Please help me figure out what this could be? It sounds like it's coming from the steering well, but my husband thinks it's suspension-related.

It's always on the first start of the day, never subsequent starts.
It started every few days, then every other day, now it's daily.

We have a 2000 LX 470 with about 120K.

 

Hi I'm not sure but as your husband said could be suspension related sounds like something trying to adjust itself have you check the suspension fluid if it's low or empty.Post the topic in this site as it's a bit slow here www.Ih8mud .com go to the 100 series forum same car as lx470 forum post it there.

 

Thank you!
Where is the reservoir located?

 

Beside power steering oil right next to passenger side wiper.

 

 

Thank you!!!

 

Let me know how you go.If its low makesure you fill it up with genuinen toyota suspension oil from dealer or so on.

 

And without either my being a male chauvinest pig, or declaring war on women, kick your husband's tail if he didn't check the fluid level, at least 2X / month.

Great work on your part.

Steve

 

Shop thinks it's the ABS pump/booster but wants to replace the master cylinder -- can't the pump be replaced on its own?

 

Did you end up getting the ABS pump/booster replaced? Or did you find an alternate solution to the problem? My car has been making the EXACT same sound for months, and now will alarm with VSC, ABS, Brake lights on and will stop on its own without any seeming intervention. Brakes and traction feel okay throughout all of this. The dealer told me it needs a new master cylinder with booster and pump at a $3400 price tag. Would appreciate any advice or experience in this situation!

 

Hi there,
So they diagnosed it indeed as the Master Brake Cylinder booster/pump/etc. and that's the price we paid as well. I did a lot of calling around to get price quotes and they all came in the same because the part is SO expensive. It was a very very painful thing to have to pay for, but it was worth it I guess because it's a good car.

I wasn't having any lights come on, just the sound in the morning most mornings and it was getting louder and longer before it went away. If you're already having lights come on, I would get it done ASAP. That was supposedly the next step as it would have progressed and I didn't want to wait that long because apparently brakes can go out instantly all of a sudden.

Good luck and sorry to have to share the bad news :P