tbridgers

My Lexus ES300 sounds bad. It sounds like something is rubbing against my tire but it stops after I start driving for a while. It just started doing this a couple of days of ago. Could it be that I need some new steering fluid? Does anyone have any idea what it could be?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

If you can be a bit more descriptive...does occur when the engine is cold, low speeds, metallic sound (like worn brake pads), grinding...does it occur on a fully lock turn. Have you inspected the tire for rub marks, mileage on car, last service...?

tbridgers

it occurs when the engine is cold and the car was serviced less than 3000 miles ago. It sounds more like a thumping than aything else but it sounds like it is grinding when i am turning the wheel when I am backing up.

lexite

It seems like brakes.

tbridgers

I just called midas and the said that it is most likely an axel problem and it would cost $250-300 to fix! Is this the cheapest price?

HarrierAWD

Sure is a strange problem. I'd check these in the following order (from easy to hard.)

Power steering fluid level.
Brake fluid level.
Strut springs.
Check all 4 tires inside and out for scrap marks.
Check brake hose in all 4 wheel wells for scrap marks. (You may need to take each wheel off.)
Wheel bearings (may need repack & grease.) - inspect by turning each wheel hub by hand. I think the wheel bearing is the most likely cause. Especially if you have run through deep water lately. Let me know if I win.
Inspect brake pads for clearance.

I didn't know ES300 has solid axel like my '79 Ford Fairmont. Those Midas guys sure are creative.

yoji6365

If you needed PS fluid, the sound wont go away, it will squeal as long as the level is low.

yoji6365

Is your sign "My kids beat up your Honor student"a joke or reality?

tbridgers

The thumping stopped and now it is just clicking every time I turn, especially when I make right turns. That is why midas said it was an axel.

yoji6365

Clicking on turns is one of the symptoms of a CV joint going bad. Id get that replaced when the noise gets really unbearable or when you feel your life is in danger.

tbridgers

$275+tax to fix it.

link13

Do yourself a favor and stay the hell away from Midas. Midas sucks.

93lexuses

Did you have it checked to see what it was or is that just a quote without it being checked? When my axel went bad it was a clicking sound and the more i drove it the worse it got. When i say that i mean it would not be so bad when i first got in the car, but the further i drove the worse the sound would get. It also shook the steering wheel. Like it needed a front end alignment or something. It was click, click, click and the faster i went the faster the clicking. It never thumped.

Oh yeah, It did it when i drove straight and when i went around a bend. It just did it all the time. I can't remember if it was worse on straight aways or bends. I just know that it was annoying and when it first started i was afraid to drive it home cause i had no clue what was going on. I thought that my wheel was coming off. I stopped at a garage and they told me what it was and they said it was ok to drive home.