Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

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.

ancdmd

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.

Johnhav430

Technically, our cars do not have struts, they have shocks, right? It would make me question the quote.....

DA51

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.

andys57

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.

DA51

Thanks for posting a conclusion. Same problem I had after an alignment, front camber bolt not torqued to 136ft.lb.

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?

StanVanDam

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.