randomwalk

Is the LS460 suspension is not smooth as other Lexus model?? The LS460L (air-ride model) the suspension is smoother but the non air-ride it's so rough...or is it just my car?

I bought the car into the dealership today for that clunk in the rear when braking problem for the second time today. A very nice service advisor test drove the car and confirmed the noise. He brought out another CPO of the same model (LS460) and it HAS the same noise I refuse to believe that the flagship of Lexus has this noise and be considered as "normal" while every other car (Lexus loaners) that I drove doesn't have the noise and is super smooth.

Talking about loaner, I got the 2010 ES350 and the suspension is sooooo smooth when going over bumps and such compared to my 2008 LS460. I mean it's a world difference. It feels like the car has air ride (which it doesn't). Does the older/non air ride LS460 model's suspension this bad in comparision or is it "my" car?

Also, anyone with the LS460, when brake to a full stop at moderate braking (not gliding to the stop), is there a "clunk" sound coming from the rear end? The noise is more pronounced when you do this procedure in reverse (ie. backing up and brake to full stop).
I'm thinking that the other LS460 that the service advisor brought out also have the same defect

Can someone help me verify this clunk sound ??

cmasten

no clunk, should be a very smooth ride. Mine has almost 70k miles on it and having driven new, its not much different.

There are several reports of braking sounds and ride issues though, so those with more experience with this issue will chime in soon.

I8ABMR

The braking issue you have is well known. As far as the roughness to the ride I cant say that mine is rough. My car is in for the wind noise tsib and I currently have a 2011 ES loaner and its noisy and rough riding. When I drive the ES I cant believe that I complained about my LS being noisy. As far as ride quality what kind of tires on on the car??

randomwalk

It's the suspension noise as you brake..the noise is not caused by the brake itself. The brake noise is more like a click or series of clicks...usually caused by the brake actuator...this is NOT it. It's a "CLUNKING" sound...like two loose piece of metal slamming together. It's definately a suspension sound.
It's also NOT caused by the brake rotor (as our car has floating brake rotors..but so does almost all other Lexus, Toyotas, Hondas etc)...almost all disc brake vehicles has floating rotors (floating rotors = rotors that are only hold by the wheel locknut).
My educated guess is that it's the strut, springs, and strut mount related issue. Also could be bad drive shaft (as with another member here). Sadly, the car only have about 19,000 miles...

Can someone else confirm that this sound is NOT normal? We tested drove another CPO LS460 and it has the same sound...i'm thinking the other car also has bad suspension issue thus not a fair comparision as "normal noise".