How I Fixed The Famous Rattling Sound From The Front

[Eric Cheung]

My 97 ES300 had the famous fornt end rattling noise problem. The noise was very obvious when going over bumps or uneven roads when the car was cold. The noise was less obvious when the car warmed up. I read many posts in LOC and concluded the culprit of my car's problem to be the strut mount and/or bump stop.

I fixed the problem last night and want to share my fix here. I was able to fix it the simple way - by spraying silicone lubricant spray from inside the hood. Now the noise is gone. Here are the steps:

1. Jack up the car until the left front tire is off ground

2. Remove the left shock absober cap from inside the hood by removing the 3 nuts (if the suspension is the non-adjustable type it may not have this cap and this step probably can be skipped. My car is with adjustable suspension and has this cap)

3. With the top of the strut mount now exposed, spay silicone lubricant inside the strut mount along the edge from the hole at the top of the strut mount. That is, spay around the boundary between the inside wall of the strut mount and the round-shaped rubber piece at the centre of the strut mount. Spray slowly and give time for the liquid lubricant to flow down the strut mount. Repeat the spay many times. I did it about 10 times for each strut.

4. Lower the car and repeat the process for the right side.

Problem fixed. Noise completely gone. Very happy

Hope this helps.

[Kauz]

I am surprised that lubrication fixed the problem. I always thought that the noise was metal banging against metal inside the strut mount. I know as a matter of fact that Toyota/Lexus redesigned the shape of the rubber bushing inside the mount. Nevertheless, it's good that you were able to fix it without having to replace the mounts. Good information.

[Rick59]

My 97 ES300 had the famous fornt end rattling noise problem. The noise was very obvious when going over bumps or uneven roads when the car was cold. The noise was less obvious when the car warmed up. I read many posts in LOC and concluded the culprit to be the strut mount and/or bump stop.

I fixed the problem last night and want to share my fix here. I was able to fix it the simple way - by spraying silicone lubricant spray from inside the hood. Now the noise is gone. Here is the steps:

1. Jack up the car until the left front tire is off ground

2. Remove the left shock absober cap from inside the hood by removing the 3 nuts (if the suspension is the non-adjustable type it may not have this cap and this step probably can be skipped. My car is with adjustable suspension and has this cap)

3. With the top of the strut mount now exposed, spay silicone lubricant inside the strut mount along the edge from the hole at the top of the strut mount. That is, spay around the boundary between the inside wall of the strut mount and the round-shapped rubber piece at the centre of the strut mount. Spray slowly and give time for the liquid lubricant to flow down the strut mount. Repeat the spay many times. I did it about 10 times for each strut.

4. Lower the car and repeat the process for the right side.

Problem fixed. Noise completely gone. Very happy

Hope this helps.

Glad to hear you had success. I have a 97 ES300 with 100K on it. Car runs great except for that annoying rattle in cold weather. Here in Pittsburgh I get the pleasure of hearing it full force for 5 months of the year. I have replaced the strut linkages and stabilizer bushings with no relief at all. Strut and/or strut mounts are next. I'll try your oil solution to see if I get any relief. If so, then I'll replace the struts. This car is too good to let it go for this annoyance.

Thanks!

[SKperformance]

Spraying a lube always helps reduce the noise as the bushing ages and contracts when cold. Using a thicker rust proofing style pray works much better.

Even better is to get the whole car rust proofed as it will lube every bushing and seal in the car and make it like new for a few months. Also reduces wind noise in pillar less door cars.

[Eric Cheung]

Spraying a lube always helps reduce the noise as the bushing ages and contracts when cold. Using a thicker rust proofing style pray works much better.

Even better is to get the whole car rust proofed as it will lube every bushing and seal in the car and make it like new for a few months. Also reduces wind noise in pillar less door cars.

I thought about spraying white lithium lubricant, but was not sure whether its thickening after spraying will block lubricant from flowing down the strut mount and/or bump stop. So I tried the silicone spray first. If the noise comes back soon, I think I'll try the white lithium lubricant.

