Hello -
My first post here - I own a 93 Lexus ES300 - just bought it last week. I am experiencing a similar problem - a clunk noise I feel in the steering wheel and brakes. Happens when I have been doing the following:
1. In a parking lot - when coming to a stop to pull out on to the street. (slow speed)
2. Down my driveway (on an incline going down - again, at slow speeds, both forward and reverse gears.
3. When hitting the brake as I am making a left turn...slightly faster speed, but slowing down for the turn.
In all instances, I am applying the brakes when this happens.
I thought maybe the front brake pads were bad, even though I experienced none of these problems at highway speed, and the brakes feel fine otherwise. This past Friday, my brother and I planned on replacing the pads and flushing the brake fluid - and upon inspection of the fluid - all was well. So - we ended up bleeding all 4 brake lines instead. Got some air or trash out of the right front wheel (which is where the sensation and sound of the clunk appear to be coming from) and left rear wheel as well. All pads were in good condition, and did not need any replacement. Rotors all appear to be in good shape as well.
We also checked the master brake cylinder - it seems to be in good working order, and I do not appear to be losing any brake fluid.
My brother noticed that the anti-sway bushings were beginning to go - the one he pointed out to me was on the right front wheel, although he said they were good for now, but needed to be done soon.
So - after doing all this work, I am still having this problem with this "clunk". Not sure if this is related to this problem, but my ABS light comes on intermittently.
All this time, I have been thinking it was a problem with the brakes, but after reading this thread, I am now wondering if it is something along the lines of the bushings, or the shock/strut. Car seems to ride fine otherwise, and I am not getting any other indication that the suspension is causing the problem.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Michael
