Noise On The Steering

[Justin is200]

I have a 1999 is 200 sport. Over the past week or so a noise is heard from the drivers side wheel area when turning the steering wheel. It has got more noticeable now. Seems to come from the suspension or struts. Is there anyone with any advice?

The noise is a clicking sound. Loud enough to hear when driving. Happens when turning in both directions.

Hope it all makes sense

[IHgs300]

Welcome to the club Justin.

Regarding your problem, If it's on full lock more than likely cv joint, If not will be suspension top mount or bottom ball joint.

[Justin is200]

It's only half a turn or less. Is it expensive repair?

[IHgs300]

Top mount is under £14

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FSM5269-FIRST-LINE-STRUT-MOUNTING-KIT-TOP-MOUNT-LEXUS-IS200-01-IS220D-05-/151080146703?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item232d14170f

ball joint £25

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS200-IS300-ALTEZZA-1998-05-LOWER-SUSPENSION-ARM-BALL-JOINT-RH-SIDE-/300849226663?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ALexus&hash=item460c02e3a7

I would nip it in to a local garage before buying any parts, to ensure correct diagnosis.

Hope this helps, Ian.

[Justin is200]

Thanks for that.

Will be safe to drive??

[LexIS200Sport]

Regarding your problem, If it's on full lock more than likely cv joint, If not will be suspension top mount or bottom ball joint.

Not on an IS200; it doesn't have CV joints on the front wheels ;)

Also, in my experience, the top mount is really only an issue on cars with MacPherson struts as the front suspension.

However, I am with Ian with regards to the lower ball joint. These are known to wear relatively quickly on the IS200, so is worth getting looked at by your mechanic asap :)

In a MacPherson strut-type suspension, the spring and its perch rotates when you steer the front wheels (the spring and damper forms the kingpin-axis). At the top of the strut tower, the top mount houses a bearing that allows for the spring to rotate about this axis. However, this bearing can seize over time and cause the spring to "clunk" when you steer the wheels.

The IS200 has a double wishbone front suspension, and so the spring and damper isn't part of the kingpin-axis. As a result they do not rotate with the steering and thus the top mount is very unlikely to cause a clunk or click when you steer the wheels.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

I had my both ball joints replaced last week. It's cheap and quick to do.

Worst case scenario, If a ball joint lets go this will happen. Not worth the risk of not doing it in my opinion.

[IHgs300]

Apologies...Homer moment there...of course the is200 doesn't have cv joints on front being rwd.