kevin.tran

iTrader: (4)

I get this clunking/popping noise from the front end when I go over speed bumps, small bumps in the roads at low speeds and when entering or exiting driveways. I replaced my ball joints and tie rods a year ago. I've done a search and it sounds like the UCA bushings? Anyone has or have had these symtoms?

I'm on 20's, H&R springs w/ bilsteins shocks/struts (had the shocks for a few months) and a tower brace.

kevin.tran

iTrader: (4)

nothing anyone?

Alexus_300

iTrader: (4)

Check your sway bar endlinks to make sure that they are in good condition. Also, check out the sway bar mouting bracket to make sure that its not crack.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Bring it to the mechanics, they should check it free.

kamlung

iTrader: (8)

i had this problem only when the wheel was slightly turned out and i would go over a bump... for example backing out of a driveway and turning out... when the wheel would hit from the driveway to the road, the bump would cause a click/pop...

it turned out to be my UCA ball joint...

UDel

Clunks, squeeks, and popping noises are very common with the Lexus GS stock or modded and it seems it rarely gets properly diagnosed or fixed and is a big mystery why so many GS make creaking squeeking noises when it goes over speed bumps or bumps. It is amazing how it is such a common problem yet mechanics or Lexus seem clueless what it is and how to fix it. My "luxury" GS sounds worse then a old 70's junky American car going over bumps with the loud squeeking creaking noise it makes and after taking it to several mechanics nobody seems to know exactly what it is or how to stop it without experimenting and replacing a bunch of expensive parts until they find it which there is no way I am paying that much money to just stop a annoying creaking noise. I have lubricated the exposed bolts in the suspension area and it still does not seem to make any difference. Mechanics say my ball joints are fine. If I had to guess it may be the shock that is making the noise but who knows, it does not make the noise if I have the car stopped and push up and down on the front of the car, only when it is moving and going over bumps so I don't know how you can diagnose it.

Spyder78

iTrader: (7)

Sounds like top hats. Maybe grease the top hats with lithium grease and see what happens.

kevin.tran

iTrader: (4)

how did you know if the UCA ball joint is bad if I was looking at it?

kamlung

iTrader: (8)

you need to lift the front of the car up... then put one hand at the 12 o'clock position of the wheel and the other hand at the 6 o'clock position... push back and forth between both hands to rock the wheel up and down... while you are doing this, look at your ball joint and listen for clicking...

mine was to the point where the rubber boot was ripped and i could see the ball joint moving back and forth inside...

Spyder78

iTrader: (7)

The proper way to test is to remove and test with a torque wrench according to the service manual.

kevin.tran

iTrader: (4)

thanks guys for your help I'll try Kamlung's method first if nothing than I'll try to go to lexus again. Last time they said it was my shocks so I replaced that and didn't help. I'll tell them I think it's my UCA's or something

Spyder78

iTrader: (7)

I had a clicking noise when I pressed the brake pedal and rotated the wheel right to left. it turned out that my left upper control arm balljoint was done.

kevin.tran

iTrader: (4)

what about the bushings? If the UCA balljoint is good?

UDel

Are the "top hats" the same as strut mounts or the suspension pieces/bolts you can gain access to by popping the hood that have the plastic covers on them covering the 3 bolts with rubber grommets on them, if so I did spray some white lithium grease on them recently, I might try some more.

UDel

I think it may possibly be the top hats or the center strut bolt that is accessed under hood near the engine that is making the noise. I tried to tighten the center bolt and noticed it started making a similar creaking noise when I put pressure on it to try and move it back and forth. I sprayed it with more Lithium grease but it did not make any difference after taking it for a test drive. Not sure if it is the struts making the creaking noise that may need to be replaced or just the top hat strut mount or portion accessible under hood that is making the noise that may need to be replaced. Would be nice if it was just the top hat portion as it is a much less expensive part and would be much easier to replace. The car does not ride roughly, it just makes that ugly noise.