I’ll start out by saying that I read dozens of threads on similar issue but so far none have addressed my issue.

2010 LS460 with 175k miles

Repairs done so far:
New front wheel hubs
New sway bar links
New outer tie rods

I hear 3-4 very loud clicking/popping sounds from the front end when reversing and also when driving forward and turning left. It’s not the brake actuator, seems more suspension/steering related. Only thing I haven’t changed in the front end are the control arms and inner tie rods. Could one of those cause this type of noise? I the clicking is pretty loud to the point that I can feel it inside the car. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Yes, it could also include ball joints. They all can be causing your symptoms.

 

It is likely your front lower rearward control arms for AWD, I am not sure what it is called in RWD.

 

i was really hoping not to have to deal with the control arms 😩. Honestly the most problems I’ve ever had was with this car. Has to be one of the least reliable cars from Lexus.

 

If you have RWD, you have options to replace just bushings. It is much cheaper or go with aftermarket parts.
Usually front control arms fail because:
- low quality aftermarket parts
- improper installation
- treating a heavy luxury sedan as a sport vehicle

 

Number three is the hardest to diagnose. But we all know lots of aggressive drivers. An unspoken danger of purchasing an older high mileage car. I'll bet the F Sport models really get a beating.

 

This one sounds like yours, "under investigation"

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...33811-9999.pdf

 

That expired in 2013.

 

I saw that, it was a tech tip not a tsb. They disappear quickly.

 

I’m leaning towards the lower ball joins. Seems like a simple enough job (fingers crossed). Gonna try that

 

I believe, the document below addresses issues with the steering.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...32126-9999.pdf

 

Bad roads with lots of pot holes don't help either.

 

The shame is, you really are replacing the things that usually DON’T go wrong with these cars, and instead ignoring the thing that is the NUMBER ONE BY FAR issue with these cars. The control arms. And now you’re going to replace the ball joints? That’s not exactly an easy job on this car, not the the end of the world, but honestly I think the control arms are easier to do.

I hope the ball joints work for you, but if they don’t, you know what it is.

 

being new to ls 460 take my advice with a grain of salt but it truly sounds like a control arm problem

 

I had a popping/clicking/clunking noise from the front. Seemed partially related to steering, but not always. Turns out the lower strut bush was binding. Replaced the bushes and the noise went away.

I had an independent garage do the work, they kept my original arms and just replaced the bushes. All up, the whole job plus a new set of tyres cost less than what Lexus quoted just to replace the bushes.