[godfather18]

Dude where do you get such lubricants, I have had that noise on my front right strut mount and want to get rid of the noise too. SK where do you ge that rust proof stuff from and how is it applied, does it make a big difference. My 1996 ES300 has the original suspension and it has 95k on the clock would it make a difference for me?

[Eric Cheung]

Dude where do you get such lubricants, I have had that noise on my front right strut mount and want to get rid of the noise too. SK where do you ge that rust proof stuff from and how is it applied, does it make a big difference. My 1996 ES300 has the original suspension and it has 95k on the clock would it make a difference for me?

I got the silicone lubricant from a local hardware store. It should be a common lubricant, I guess.

[SKperformance]

Any auto parts store will have a light lube like silicone spray.

Rust proofing is done professionally and added to the whole car using spray guns and wands.

[gld98682]

Eric - glad to hear of your success.

Here's my post from 4/05...

After new OE struts, strut mounts, and spring insulators (all installed by an independent Lexus specialist), the classic "bad strut mount" noise remained - although not as loud.

I turned to the dealer to solve the problem. They lubed the "bump stops" , and the noise is completely gone!!!

The fix was no charge since the dealer had originally diagnosed the noise as bad strut mounts. Kudo's to Lexus of Portland

Gary

[Eric Cheung]

Eric - glad to hear of your success.

Here's my post from 4/05...

After new OE struts, strut mounts, and spring insulators (all installed by an independent Lexus specialist), the classic "bad strut mount" noise remained - although not as loud.

I turned to the dealer to solve the problem. They lubed the "bump stops" , and the noise is completely gone!!!

The fix was no charge since the dealer had originally diagnosed the noise as bad strut mounts. Kudo's to Lexus of Portland

Gary

Gary, I read your post before I came to the conclusion that the strut mount/bump stop need to be lubed. I searched the forum to find related posts and to find similarities between my problem and the problems of others and their solutions, including yours. Without these posts I would never have tried to lube the strut mount/bump stop.

[spink]

Thanks for the fix info. I just replaced all four struts and mounts on my 97 ES300 (155,000 miles) to get rid of the front end rattle and a rear end squeak. The replacement strategy took care of the front end rattle, but the rear end squeak is still there when ever I drive over a bump large enough to compress the struts. I will try your suggestion of massive amounts of lubricant at whatever access point I can find. The mechanic I use has given up.

[mookie]

Thank you so much for the info. I'll bore you with the details. I have a '98 ES300 with 235,000 highway miles on it. It started as a rattle in the front end, especially on rough roads and more pronounced in colder weather. I mentioned it to my mechanic (whom I trust), and after road testing the car suggested new struts ($500).

I declined, but over time the rattle turned into a loud clunking noise. I had the car back to the mechanic to balance the tires, described the noise, and even showed him a printout of this thread. He told me he didn't think the fix would work, because the struts were hitting "metal on metal", and no amount of lubrication would work. I again declined the new struts, and decided to fix it myself.

I followed the instructions in the first post, and took it a step further by cleaning and lubricating the bump stops on the strut (inside the boot). Problem completely solved for about $4 and 30 minutes of my time.

[es4me]

Thank you so much for the info. I'll bore you with the details. I have a '98 ES300 with 235,000 highway miles on it. It started as a rattle in the front end, especially on rough roads and more pronounced in colder weather. I mentioned it to my mechanic (whom I trust), and after road testing the car suggested new struts ($500).

I declined, but over time the rattle turned into a loud clunking noise. I had the car back to the mechanic to balance the tires, described the noise, and even showed him a printout of this thread. He told me he didn't think the fix would work, because the struts were hitting "metal on metal", and no amount of lubrication would work. I again declined the new struts, and decided to fix it myself.

I followed the instructions in the first post, and took it a step further by cleaning and lubricating the bump stops on the strut (inside the boot). Problem completely solved for about $4 and 30 minutes of my time.

Hey Everyone,

I am having the same problem with my 94 ES, with the somewhat crunching sound when I drive over a speed bump or a bumpy road. And this seems to be more pronounced when it's cold. I too was told that my struts needed to be replaced. But after reading this thread, I believe that this could solve my problem. My question is how do I sray the rear struts as this is where the majority of my noises are coming from?

