amcdonal86

This sounds exactly like my noise. Did you ever resolve this?

This car is getting to be quite frustrating!

I'm just wondering what else could be causing my car to make those noises. I haven't been able to take a look at it for the last few days because of the weather. I also haven't driven it for a few days because hearing that sound makes me cringe!

Hmmm.... you could not budge your end links, but I can move mine fairly easily (although it feels kind of "viscous-y" like a ball joint feels). I wonder if that means if the end links are bad.

You may also consider Yokohama Avid Touring S tires. I have them on my LS400 and they are incredibly quiet, and won't break the bank!

I wonder if there is a way you can check the end links without actually jacking the car up.

I don't think you can drive a car for 3 years without experiencing a large amount of depreciation cost. Most people don't realize that depreciation is most often the most expensive part of owning a car (especially for newer models)!

Are you sure? My bumper is cracked exactly the same way, and it doesn't appear to be repainted.

Your popping sounds like it might be due to upper strut mounts being worn. Is it worse in the cold? Actually, oddly enough, my popping sound seems to be worse when it's warm.

It also seems to only happen if I am pushing the brake and/or haven't heard the pop since I last pushed the brake. Perhaps it is just the brake pads being kind of loose and not being seated properly. I will have to check it out. It's very unusual because it happens the most when I am making tight parking maneuvers (lots of brake and turns).

Hi, I seem to have developed a new popping noise in the suspenion/steering system. It occurs fairly intermittently, although at times, I can reproduce it by jabbing the brake pedal lightly, going over fast/uneven bumps (where a significant amount of weight is transferred to the front suspension), and or steering in a tight radius circle. There is no real correlation with speed. I'm wondering if it is the sway bar end links going bad, because I am noticing that my steering wheel feels slightly loose (there is a clicking sound from the steering column if I go over some serious bumps, but I'm not sure if this is due to normal play in the tilt steering mechanism or not). However, the steering action itself still feels "tight", although tight is a relative term (the LS ain't exactly the definition of steering response...) Does anyone have any idea whether these are normal symptoms of bad sway bar end links? The car drives great, but this little problem is driving me nuts! Thanks! (By the way, recently replaced: upper strut mounts, strut rods, upper sway bar bushings, power steering fluid change)

No, upper strut mounts are not visible without dis-assembly. It was a pain in the butt to track down my creaking sound, but it didn't seem to happen more on turns than on the straights.

My God! Some people like it hot! I mean cold!

Yes, if it's creaking only when very cold outside, it's probably worn bushings. I'd probably say worn sway bar bushings. The upper strut mounts could also be the culprit, although that causes more of a creak when going over dips. Best of luck. Let us know what you find!

No, this has nothing to do with fluids. It's definitely metal to metal (somehow). I have looked around and find other saying 'ball joint', bushings, etc. Someone else mentioned control arms, so I will have to have this all checked out. I had the front struts replaced in 2000 and I haven't put THAT many miles on the car since then -- maybe 45K. How long are they supposed to last? I would think a good long while, as I have seen other posts saying that all that front end suspension stuff usually needs replacing at 200K. I am nowhere near 200K (only at 93K) and the front struts have already been replaced once. I think it's more likely the ball joints (or CV?). Not sure of those are two different animals. If you don't want to check it out, that's fine with me. I will say that my "popping" could be felt throughout the entire car and through the steering wheel, and it turned out to be the fluid that needed changing.

If you take it in to get an alignment, they will tell you right away if you have suspension damage.

I had an intermittent "popping" sound from the steering when making turns. Changing the power steering fluid stopped it from making this noise.

Are you in park and with your foot OFF the brake?

I don't think you will be able to avoid the dealer on this one...

I'm a big believer in electronic stability control, and as such I would recommend skipping any LS before 1997 (I believe that's when it was added). I think the GS got it at the same model year, but it might not have been standard then. I think it was added in the '98 model year. Stability control is great, and I'd take it over a model that didn't have it, but I wouldn't cut cars off the list just because they don't have it.

I don't know much about the GS, but early 90s models have a problem with the trunk wiring harness that can cause all kinds of unusual electrical problems. It's a relatively simple and cheap fix, though. From what I've read on this forum, the biggest problem first generation LS400s have is related to the power steering system. The power steering pump leaks onto the alternator and destroys it. The power steering system itself also seems to develop problems for a lot of people. Also, LS400s require changing the suspension bushings in order to maintain that buttery smooth ride.

Agreed. My '97 had a loud popping sound on right turns, which thankfully was cured by changing the fluid.

A $1200 "loss" over 2 years and 25k miles of driving is not a loss at all! It's simply the cost of transportation.

You and Romane should start a club.... And not Lexus Owners Club! :P :D

Are you impling that the beautiful LS400 is not a formula 1 car?? :D YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!