jimxms2

Hi guys,

My LS460 recently developed a rattle from the front drivers side. It's triggered more by rumbles/vibrations from an uneven surface rather than speed bumps or large pot holes.

It sounds a bit like a washer vibrating on a metal tray (for what that's worth)!

Interestingly though it gets a LOT worse when the car is in 'Comfort' suspension mode, and is nowhere near as bad in 'Sports' mode. So it seems that having the suspension higher gives this thing more room to rattle.

I noticed in the service history that the front passenger air strut was replaced 30k ago, so I'm worrying that there is a large bill on the horizon.

Help appreciated as always

tpocean

Hello,
A lot of us who own the LS have had to get our front control arms replaced , because the bushings wear out. Have any mechanic raise the car and he will see immediately if that is your problem……I could write for an hour on this subject………
Do a search in the forums.....
I still love my 09 a lot, but I had this problem , and had to get it fixed……….
Hope this helps…….

hfahmy

Typical symptom of bad air suspension. search and you will see many posts with same exact problem.

CJITTY

Discussions all over the place on this topic. I highly recommend trying the search feature. Most likely control arms. $500 a piece, hope you have a warranty!

jimxms2

Thanks for the replies guys. I've searched both on CL directly and Google and can only find one other mention of an LS460 with rattling front suspension. Am I possibly searching incorrectly?

I'd ideally like to nail down whether it is the control arms or air strut as I will most likely be DIY'ing the repair.

I've attached a cleaned up recording of the noise (fwiw).

One question: if it were the control arms, why would having the suspension in 'comfort' make the noise a lot worse?

Tee

Sounds like the air strut fluid is pretty much gone and that is why you are getting the rattle in comfort mode.

jimxms2

Has anyone ever DIY replaced one? It all seems fairly easy form what I can tell - my only worry is how you;d go about connecting the air line.

is150

iTrader: (10)

Not sure about the airline. Maybe check the ls430 forums. But if your planning on removing the driver side airbag/shock assembly be sure to have the front passenger side jacked up and on a jack stand too. If not the front sway bar will be under tension, and will be almost impossible for you to remove the driver side assembly.
Ball joint separator would make it easier too.

jimxms2

OK guys, a bit of an update on this.... I just found out that the noise is totally suppressed when I apply the brakes!

I just traveled for about 1/2 mile over some really uneven road with my brakes lightly pressed and there was not a single rattle to be heard!

Could this possibly just be brake pads rattling about in the calipers?

is150

iTrader: (10)

Yes it could be. Id inspect the brake pads and calipers if I were you. Make sure the pads dont have any free play in the caliper. Keep us updates.

fu2

is your ls460 a rear wheel drive or an all wheel drive

jimxms2

FIXED IT!!!!

I pulled the brake pads out of both front wheels and compared them. The one that was rattling was missing half of the fitting kit!!

On the image below in part # 04947 it was missing one of the V shaped clips and both of the U shaped ones!!!



To think my car has never been outside of a main dealer and this has happened just sucks!

greg3852

Nice job...

is150

iTrader: (10)

Good to see that you found the problem. I replaced the rear pads on my buddys CTS-V. While pulling out the old pads one of them was in backwards with the metal shim facing the rotor.

jimxms2

Wow now that's crazy!

So glad to have tracked it down and it not be the air strut!