rod Bushing | eBay
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