Where to start looking for that clicking noise?

[yosshaa]

2019 gx 111,xxx miles
lift info from 3/2024:
Billstien 6112s up front and 5110s for the rear. Standard weight Bilstein spring up front with an Eibach load leveling kit in the back, complete with new progressive bump stops.
The truck now sits 22" up front and 22.5" in the rear from the center cap to the bottom of the fender before lift, measurements were 20.25" front and 21.25 rear.

Problem:
A single clicking noise, I can replicate by coming to an abrupt stop while idling in gear, i hear it other times while braking at low speeds with the windows down, feels like its coming from the front.
I do see tears in the A arms but I think they have been present long before this sound, maybe finally dried out?
No noticeable tears in bushings, at least the sway bar bushings that are visible... maybe end links?

Suspension seems tight, and no drifting or handling errors.

Where would you start looking? Or is there a common issue I'm not aware of?

 

[iwashmycar]

Does it only do it with braking involved? Have those been changed at all? Could be pad in the caliper. Might check all the pins and pad springs are in place.

 

[llm]

Do you feel a slight shift when the click occurs?

 

[Rednexus]

Could also be driveshaft slip yolk and U-joints needing greasing.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Could also be driveshaft slip yolk and U-joints needing greasing.

My idea as well.

 

[r2m]

If it's repeatable, take it to a shop, Lexus or an independent and have them look at it. If it's a cheap fix, leave it. If it's something you can do, at least now you know what the issue is and do it yourself.

 

[yosshaa]

Following up after nearly a week at Bell Lexus they found the front crash bar had come loose, was flexing and hitting the frame.

 

[re_guderian]

Following up after nearly a week at Bell Lexus they found the front crash bar had come loose, was flexing and hitting the frame.

Good catch, but also slightly concerning...

 

[llm]

Following up after nearly a week at Bell Lexus they found the front crash bar had come loose, was flexing and hitting the frame.

good thing it was something easy. I also had a strange click when braking and turning slowly. Feared it was the CVs or LCA bushings. It turned out to be a missing skid plate captive bolt in the cross member, causing the skid to bang the frame with any flex.

 

[yosshaa]

Update first fix was the crash bar bolt had back out a little causing it to flex into the frame. Got that fixed and still heard a noise.

Next fix, Lexus put in a new steering racks and tie rods as I found signifficant play in the tie rods and a leak in the boot.

Now I seem to have a noise not repeatable but I hear it while turning left and hitting a dip. Doesn't feel like suspension as I don't hear anything over speed bumps. Since steering rack was replaced I'm not sure if there's anything else to check in steering?

At this point lexus has at least 10 hours into finding noises in my front end so safe to assume it may not be the upper control arms, lower control arms, or kdss

 

[r2m]

Now I seem to have a noise not repeatable but I hear it while turning left and hitting a dip. Doesn't feel like suspension as I don't hear anything over speed bumps. Since steering rack was replaced I'm not sure if there's anything else to check in steering?

Where is this noise emanating from? Does it still sound like the front end?
When you say, "... turning left and hitting a dip." I assume pulling into a driveway? At slow speeds too?

 

[re_guderian]

These are maddening to troubleshoot, as you're finding out. When I hear turn and bump, I immediately thing upper/lower ball joints or shock bolts. With 10 hours, I'm SURE the Lexus techs have inspected these, but are your upper and lower ball joint boots intact? I would think at 111K miles they should be, but you never know. 200k+ is usually the interval for ball joint failure, but you never know. There's also about a million other things it could be, sorry...

 

[yosshaa]

The noise seems like its coming front the front, low on the car, and from the passenger side. With new tires (2 months ago), new brakes (6 months ago), suspension (less than 2 years ago), steering rack (3 weeks ago) being installed I feel like its process of elimination. I got under the gx this week when I did the front diff, transfer case, and rear diff fluid change and nothing stood out other then the lower control arm bushings next to the brake calipers had grease coming from the bottom of both sides.... I don't have a lot to go on.

L certfied Warranty ends in 11 days so I'm hoping they find the fix adn warrnety covers it!

 

[iwashmycar]

When the lift went on, I assume all the control arms were tightened with the truck on the ground? Cant tighten them in the air if they are OE or OE-style bushings.

 

[yosshaa]

Lexus confirmed noise is again coming from the crash/impact bar, they are citing a broken spot weld.

 

[UURX]

do they have pictures they can show you of these said broken welds?
If they can confirm that is in fact the problem, they would be able to see the crack and take a picture