[zockslexus]

how can you tell if you have adjustable struts in a 96? i have a black cap but there is a bolt in the middle of it. the three nuts are connect through the fender of the car....do you have a pic of what each would look like?

[zockslexus]

bump

[eman_be_lexin]

I am having the same problem with my front end too but my struts were replaced 2 years ago. Only about 100,000 miles. I am haiving the control arms, stabilizer bar, and bushings replaced next week. Does anyone have a diagram or picture of where the "bump stop" is so I can try this same procedure? I will try that to see if it works before replacing the control arms.

[TomWoodLexus]

You don't have to remove anything to lube the bump stops, or more commonly called "jounce bumbers"

It is on the strut rod under the dust boot. Just jack the front end up for room to see the strut, pull the boot up and slide the yellow bumper down. That is it, the yellow thing.

[slingblade9]

Any pictures of what to do on the web anywhere, or can one of you guys post a pic?

I have the same problems with my 97 es300. Got the struts replaced and still the noise is there.

I bought some silicone lubricant, but am not totally sure where to spray it.

[lexushead]

bump

Adjustable struts???

Lubricant to fix a rattle......??That ES needs front strut mounts..I have replaced hundreds of them..That rattle will return...Gauranteed

Best wishes,

lexushead

ASE Master/L1

Toyota/Lexus Factory Certified Master

[slingblade9]

bump

Adjustable struts???

Lubricant to fix a rattle......??That ES needs front strut mounts..I have replaced hundreds of them..That rattle will return...Gauranteed

Best wishes,

lexushead

ASE Master/L1

Toyota/Lexus Factory Certified Master

So I guess the new mounts that can be bought will not wear prematurely like the ones that came on it from the factory?

I got new front struts, didn't think about mounts too until I saw this.

[lexushead]

bump

Adjustable struts???

Lubricant to fix a rattle......??That ES needs front strut mounts..I have replaced hundreds of them..That rattle will return...Gauranteed

Best wishes,

lexushead

ASE Master/L1

Toyota/Lexus Factory Certified Master

So I guess the new mounts that can be bought will not wear prematurely like the ones that came on it from the factory?

I got new front struts, didn't think about mounts too until I saw this.

They are a countermeasure part....The rattle will go away...ES300 and Camry same problem..

[slingblade9]

Update: New strut mounts...all rattling and creaking from the front is gone.

[yeskay]

Update: New strut mounts...all rattling and creaking from the front is gone.

do you have to redo the alignment after the strut mount replacement. do you have to replace the strut bearing too? does it have to be done at a lexus dealership.

thanks.

[slingblade9]

Update: New strut mounts...all rattling and creaking from the front is gone.

do you have to redo the alignment after the strut mount replacement. do you have to replace the strut bearing too? does it have to be done at a lexus dealership.

thanks.

I ordered the mounts from Napa auto parts. It came with the mount and the rubber bearing thing.

I had my local tire shop/auto place replace the mounts and do an alignment for 135 bucks.

Mounts/bearing cost me 150 for both.

[northbridge]

Eric - glad to hear of your success.

Here's my post from 4/05...

After new OE struts, strut mounts, and spring insulators (all installed by an independent Lexus specialist), the classic "bad strut mount" noise remained - although not as loud.

I turned to the dealer to solve the problem. They lubed the "bump stops" , and the noise is completely gone!!!

The fix was no charge since the dealer had originally diagnosed the noise as bad strut mounts. Kudo's to Lexus of Portland

Gary

Gary, I read your post before I came to the conclusion that the strut mount/bump stop need to be lubed. I searched the forum to find related posts and to find similarities between my problem and the problems of others and their solutions, including yours. Without these posts I would never have tried to lube the strut mount/bump stop.

Gary, After a number of mechanics and my own attempts to duplicate the clunking sound I went to the dealer who simply said that the mounts where dry and uppon lubrication solved the problem.

If I want to do this my self:

What grease do I use.

What are bump stops.

How much grease.

Do I need to unassemble anything.