Front Suspension Clonking

[jsj24uk]

Evening all.

I had a problem with the LS before Christmas. The front suspension would make a knocking noise when the steering was on full lock in either direction and the car was travelling slowly, eg, when parking. I took it back to the dealer who found one bolt on the suspension somewhere wasn't tight enough and all was well.

Anyway, the knocking has come back with a vengence. It is going back tomorrow to be looked at but I wonderd if anyone had some ideas I could throw their way to get it sorted. I still have over a year and a halfs worth of Lexus warrenty on the car so this is going to be a money no object repair.

Any ideas would be of great help.

Thanks again.

Jim.

[Haylands]

Hi

When this happens on the 400's it's the upper wishbone bushes.... have also heard of some steering rack failures causing a similar noise.

Let us know what they do...

Pete

[dazz32]

Lower ball joint..?

[jsj24uk]

Hi Pete.

Thanks for the info. It is just being looked at tomorrow but will be going in on Wednesday next week for an oil change and a parking sensor replacement. They couldn't find anything wring with it last time other than this bolt but if I tell the nice lady to write down on her sheet to have a look at the upper wishbone bushes, then they might get to the bottom of it a bit quicker.

Will keep you updated.

Jim.

[JellyBean]

If it's going to be fixed by Lexus under warranty, surely you don't need to worry about it at all ? That is the idea of warranty.

[jsj24uk]

If it's going to be fixed by Lexus under warranty, surely you don't need to worry about it at all ? That is the idea of warranty.

The idea of warrenty in principle is fantastic but when it has been repaired before and the knocking noise comes back, then it is a pain to have to take time off work to have it looked at again when it should have been done in the first place so money has been lost.

Anyway, it has been looked at again today and the same part, which was described as a suspension adjuster (your guess is a good as mine) has been tightend so no more noise. If the knocking noise does come back, I will ask if the offending part can be replaced rather than tightend.

Jim.

[aido]

Why don't they give you a courtesy car instead of you having to take time off work - or is the dealer a long way away? Agree it's a PITA when the root cause isn't identified though and they keep tackling something with a sticking plaster approach!

[dave1]

The idea of warrenty in principle is fantastic but when it has been repaired before and the knocking noise comes back, then it is a pain to have to take time off work to have it looked at again when it should have been done in the first place so money has been lost.

Jim.

If you can't get to the dealer to pick up a courtesy car, most Lexus dealers can collect your car and deliver it back to you for warranty jobs or servicing.

My GS 430 had a slight clonk on o/s/f which they diagnosed as upper wishbone which is going to be replaced under warranty.

Hope its sorted soon.

[jsj24uk]

The knocking noise on the car came back on Tuesday evening. The noise is almost like a loud crack. When hearing a noise like this, there could well have been some safety issue with the car. I'm no mechanic and have no experience in the automotive industry but when you can hear and feel such a loud noise, then in my opinion it's unsafe. Because of this the car needed to be looked at quickly. The only gap that the garage could fit me in for was today when a courtesy car was not available. Warrenty or no warrenty, it's time off work when I'm loosing money. Warrenty's also don't cover inconvenience, especially when it is the same problem which has returned.

Anyway, I will monitor the situation and hopefully it won't come back. It is also going in this coming Wednesday for a parking sensor to be replaced and an oil and filter change for which a courtesy car has been booked.

Sorry for sounding frumpy.

Jim.

[dave1]

The knocking noise on the car came back on Tuesday evening. The noise is almost like a loud crack. When hearing a noise like this, there could well have been some safety issue with the car. I'm no mechanic and have no experience in the automotive industry but when you can hear and feel such a loud noise, then in my opinion it's unsafe. Because of this the car needed to be looked at quickly. The only gap that the garage could fit me in for was today when a courtesy car was not available. Warrenty or no warrenty, it's time off work when I'm loosing money. Warrenty's also don't cover inconvenience, especially when it is the same problem which has returned.

Anyway, I will monitor the situation and hopefully it won't come back. It is also going in this coming Wednesday for a parking sensor to be replaced and an oil and filter change for which a courtesy car has been booked.

Sorry for sounding frumpy.

Jim.

I think I would be a bit frazzled if that had happened to me! If I had been concerned about the car being potentially dangerous, I think that the RAC membership would have been utilised.

Several years ago an Audi 100 that I owned didn't "feel" right when I was near Folkestone. I called out the recovery/breakdown organisation which I belonged to at the time even though the car was not "broken down". The mechanic drove the car about 25 yds and said it was unsafe and I was liable to lose a rear wheel if I drove it. Since that incident I always call on the rescue service I belong to at that time.