Hello-

I have a question regarding suspension noises. I'm investigating a knocking coming from the rear of my friends car. When I drove it I thought loose bushing or strut mount, but everything seems to be tight. (I tried prying, jacking the wheel, and bouncing the car while feeling around everywhere possible). I know the rear shock absorbers are blown/leaking, will a dried out shock make a noise similar to a loose strut mount/ bushing? I thought the noise would be more of a squeak when your shock is toast.

2001 Lexus RX300 182,000 miles if that helps any. Appear to be original struts.

BTW, I posted this in honda tech (cause I already have an account there) and 24 hours later the only response I had was someone saying "don't know anything about Lexus", which I thought funny because this has nothing to do with Lexus, struts are pretty much the same on every vehicle. Should have said "don't know anything about struts".

Anyways, thanks in advance, I'm gonna get the car on the lift later at my friend's shop I just like getting second and third opinions whenever possible.

 

Typically, if the strut is blown and has lost its internal pressure, it will cause a knock sound on sharp bumps. I would replace the rear struts and upper supports, and road test the car again. If the rears are bad, im sure the fronts probably are as well.