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At my wits end with front end noise

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Old Oct 6, 2016 | 10:35 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by DA51
Look again, The Date is 03-03-95, vehicle has 30,376 miles. This is the remedy that Lexus applied. They did not replace the bushing they lubed it.

Not to beat a dead horse but I called multiple dealers when I replaced mine. Very easy DIY. They are not lubed from the factory nor does Lexus lube them when replacing.
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Old Oct 8, 2016 | 12:26 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by DA51
Did you lube or replace the Sway Bar Bushings? These need to be lubed about every 30,000 miles/5 yrs. You have them front and back.
The previous owner of my 1992 SC400 complained in 95 of noises going over bumps and Lexus lubed the sway bar bushes front and back. A note from the mechanic said they were dry. I still do it to the Car every 5 yrs. I use a Synthetic grease.
The photo of the sway bar bushings. Old one on right after 158,000 miles, definitely worn compared to the new one.
Notice in the pic of the two bushings, the new one on the left has the mesh liner intact, where it contacts the sway bar. This mesh prevents any squeaking noises. When it gets worn out, as pictured in the bushing on the right, the mesh no longer prevents squeaking since it can become "polished" or worn away. Smooth, polished rubber contacting the sway bar will squeak. Any lube you put in there will just squish out in a few months and the squeak will return. Just replace the bushings. Trust me, I've been down that road before.
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Old Oct 8, 2016 | 05:39 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by andys57
$1700 was parts and labor for struts, bushings and ball joints. Am going to check into lubing bushings.
Technically, our cars do not have struts, they have shocks, right? It would make me question the quote.....
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Old Oct 8, 2016 | 10:44 AM
  #19  
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Lexus calls the Hat on top of the spring a strut mount, so it just makes sense to call the shock a strut. Technically, Lexus uses shocks.
I am replacing the sagging springs on my 92 SC400. I wish manufacturing made a whole kit like a Strut Assembly. It would save time and money.
Back to sway bar bushings. The Teflon cloth that is inside the bushing is there to make no noise until the warranty expires. Road debris destroys the liner. My records show Lexus lubed the bushing @30k and again @41K. My car was in Omaha getting a seasonal spray of water and salt. It had to shorten the lifespan of these bushings. I was reviewing another Lexus vehicle history report on www.lexus.com and Lexus was still lubing sway bar bushings in 2000.
Perhaps in 1992, Lexus sway bar bushings did not have the Teflon lining? I purchased new OEM sway bar bushings in 2010. Aftermarket sway bar bushings do not have the liner.
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 03:17 PM
  #20  
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Well, finally got the problem solved. Took it to an independent shop and they found the front camber bolts were loose!!.

Tightened everything on the front suspension, did an alignment and it drives like new. Of course it should considering all that has been replaced on it.

The best part is that correcting the problem, doing an alignment, and getting the oil changed ran a total of $165. Plus they brought me home and picked me up when it was finished.

Maybe this is something to file in the back of your mind for future reference.

My thanks to all for your suggestions.
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 05:47 PM
  #21  
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Thanks for posting a conclusion. Same problem I had after an alignment, front camber bolt not torqued to 136ft.lb.
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Old Mar 3, 2021 | 12:39 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by andys57
2005 LS 430 (100K on car) continues to make groaning and squeaking noises in sharp turns (into driveway, etc.).

I have replaced struts and bushings first, then lower ball joints each time thinking I was through with it. But after ball joints noise is back.

Any suggestions on what to do next? Guy that has been doing work for me has always been great, but I'm into this for $1700 so far with no success.

Thanks to all!!
I recently bought a 2005 Lexus LS430 with only 89,000 miles on it. It has rattle noise on the drivers front side when going over bumpy surface. I had the struts replaced and they said sway bar and its seals are good. Has anyone else faced this and found a solution?
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Old Mar 22, 2021 | 10:39 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by tazigdad
I recently bought a 2005 Lexus LS430 with only 89,000 miles on it. It has rattle noise on the drivers front side when going over bumpy surface. I had the struts replaced and they said sway bar and its seals are good. Has anyone else faced this and found a solution?
If it's a metallic rattle, I had this and fixed it, two culprits:
(1) look underneath at the Y-pipe, check the heat shields and the clamps holding them on. They are likely loose/rusted, you can remove the clamps and heat shields completely without adverse effects, or if you don't drive on salted roads and your shields are in good condition, a new metal hose clamp from your local hardware store should work just fine.
(2) look under the engine block near the exhaust manifold, there is a piece of metal that is a heat shield for an oxygen sensor, it is likely rusted out, mine exhibited squeaking as opposed to a rattle. There is no way to replace this piece of metal without extensive work and expense, the dealership just cut it off and called it a day.

Post a video of the rattle and maybe someone can identify the cause with certainty.
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