Possible rear shock rattle, failing?

fabchef

New member
Hi gang, as I posted before, i'm still getting a loud clunk from the rear of my 2009 lexus rx350. I was gonna change out the sway bar links, thinking it was that. I picked up some mevotechs. I was surprised to see that the threaded part of the bar, doesn't move at all! Usually this moves and pivots, but not on these. Strange. I was trying so hard to remove them but they are on so tight.
I was looking at them though, and noticed how tight and twisted they seem on there. There doesn't seem to be any play.
My next theory was that the rear shock(maybe rubber mount or bearing) are on the way out? Can this be the cause for twisted links? How can i tell?
If it might be this, what's easier, changing the broken parts or putting quick struts? I saw Gabriel makes quick struts. Any good?
Thanks
Fab
 
Based on what I am reading, I would suggest that you take it to a specialist to get it checked.
You've already spent enough of your time and money to justify a trip to a garage and whatever the mechanic is going to charge you to get to the root cause.
Not to neg down on your DIY skills, but sometimes alternatives are worth while.
 
Android. Yes i had brought it to the garage. They said it may be the lower knuckle bushings or possibly the strut mount. They weren't sure and said to keep on driving it till it gets worst, this way they can pinpoint it better.
 
here is a pic of the sway bar as it is now. the garage had changed the previos mevotech as the the lover threading just snapped off completly. to me is seems like it's twisted (which it might not supposed to be) to the limit.
image1.jpeg
 
I remember rear shock/ top plate issues being a thing on Camrys.

Awhile back I had an F30 with this insane front left rattle. Not a clunk but a specific rattle over large/ low speed bumps. I go so fedup that we disassembled the front left strut. The issue was at the bottom of compression the strut rattled but in the centre of stroke it was fine.

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here is a pic of the sway bar as it is now. the garage had changed the previos mevotech as the the lover threading just snapped off completly. to me is seems like it's twisted (which it might not supposed to be) to the limit.
View attachment 44169
Disconnect or remove the bar and go for a drive. On Lexus OEM bushes and quality links should be used. Mevotech stuff is pretty meh but it will work.

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I can't get the bolts off. I could use an angle grinder and cut everything off? The oem ones lasted 10 years! Are toyotas that finiky?
Fab
 
Penetrating oil. You can try a breaker bar to break it loose. Sure you can cut it off but you should be able to break it loose with enough force and penetrating oil

 
Rice, i did both. Super tight. I'm afraid there is heavy tension in the bar?

With both rear wheels off the ground there should be no tension. With a long breaker bar or a long pipe over a ratchet it should come loose. Otherwise it’s heat or cutting it off like you said
 
Rice, so it's better with both wheels off the floor? Or both tires on the ground? I sprayed pb blaster too. It just feels like they are so tight on the bar...
Fab
 
Rice, so it's better with both wheels off the floor? Or both tires on the ground? I sprayed pb blaster too. It just feels like they are so tight on the bar...
Fab

If any of the rear wheels are on the ground, there’s gonna be tension on the sway bar, because it’s doing what it’s supposed to do, aka limiting sway.

To remove link kits both wheels connected to said sway bar need to be off the ground so there’s no tension

Usually when a strut fails, they leak, so if there’s no sign of leakage then your best bet is to drive with your sway bar disconnected to see if it’s your bushings or end links
 
Rice.. thanks for the great info. The struts are Not leaking oil. Could it the the top strut bearing or rubber?
The sway bar bushings where changed about 2 weeks ago with oem ones.
Fab
 
Ok, cool. So how can i tell tje difference in sounds between the lower knuckle bushing and a worn strut mount (rubber)?
 
I can't get the bolts off. I could use an angle grinder and cut everything off? The oem ones lasted 10 years! Are toyotas that finiky?
Fab

Any strut can fail if you hit a big enough pothole. I have a 1991 ls400 with the original stock suspension, my shocks are fine but i do need to replace some bushings asap.
 
Jeeps... you have a Lexus LS400? Nice! Always loved the LS models. I find the older lexus's/ Toyota's were made tougher.
 
update. i had the rear end of car on ramps. i slid underneath to have a look. visually, everything seems good. I grabbed the sway bad at both ends and pushed up to raise the car and dropped it, there didn't seem to be and play or clunking. i even shook the car from side to side, no play in bars and no play or sound from lower knuckle bushings. anything else i can check? thanks
fab
 
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