Some background:
2005 Lexus GX470 with 112k miles on it. Very well maintained by previous owner. I've had it for the last 6k miles or so.
When i bought the truck i noticed that there was a pretty loud clunk when i was turning right to get into my driveway. I did some research and lots of people suggested that i need to replace the sway bar end links.
I bought some high quality non-OEM end links (used the same brand in the past on other cars with great success) and i replaced them WITHOUT replacing the sway bar bushings. Since i also replaced the CV boots when i bought the truck and i had to touch it, I also re-tightened the lower ball joint large nut - just in case.
All of this FIXED the clunk. The truck was quiet for about 3-4k miles.
Now, i have a new suspension clunk from the driver side. It happens only when i pull out of my driveway and/or when i start turning the steering wheel. It clunks once and then for miles, regardless of how i drive...the truck is quiet. Another time when i can hear it is when i step on the brakes hard and the truck leans forward. As the front end dives in, this is when i hear the clunk. Turning the steering to the right or left while moving does not bring the noise most of the time.
So, the new clunk is similar to what we had before but it is not the same, or at least it is triggered by different conditions (braking, moving the car after it's been staying parked for awhile, etc)
There are no other symptoms. No vibrations, no pulling to the side, no other strange noises. Everything under the truck looks tight and clean. Front shocks were replaced at 67k miles with OEM parts.
Where should i start looking? Any bushings that may be going bad at this mileage/age? Any common weak areas to inspect? Could it be the sway bar bushings, since i did not replace them?
Thanks!
2005 Lexus GX470 with 112k miles on it. Very well maintained by previous owner. I've had it for the last 6k miles or so.
When i bought the truck i noticed that there was a pretty loud clunk when i was turning right to get into my driveway. I did some research and lots of people suggested that i need to replace the sway bar end links.
I bought some high quality non-OEM end links (used the same brand in the past on other cars with great success) and i replaced them WITHOUT replacing the sway bar bushings. Since i also replaced the CV boots when i bought the truck and i had to touch it, I also re-tightened the lower ball joint large nut - just in case.
All of this FIXED the clunk. The truck was quiet for about 3-4k miles.
Now, i have a new suspension clunk from the driver side. It happens only when i pull out of my driveway and/or when i start turning the steering wheel. It clunks once and then for miles, regardless of how i drive...the truck is quiet. Another time when i can hear it is when i step on the brakes hard and the truck leans forward. As the front end dives in, this is when i hear the clunk. Turning the steering to the right or left while moving does not bring the noise most of the time.
So, the new clunk is similar to what we had before but it is not the same, or at least it is triggered by different conditions (braking, moving the car after it's been staying parked for awhile, etc)
There are no other symptoms. No vibrations, no pulling to the side, no other strange noises. Everything under the truck looks tight and clean. Front shocks were replaced at 67k miles with OEM parts.
Where should i start looking? Any bushings that may be going bad at this mileage/age? Any common weak areas to inspect? Could it be the sway bar bushings, since i did not replace them?
Thanks!
