I have a clunking sound coming from the back end. It is most noticeable at lower speeds going over bumps. I can also make the clunk happen by grabbing the top of the right rear tire and rocking it. I can feel something moving while I am doing this, but I can't pinpoint it. The bushings seem to be in good condition. The left rear wheel bearing was replaced recently. I also have an intermittent brake pulsation which feels like a warped rotor. I don't think it is actually the rotor, because it doesn't happen every time I apply the brakes. I believe that these two things are related. Is it possible for the rear struts to cause these issues?

 

could be the struts, but sounds like the sway bar / sway bar links to me.

 

Could the sway bar cause a wobble that translates through the brakes?

 

+1 I'm thinking the struts also as I have the same issue and my mechanic friend checked it out and told me

what's your mileage?

 

Mileage is 94K

 

I'm now at 110k but around 100k is when they start to go bad supposedly so I'm thinking it may be the struts

 

I might have a couple things going on here.. It doesn't seem like the struts would cause an intermittent pulsing in the brakes. It feels like a warped rotor, but it doesn't happen every time I brake... I am suspecting the right rear wheel bearing, but it isn't making any noise.

 

If your grabbing the wheel at 12 and 6 and can feel play your wheel bearing needs to be replaced. If there is play in the bearing each time the wheel rotates the the play will cause that brake calipers piston to be pushed in causing a low pedal at first braking after driving. Hope this makes sense. Also have the rear swaybar bushings checked they will cause noise over bumps.

 

Yes, that makes sense. Thanks. I'm going to replace the bearing as soon as possible. There is play in the right rear wheel, and I have the slightly low pedal also. Napa has the bearing for 219.00. I'm assuming they still have quality parts...

 

Same noise on my '08 RX 350 when I bought it. Right rear strut leaking. Replaced all 4 struts at 81,000 miles with OE KYB's from Rockauto.
Car rides like new.


'08 RX 350 Flint Mica/blk 84,000 miles

 

Bearing sounds suspicious too. I had a low speed clink (no wheel movement ), I replaced the struts and mounts and it is all better now

 

OK, please excuse my 1st posting to the club if I make mistakes. I have an 04 RX 330 that I installed a tow hitch on. I started hearing clunking sounds in the back when going down the road, starting off or stopping. I took it into my local miracle worker garage to research. Luckily while walking from the car I looked at the hitch slide I had painted red to reduce shin damage on my body. I decided to grab it and sure enough it moved side to side and up and down in the square metal tubing. I removed the tow hitch and the sound was gone. My mechanic would have laughed me out of town if he found it first. I hope this at least helps with the sound problem. Now I'm trying to work on a broken lumbar motor... Japan sure is proud of their parts with the prices they ask!!!

 

Things of quality have no fear of time...

 

Replaced the right rear bearing today. It was bad, it had separated(if you grabbed both ends, you could move it in and out about 1/16"), and you could feel some unevenness when spun. It seems to have taken care of most of the problem. The clunk associated with the bearing is gone. There is still some vibration, or pulsing while braking. It is about 70% better then it was. I did notice that the axle had some play in it. I'm thinking that the u-joint closest to the wheel might be bad? Could this be the cause of the failed bearing? Or could it be the other way around?