Any auto mechanics here?

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J

jacko

Well-known member
#1
Sep 2, 2024
1,111
609
113
#1
So here’s the situation on my older 2005 Lexus. Car has 130,000 miles. The car was starting to make some Pretty loud clunking sounds, So I took it to the mechanic, and he told me that the engine mounts were broken and needed to replaced and also the front struts. I took that information to a second mechanic who told me that he thought it was the lower control arms. He didn’t actually drive the car like the first mechanic or have it up on the lift so I decided to go with the diagnosis of the first mechanic. so total parts and labor was basically around $2000 , and after the repair, the clunky noise is less but still there. so I think it did help but did not solve it completely. I took to take the car back to the mechanic who did the repair job and I says I think there could be an issue with the transmission. I’m really frustrated at this point so I decided to take it to a third mechanic and puts the cars on the lift and I informed him of the history and information and he looks at all the suspension parts, lower control, arms, bushings, and he was not able to see any play in the suspension at all. in summary it’s a very tricky clunking noise to identify because it only happens when you break at very slow speeds of like under 3 mph and when you let go of the pedal and also makes that same clunky noise.


So I’ve ruled out the following motor and transmission mounts which were replaced struts and strut mounts, and which were replaced.
Lower control arms bushings, which were inspected and ball joints, which were inspected no play anywhere in the suspension noticeable with a pry bar.

Any guesses? Other than the inconvenience of a little tongue noise the car drives really fine but it’s more of a mental hurdle to get over because I spent so much money on it..
 
HealthAndHappiness

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
#2
Jul 7, 2022
10,556
4,486
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#2
jacko said:
So here’s the situation on my older 2005 Lexus. Car has 130,000 miles. The car was starting to make some Pretty loud clunking sounds, So I took it to the mechanic, and he told me that the engine mounts were broken and needed to replaced and also the front struts. I took that information to a second mechanic who told me that he thought it was the lower control arms. He didn’t actually drive the car like the first mechanic or have it up on the lift so I decided to go with the diagnosis of the first mechanic. so total parts and labor was basically around $2000 , and after the repair, the clunky noise is less but still there. so I think it did help but did not solve it completely. I took to take the car back to the mechanic who did the repair job and I says I think there could be an issue with the transmission. I’m really frustrated at this point so I decided to take it to a third mechanic and puts the cars on the lift and I informed him of the history and information and he looks at all the suspension parts, lower control, arms, bushings, and he was not able to see any play in the suspension at all. in summary it’s a very tricky clunking noise to identify because it only happens when you break at very slow speeds of like under 3 mph and when you let go of the pedal and also makes that same clunky noise.


So I’ve ruled out the following motor and transmission mounts which were replaced struts and strut mounts, and which were replaced.
Lower control arms bushings, which were inspected and ball joints, which were inspected no play anywhere in the suspension noticeable with a pry bar.

Any guesses? Other than the inconvenience of a little tongue noise the car drives really fine but it’s more of a mental hurdle to get over because I spent so much money on it..
Click to expand...
I just prayed for you. Hopefully that mechanic who was payed $2,000 will be persuaded to do the job RIGHT.

That's too much money to continue having the same problem. Motor mounts require the motor to be lifted and the rubber spacers inserted.
I can understand those and struts needing replacement at that mileage, but he should have diagnosed and cured the disease.

I'm no mechanic, but places I have gone for information to repair my own cars are.

A. Auto forums. Just search Lexus Forums, register and do searches. If that doesn't provide answers, ask your Qs in a new post like here.
B. Chilton's and Haynes Manuals.
These are automobile repair books by two different sources.
Just make sure you buy the one designated with your make, model and year. Everyone should buy one, the other or both. That way, they might be able to service their own if it's within their abilities. They will also save a LOT of money because they go to the mechanic knowing what they are talking about. The mechanics are less likely to overcharge. They already charge as much as the dumb Drs do per hour. Both professions charge quite a lot. I expect good honest service, but found that to be rare for mechanics and non-existent for MDs in my town. I was just talking to a friend this week about this topic. Women are known for getting ripped off big time.
Now, nobody knows how to work on cars so we all get gipped. I hate to see that.

It's good that you got a second and third opinion. I've heard good things about Lexus longevity and reliability. At that mileage and age, you definitely need at least one of those manuals and membership to a good Lexus forum or two. You can buy a manual at your local auto parts store tomorrow. Last I checked, they were around twenty bucks. That might save you over a thousand.

Best to solving that problem.
https://youtube.com/shorts/f1JMPVKAeQI?feature=shared
 
C

Cranberry

Active member
#4
Dec 7, 2024
122
40
28
#4
jacko said:
So here’s the situation on my older 2005 Lexus. Car has 130,000 miles. The car was starting to make some Pretty loud clunking sounds, So I took it to the mechanic, and he told me that the engine mounts were broken and needed to replaced and also the front struts. I took that information to a second mechanic who told me that he thought it was the lower control arms. He didn’t actually drive the car like the first mechanic or have it up on the lift so I decided to go with the diagnosis of the first mechanic. so total parts and labor was basically around $2000 , and after the repair, the clunky noise is less but still there. so I think it did help but did not solve it completely. I took to take the car back to the mechanic who did the repair job and I says I think there could be an issue with the transmission. I’m really frustrated at this point so I decided to take it to a third mechanic and puts the cars on the lift and I informed him of the history and information and he looks at all the suspension parts, lower control, arms, bushings, and he was not able to see any play in the suspension at all. in summary it’s a very tricky clunking noise to identify because it only happens when you break at very slow speeds of like under 3 mph and when you let go of the pedal and also makes that same clunky noise.


So I’ve ruled out the following motor and transmission mounts which were replaced struts and strut mounts, and which were replaced.
Lower control arms bushings, which were inspected and ball joints, which were inspected no play anywhere in the suspension noticeable with a pry bar.

Any guesses? Other than the inconvenience of a little tongue noise the car drives really fine but it’s more of a mental hurdle to get over because I spent so much money on it..
Click to expand...
Have you had an oil change or checked the oil?
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

Senior Member
#5
Jul 2, 2011
21,462
6,720
113
#5
jacko said:
So here’s the situation on my older 2005 Lexus. Car has 130,000 miles. The car was starting to make some Pretty loud clunking sounds, So I took it to the mechanic, and he told me that the engine mounts were broken and needed to replaced and also the front struts. I took that information to a second mechanic who told me that he thought it was the lower control arms. He didn’t actually drive the car like the first mechanic or have it up on the lift so I decided to go with the diagnosis of the first mechanic. so total parts and labor was basically around $2000 , and after the repair, the clunky noise is less but still there. so I think it did help but did not solve it completely. I took to take the car back to the mechanic who did the repair job and I says I think there could be an issue with the transmission. I’m really frustrated at this point so I decided to take it to a third mechanic and puts the cars on the lift and I informed him of the history and information and he looks at all the suspension parts, lower control, arms, bushings, and he was not able to see any play in the suspension at all. in summary it’s a very tricky clunking noise to identify because it only happens when you break at very slow speeds of like under 3 mph and when you let go of the pedal and also makes that same clunky noise.


So I’ve ruled out the following motor and transmission mounts which were replaced struts and strut mounts, and which were replaced.
Lower control arms bushings, which were inspected and ball joints, which were inspected no play anywhere in the suspension noticeable with a pry bar.

Any guesses? Other than the inconvenience of a little tongue noise the car drives really fine but it’s more of a mental hurdle to get over because I spent so much money on it..
Click to expand...
I am only good with cars with a rumble seat and a crank for the starting. May your car be well again soon. God bless you.
 
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