LX470 Strange noise and behavior diagnoses. (1 Viewer)

[Cohort]

Hello,

I have a bit of time sensitivity in fixing my LX470. It is a family car and at the moment my everyday driver. I am a very green wrench, bad at diagnoses and nervous about putting things back together wrong, but not afraid to break a sweat. I enjoy working on my vehicles because it saves me money and I enjoy the vehicle's capabilities, not because I love the hobby of wrenching.

I'll get the specs out of the way:
2004 LX470 with Landcruiser suspension. 219000 miles, recently purchased from a shady dealership. Vehicle was looked over by a mechanic before purchase, given a green light.

The build up:
I had the famous "thump" with my vehicle when coming to a stop or starting to move from a stop.
I heard a "pop" when making a sharp turn in a parking deck.
I bought the car from a dishonest (for other reasons) dealership that replaced the vehicle axels and put on new boots on the CV.
My dif lock occasionally would kick in on its own, easily cured by some back and forth movement.
Check engine light came on with the traction control lights about a week and a half before this happened.
My second daughter came a bit early, and that has consumed a lot of my time, I have not had a chance to get the vehicle propped up and thoroughly looked over by myself. The "pop" happened literally going to pick up the wife to take her to the hospital, so please don't be afraid to mention any obvious things to check or look over.

The Symptoms:
A moderately loud pop sound followed by the following
Low speed, particularly from a stop or parking, grinding sound coming from the front of the vehicle when accelerating.
At low speed, particularly from a stop or parking, higher RPM delivered to get the truck moving than feels right.
Issue seemingly goes away when going over 30mph or so.
I can shift to 4th and 3rd gear without issue.
Sporadic and rarely a particularly unhealthy sound coming from under the hood accompanied by some vehicle vibrations.

I'm willing to got the extra mile and supply pictures if that helps. I'm not stupid but definitely am retarded so talking me through your diagnoses process like I'm a 5th grader would save me a little head ache.

Thank you in advance.

 

[excessive]

check the following, this is in order of likelihood:

bushings in lower control arm
bushings in upper control arm
Steering rack bushings
front diff bushings

i've also heard of some finding the body mount bushings causing noises, but it seems less commong.

 

[Cohort]

check the following, this is in order of likelihood:

bushings in lower control arm
bushings in upper control arm
Steering rack bushings
front diff bushings

i've also heard of some finding the body mount bushings causing noises, but it seems less commong.

Awesome. How would I go about narrowing it down to which it is? I can get the truck up on a jack later this week.

 

[GerLC100]

All this is when driving straight? Or only in a right or only left turn?

Front diff bushings (lots of videos online, they typically show the problem and then the replacement):
- car parked, engine running
- someone lays under the car watching the diff or you install/ place a cam
- shift from P to D/R and watch whether the diff jumps up and down

Steering rack (similar: many videos online where it is and what to look for):
- goes together with diff
- stand still and turn from very left to very right
- wiggle a bit back and forth
- take a video and watch for movement

And then I'd just check shocks, upper and lower control arm, tie rods, brake calipers, and whatever is down there whether or not everything is nicely bolted up and tight.


In general to me sounds a bit like the main problem might be while driving and rotating, but just make sure the basics are ok to rule it out. and videos/ pics always help much more than words so if you have a chance to upload them, it would be great.

 

[Zuberg]

Where are you in Virginia? if you're near Warrenton/Gainesville area feel free to drop by sometime and I can help you take a look.

Also, may be worth taking it by OTRAMM if you're near enough. I barely have time to fix things so if I need a quick diagnosis or help on something that's evading me, Ryan is quick to help and advise.

I didn't see it mentioned but stabilizer bushings are probably shot as well. At over 200k miles and 20 years old a lot of the rubber is going to be tired or downright shot at this point.

 

[Cohort]

Where are you in Virginia? if you're near Warrenton/Gainesville area feel free to drop by sometime and I can help you take a look.

Also, may be worth taking it by OTRAMM if you're near enough. I barely have time to fix things so if I need a quick diagnosis or help on something that's evading me, Ryan is quick to help and advise.

I didn't see it mentioned but stabilizer bushings are probably shot as well. At over 200k miles and 20 years old a lot of the rubber is going to be tired or downright shot at this point.

I live in Hanover, but I would be absolutely willing to take the trip out for some perspective and mentorship. Our family mechanic is Caton's in Woodbridge, can't say enough good things about them, but they have a slow turn around time and are far way. So your reputable shop recommendation goes a long way.

 

[Cohort]

All this is when driving straight? Or only in a right or only left turn?

Front diff bushings (lots of videos online, they typically show the problem and then the replacement):
- car parked, engine running
- someone lays under the car watching the diff or you install/ place a cam
- shift from P to D/R and watch whether the diff jumps up and down

Steering rack (similar: many videos online where it is and what to look for):
- goes together with diff
- stand still and turn from very left to very right
- wiggle a bit back and forth
- take a video and watch for movement

And then I'd just check shocks, upper and lower control arm, tie rods, brake calipers, and whatever is down there whether or not everything is nicely bolted up and tight.


In general to me sounds a bit like the main problem might be while driving and rotating, but just make sure the basics are ok to rule it out. and videos/ pics always help much more than words so if you have a chance to upload them, it would be great.

This is extremely helpful and reassuring. Thank you.