Loud Metallic Pop Noise In Front Suspension

[mhill]

2005: GX470 Sport Package: 39k miles: Certified Pre-Owned: I'm a new Lexus owner and new to this board, so thanks for any info that you can provide. My GX has developed a nasty sounding loud metallic "pop" sound from the front suspension (mostly on the driver's side) when I am backing out of a parking spot, turning the wheels and applying the brake. At first I was thinking that this noise is probably the front brake pads shifting within their slots inside the brake callipers, but the noise is so loud that this now seems unrealistic. My dealer's service dept. blamed the noise on this "normal operation" of the brake pads shifting upon braking, but I don't hear this on other GX's, so I am skeptical of the conclusion and I want to make sure that there is not something more serious developing. Has anybody else experienced this? Thx!

[jerm8]

2005: GX470 Sport Package: 39k miles: Certified Pre-Owned: I'm a new Lexus owner and new to this board, so thanks for any info that you can provide. My GX has developed a nasty sounding loud metallic "pop" sound from the front suspension (mostly on the driver's side) when I am backing out of a parking spot, turning the wheels and applying the brake. At first I was thinking that this noise is probably the front brake pads shifting within their slots inside the brake callipers, but the noise is so loud that this now seems unrealistic. My dealer's service dept. blamed the noise on this "normal operation" of the brake pads shifting upon braking, but I don't hear this on other GX's, so I am skeptical of the conclusion and I want to make sure that there is not something more serious developing. Has anybody else experienced this? Thx!

I'm fairly new as well, but have read quite a few threads talking about aftermarket pads. My LS400 does the same thing. It is quite annoying and I find myself minimizing how much I brake when I back out anywhere by shifting it into neutral and coasting out of the parking spot. I don't want people to hear that sound coming from my car! I am certain that my car has aftermarket brake pads, but I just haven't wanted to tear into yet. It can be a fairly loud clunk. To me, it sounds like the same thing as what I have going on.

[mhill]

2005: GX470 Sport Package: 39k miles: Certified Pre-Owned: I'm a new Lexus owner and new to this board, so thanks for any info that you can provide. My GX has developed a nasty sounding loud metallic "pop" sound from the front suspension (mostly on the driver's side) when I am backing out of a parking spot, turning the wheels and applying the brake. At first I was thinking that this noise is probably the front brake pads shifting within their slots inside the brake callipers, but the noise is so loud that this now seems unrealistic. My dealer's service dept. blamed the noise on this "normal operation" of the brake pads shifting upon braking, but I don't hear this on other GX's, so I am skeptical of the conclusion and I want to make sure that there is not something more serious developing. Has anybody else experienced this? Thx!

I'm fairly new as well, but have read quite a few threads talking about aftermarket pads. My LS400 does the same thing. It is quite annoying and I find myself minimizing how much I brake when I back out anywhere by shifting it into neutral and coasting out of the parking spot. I don't want people to hear that sound coming from my car! I am certain that my car has aftermarket brake pads, but I just haven't wanted to tear into yet. It can be a fairly loud clunk. To me, it sounds like the same thing as what I have going on.

Thx for the quick feedback. For what it's worth, on mine, the Lexus dealer replaced the front pads as part of the certified pre-owned reconditioning process right before I bought it. I didn't notice this sound for about the first 1,000 miles, then it has been getting progressively louder over the last 4,000 miles. So, your explanation about aftermarket pads would make sense in my situation (the dealer service print-out indicates the pads cost only $50, so you're probably right). Maybe higher quality pads will resolve the issue when it comes time to replace the existing ones. Thanks again!!