93 Es300 - Noisy Suspension

[LexiN00b]

Hi all, I just purchased my very first Lexus yesterday from my father. I've had my eye on this car since he bought it new, and he's quite probably the most religious maintainer of vehicles in the world (except some of you obviously talented and devoted individuals). It's got 147K miles on the body, and after a freak engine seizure years ago at 45k miles the engine was replaced by the dealer a mere 500 miles from the end of warranty. Dad's a lucky man. :)

Anyways, the car is in excellent shape, but I have two problems with it. (1) the gauge needles are shot, but I'm looking into LexTech's service on those. (2) the suspension is very noisy and harsh-riding compared to what I remember it being new. I would like to completely restore the suspension to re-establish that dreamy ride quality and quietness that I know this car should have.

I've searched these forums, and am trying to compile all the suggestions into one shopping list of things to check and replace. I'm not very mechanically inclined, although I did manage to rebuild an old Bug engine in high school 15 years ago ... god I'm getting up there in age. Anyways, what I know about suspensions could fit on an index card with a font large enough for my half-blind grandma to read.

Symptoms:

1. Low "creaking" noise from the rear suspension on large bumps, like those giant speedbumps sprouting up everywhere. Can also detect this noise if I physically push up and down on the tail of the car and get her bouncing.

2. In the front, every little bump is audible. It kind of sounds like "tire slap" or something most of the time, with short, high-pitched staccato noises combined with "thuds". You know that sound when you're flying on a freeway overpass at 80mph, and you are rolling over those deep grooves between sections of concrete? That's what I hear on every bump, speed seems irrelevant. There are also creaking noises during larger spring travels.

3. With some road irregularities, like shallow potholes and so forth, I can feel them in the steering wheel. Sometimes it's just a little jab to the wheel, other times at parking lot speed it will actually pull the wheel in either direction slightly. To me, it seems that a torquing force on the tire is being relayed to the steering wheel too much.

Would anyone be willing to provide a thorough list of things I could have a qualified mechanic check? And what would you rate the difficulty in DIY replacement of these items? I'm not afraid to get in there and learn to do it, but I have no knowledge on suspension components. Also, what special tools are required to work with suspensions?

Thanks for any replies and recommendations. I've already learned a TON of stuff about my car by reading here.

LexiN00b

[godfather18]

Hi all, I just purchased my very first Lexus yesterday from my father. I've had my eye on this car since he bought it new, and he's quite probably the most religious maintainer of vehicles in the world (except some of you obviously talented and devoted individuals). It's got 147K miles on the body, and after a freak engine seizure years ago at 45k miles the engine was replaced by the dealer a mere 500 miles from the end of warranty. Dad's a lucky man. :)

Anyways, the car is in excellent shape, but I have two problems with it. (1) the gauge needles are shot, but I'm looking into LexTech's service on those. (2) the suspension is very noisy and harsh-riding compared to what I remember it being new. I would like to completely restore the suspension to re-establish that dreamy ride quality and quietness that I know this car should have.

I've searched these forums, and am trying to compile all the suggestions into one shopping list of things to check and replace. I'm not very mechanically inclined, although I did manage to rebuild an old Bug engine in high school 15 years ago ... god I'm getting up there in age. Anyways, what I know about suspensions could fit on an index card with a font large enough for my half-blind grandma to read.

Symptoms:

1. Low "creaking" noise from the rear suspension on large bumps, like those giant speedbumps sprouting up everywhere. Can also detect this noise if I physically push up and down on the tail of the car and get her bouncing.

2. In the front, every little bump is audible. It kind of sounds like "tire slap" or something most of the time, with short, high-pitched staccato noises combined with "thuds". You know that sound when you're flying on a freeway overpass at 80mph, and you are rolling over those deep grooves between sections of concrete? That's what I hear on every bump, speed seems irrelevant. There are also creaking noises during larger spring travels.

3. With some road irregularities, like shallow potholes and so forth, I can feel them in the steering wheel. Sometimes it's just a little jab to the wheel, other times at parking lot speed it will actually pull the wheel in either direction slightly. To me, it seems that a torquing force on the tire is being relayed to the steering wheel too much.

Would anyone be willing to provide a thorough list of things I could have a qualified mechanic check? And what would you rate the difficulty in DIY replacement of these items? I'm not afraid to get in there and learn to do it, but I have no knowledge on suspension components. Also, what special tools are required to work with suspensions?

Thanks for any replies and recommendations. I've already learned a TON of stuff about my car by reading here.

LexiN00b

1. That low creaking noise is your rear stabalizer bushings and theres two of them to replace very inexpensive parts.

2.That thumping noise could be three things, one it could that you need to replace your struts mounts, two the strut bumps that are right above the strut pole surrounded by your springs needs grease, three you need new struts.

3.That steering wheel problem is you inner tie rods.

[an27847]

Hi there,

It was very interesting to come across your posting while I was researching on problems very similar to the ones that you had on your ES 300. I've owned a '94 ES 300 for 1.5 yrs now and its a dream ride. Off late though, I hear the squeaks from somewhere behind me and I've been noticing the slightly bumpy ride on not so even surfaces. If you've gotten around to compiling your list and had any success with your the suspension issues, could you pleas share it with me?!

Thanks a million!

-Anil

[depthrecordings]

Im having the same issues. I will be replacing the struts and bushings this weekend. I will update as the the outcome.