front driver side suspension making noise
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Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
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From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
kinda like a cracking sound when I turn steering wheel and when I come to slow stop.
I tried using wd40 on all the rubber bushings and still the noise remains.
any advice ?
I tried using wd40 on all the rubber bushings and still the noise remains.
any advice ?
The WD in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement.
It is more of a solvent than a lubricant.
It works great for cleaning old grease from metals and protecting the insides but that's about the only thing it should be used for.
I wouldn't use it anywhere near the rubber bots (they contain grease inside, which would be dissolved by WD-40 if they got in).
It is more of a solvent than a lubricant.
It works great for cleaning old grease from metals and protecting the insides but that's about the only thing it should be used for.
I wouldn't use it anywhere near the rubber bots (they contain grease inside, which would be dissolved by WD-40 if they got in).
Most likely the inner eccentric lower control arm bushing is loose. It needs a lot of torque to be tight, but odds are if its loose it needs to be aligned also. Have an alignment shop check your alignment and tighten it and see if that fixes it. The part can also be worn, if so then the lower arm needs to be replaced, costs around $400.
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 1
From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
noise seems to occur when I the brakes, I did have the calipers removed to install my extended lug bolts for my 5mm spacers. I did also reuse the caliper bolts.
can this affect my lower ball joints ?
the noise only comes on when I brake or a bit after I brake.
can this affect my lower ball joints ?
the noise only comes on when I brake or a bit after I brake.
Last edited by mikemareen; Sep 17, 2008 at 11:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 1
From: southern cali, san gabriel valley
ok I don't think I've greased the lower ball joints yet.
when u say issue, do u mean the lower ball joint can just break off or is it a bushing that erodes and makes noise ? the part itself is like a 50 dollar part so I'm kinda relieved.
when u say issue, do u mean the lower ball joint can just break off or is it a bushing that erodes and makes noise ? the part itself is like a 50 dollar part so I'm kinda relieved.
Last edited by mikemareen; Sep 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM.
i think its something to do with either the bushing, the way the bushing is mounted to the actual ball joint, or the ball joint itself.
either way, get it checked out.
the part will actually separate from the lower control arm and the wheel will turn perpendicular to its normal position (i.e. inside of rim facing front bumper, face of rim facing rear) nasty, nasty little problem.
i think its something to do with either the bushing, the way the bushing is mounted to the actual ball joint, or the ball joint itself.
either way, get it checked out.
i think its something to do with either the bushing, the way the bushing is mounted to the actual ball joint, or the ball joint itself.
either way, get it checked out.
It can not be greased, but it can be easily checked and replaced if needed.
If it is bad, I recommend replacing both - If one went bad, the other one isn't far behind. Also, do a wheel alignment after that.
The ball joint will only separate under extreme conditions and after extreme neglect. I wouldn't be concerned about that.
It can not be greased, but it can be easily checked and replaced if needed.
If it is bad, I recommend replacing both - If one went bad, the other one isn't far behind. Also, do a wheel alignment after that.
It can not be greased, but it can be easily checked and replaced if needed.
If it is bad, I recommend replacing both - If one went bad, the other one isn't far behind. Also, do a wheel alignment after that.
definitely +1 on the realignment and replacing both if only one is bad though.
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