First off, I've searched and didn't find what I was looking for so back off haters.

My 98 300 has 167k miles on it and has NO suspension modifications. The suspension is stiff. When backing out of the garage very slowly off that 2 inch concrete lip and while driving slowly over gravel, I notice the typical knock/clunk sound from the front. No squeaks or creaks. I don't hear it when I brake hard or going over bumps at a higher rate of speed. I did do a subframe retorque, just the 4 17 mm bolts though. I got nearly 4 good turns out of them before I hit 94 ft/lbs on the wrench. That did not help with noise, although today while driving I did notice my car feels straighter over bumps and overall more solid.

My question is about the strut mounts. Are they a common failure? I've had other cars with faulty mounts that made similar sounds, none being a Lexus though. I've tried pushing the front end up and down, side to side and am not able to reproduce the sound. This is my first SC, I'm used to dealing with MKIII supras and have not had this issue with any of them. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

I have the same clunk but I changed the strutmounts out with some decent looking ones that I had and the sound is still there. I'm thinking it may be the shocks.

 

I was thinking I'd buy new shocks and mounts for the front, but I don't want to get into an expensive "process of elimination". I'm just out that situation with the supra.

 

I'd say 165k is asking a lot of the OEM shocks.

 

You're right. When I have the money, new front mounts and shocks will be ordered.

 

Bumping this old thread of mine to reveal the cause of the clunk.

It was the inner tie rod on the passenger side that was the cause. Sadly, a hail storm destroyed that car back in 2011.

 

My car was very similar, repl. the struts at 144,000 they werent that bad. I bought new strut bearing plates did not need them, it was the LCA bushings on the drivers side.

 

had the same issue. I replaced all4 with MK4 shocks and springs and they solved the clunking problem. I tested out the OEM shocks that i took out, they were blown like hell.

 

Sorry to be off topic, but where the 4 subframe bolts? Do I have to remove the bumper to get to them?