Lex GS350 uspension clunking backing out of driveway

[JeffKeryk]

Our '13 Lexus GS350 F Sport has 77K; I bought it under CPO a little over 2 years ago. This is the RWD model, not the AWD.
When backing out of the fairly steep driveway (backing upwards toward the road) and then cranking the wheel all the way to the left, there is a strong clunking sound that appears to come from the left front suspension area. Backing off the steering wheel quiets the clunking.
This problem is not new, but seems to be getting somewhat worse.
The car drives and handles perfectly otherwise. This is my best excuse for not looking into this problem earlier.
Flame suit on...

I am guessing it may be a worn sway bar link; I will pull the wheel tomorrow and see if I can find anything.
Any guidance?

 

[Oillover]

My educated guess would be control arm bushings.

My RWD IS350 with 60k miles had the same issue. It was also also noticeable when braking at high speed (vibrations).

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I am guessing ball joint. Check your uppers and lowers. Had the exact same noise in my Liberty and it was the upper/lower ball joints on the passenger side.

 

[FordMan59]

I've had clunking sounds from both tie rod ends and ball joints. To check the tie rods jack the front end up, grab each wheel at 3 and 9 positions wiggling side to side and see if there's any play in the tie rod. To check the ball joints grab at 12 and 6 positions rocking the wheel back a forth checking for play in the ball joint or jack the car up and use a prybar between the ground and wheel while checking for play. Usually for me if the clunking is while turning it's a bad tie rod end. Ball joint usually make noise when driving over speedbumps or rough roads.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Ball Joints could be it or tie rods.

 

[ctechbob]

Single clunk or multiple repeating clunks?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Single clunk or multiple repeating clunks?

Repeating clunks. Only at full steering wheel lock.

 

[CharBaby]

Check the stabilizer bar links.

 

[ABN_CBT_ENGR]

good idea to rack it and check all the components

 

[JeffKeryk]

Check the stabilizer bar links.

I believe this is common these cars. Factory links are sealed; some aftermarket have zerk fittings.
Do you have a recommendation?

 

[JeffKeryk]

good idea to rack it and check all the components

This is the smart recommendation; I am just too cheap!
But there is a good shop near me; I may end up there.

I need to do a brake inspection as well. F-Sport brakes squeal loudly when cold.

 

[Snagglefoot]

One more poor boy check. Jack the tire up off the ground and set a jack stand. Place a crowbar under the tire. Have someone pry the tire up. Look at the ball joint area to spot any sudden angular movement.

 

[Number_35]

I believe this is common these cars. Factory links are sealed; some aftermarket have zerk fittings.
Do you have a recommendation?

I've not had good luck with aftermarket stabilizer bar end links. Those with grease fittings have been the worst.

 

[ABN_CBT_ENGR]

This is the smart recommendation; I am just too cheap!
But there is a good shop near me; I may end up there.

We call it "frugal" here but given that there could be several different items creating or contributing to the noise, you need to look at them all.

Pretty much everything listed already could legitimately be "it".

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

My 04 Camry has been doing that "clunking" since new. New sway bar bushings didn't help.

 

[LeakySeals]

My Malibu winter beater does it. It's the brake pads shifting in the caliper brackets when I step on the brakes going backwards. It's just what it does there's nothing wrong

 

[mattd]

Check the sway bar links/bushings. Later model Toyota products VERY rarely have front end issues tie rods/controls arms/balljoints) at that mileage.

 

[edyvw]

This is the smart recommendation; I am just too cheap!
But there is a good shop near me; I may end up there.

I need to do a brake inspection as well. F-Sport brakes squeal loudly when cold.

Unless it is something that started to happen, F-Sport have aggressive compound not regular POS compound Toyota uses.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Unless it is something that started to happen, F-Sport have aggressive compound not regular POS compound Toyota uses.

Squeaky front brakes are well known in the GS350 F Sport community.

 

[edyvw]

Squeaky front brakes are well known in the GS350 F Sport community.

Yep, aggressive compound. Does Textar makes pads for F-Sport? You could try that.