Loud Knocking Sound From Front Wheel Area

[Alejandro]

Hi, I have a 2002 GS300. For some time now I have been having issues with a loud knocking sound coming from the front drivers side wheel. I hear the loud knocking sound when I am backing out of a parking spot, and sometimes when I hit a pothole or a speed bump. I lifted the car up and cannot see anything loose, etc. Any ideas of what this could be? Rack and Pinion? Suspension bushing? Has anyone has had knocking sound before? Thx.

[silverbullitt]

Hey Alejandro, I feel your pain. I went a yr n a half trying to find my knock. I've change my upper control arms & both lower control arms, lower ball joints, put on new new struts n springs & it still knocked & clunked. My clunk went away when I changed my rack n pinion. Now my car rides like it came off the showroom floor now. Smooth & ultra quiet. Best $100 investment so far.

[Alejandro]

Wow, you change a lot of parts, but I would the same to get my car running smooth with no knocking sounds. One mechanic told me my rack n pinion was bad, but wanting a second opinion others mentioned that rack n pinion was great and did not need to be changed. I'll go ahead and change the rack n pinion and hopefully like in your case it gets rid of the knocking sound.

Thanks SilverBullitt, I appreciate your input and information

[silverbullitt]

Anytime. If you need any info on your GS, any info. feel free to ask. I do my own labor. Now i'm going to start working on the rear end of the car. Replacing arms, upper n lower.

[Alejandro]

Thanks a lot.

[addz]

Alej, did you get to the bottom of your issue?

[shenbrz]

Hi, I think I have the same problem as you guys about rattling after going over a bump or pot holes in the road. The noise isn't load, but I feel the front end sounds loose.

I just changed my two front ball joints in August, which had some slight play. The noise is still there as I went over some repettitive bumps on the road going about 30-40mph.

You think still think I still need to change the rack and pinion unit?

[silverbullitt]

To all the 2nd generation lexus GS owners who having front end clunk, do yourself a favor & change your rack & pinion system. I got tired of getting my tires balanced frequently, front end shaking & vibration @ highway speeds, car swaying pulling out of lane. Like I posted I changed everything, even the rack bushings n sway bar bushings, still clunked & rode like crap.I bought a used rack for $100 & did the labor myself bout 6hrs. Clunk is 100% gone totally. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back!