Video Of Ls400 Suspension While Driving

Parrot of Doom · August 2, 2013

The car has developed a really quite nasty knock front the front nearside, while braking lightly at speed, perfectly in sync with the slightly warped front brake discs. Now I've lived with the warped brake discs for a while because I've been investing in my business and also spending money on the house, but now I'm in a position to sort all this suspension trouble out. Looking underneath, everything seems to be tight, and I don't currently have access to a ramp, so I thought I'd stick my GoPro camera in there to see if anything could be seen.

Here's the view looking backward. The camera is mounted to the bottom of the plastic wheel arch liner. If you have a keen eye (or if you simply look at the YouTube annotations) you can see where I'm braking, and where the knocking is happening (look at the dust shield and listen for a slight camera rattle). You might just be generally interested to see how everything moves around in there anyway. From this angle, I can't see what's causing the knock.

http://youtu.be/edse7-qs8ts

Here's the view looking forward. I mounted the camera to what I believe is called the strut rod - it has a large bushing at the front, and is mounted to the bottom balljoint by two big bolts. The camera is pointing toward the car's grille. You don't need annotations to see when things are knocking (although if you still can't, listen for the bips of the horn, they come just after it's knocking). Oh and the lumpy sounding engine, at one point, is a motorbike; my engine runs very smoothly thanks!

http://youtu.be/w4r8oigbAbs

Now I'm only a layman but if you watch that front bushing, it's moving around a hell of a lot more than it should. And the fact that the camera bounces all over the show when the car is knocking seems to suggest to me that the strut rod is the thing that's vibrating most.

Would people agree that the likely suspect is the front strut rod? I'll get a second opinion next week (pry bar + ramp) and if this is the problem, I'll order two new ones from Lexus, next week (can't be bothered messing around with bushings). I also have to replace the front discs and pads, I'm not paying Lexus prices for a simple lump of metal so does anyone have experience with a decent alternative? While the car's in there, I'll also get the roll bar links changed.

Bluesman · August 2, 2013

How ingenious well done, Mike

The-Acre · August 2, 2013

From the video it looks like it's almost metal to metal at times on that bush. That aside, what an amazing bit of footage, clever man!

Parrot of Doom · August 2, 2013

It's always looked as though the bush is designed to move around, I just don't see it needing to move around as much as it is. It's obviously never been replaced so even if it doesn't fix the problem (I'm confident it will), replacing both won't do any harm.

I may stick the camera on the rear suspension, just for the fun of it. It's interesting to see how everything moves around.

Maduggo · August 2, 2013

Can't help with the first issue you have, bet it feels horrid through the wheel when braking.

But you could try these discs & pads, i replaced my old Ls400 with some, i got mine from another parts dealer who don't stock them no more, they have real cheapo rubbish now.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/brake-disc

http://www.eurocarparts.com/brake-pad

Easy to fit as well if you take your time.

steve2006 · August 2, 2013

That's scary on the 1st video when the tyre is coming towards you, glad it's not made in 3D you would have people dodging out of the way :)

Good idea with the camera and excellent quality.

Parrot of Doom · August 3, 2013

Can't help with the first issue you have, bet it feels horrid through the wheel when braking.

But you could try these discs & pads, i replaced my old Ls400 with some, i got mine from another parts dealer who don't stock them no more, they have real cheapo rubbish now.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/brake-disc

http://www.eurocarparts.com/brake-pad

Easy to fit as well if you take your time.

Odd, I thought ECP didn't do Japanese cars? They look fine to me, I may take a punt next week. After all, a brake disc is just a lump of metal IMO.

ambermarine · August 3, 2013

That is an amazing piece of footage and well executed .Looking at the second video it is apparant the busshes on both sides of the lower suspension arm are badly worn as is the roll bar bushing.

Its a shame you don't live a bit nearer to me as we could stick the camera on my mark 4 which as only done 23k and compare the movement.

Maduggo · August 5, 2013

Can't help with the first issue you have, bet it feels horrid through the wheel when braking.

But you could try these discs & pads, i replaced my old Ls400 with some, i got mine from another parts dealer who don't stock them no more, they have real cheapo rubbish now.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/brake-disc

http://www.eurocarparts.com/brake-pad

Easy to fit as well if you take your time.

Odd, I thought ECP didn't do Japanese cars? They look fine to me, I may take a punt next week. After all, a brake disc is just a lump of metal IMO.

I put the reg from your avatar into the search and it came up with the available parts they can provide.

I'm sneaky like that :arrrggg-matey:

Parrot of Doom · August 5, 2013

That is an amazing piece of footage and well executed .Looking at the second video it is apparant the busshes on both sides of the lower suspension arm are badly worn as is the roll bar bushing.

Its a shame you don't live a bit nearer to me as we could stick the camera on my mark 4 which as only done 23k and compare the movement.

The roll bar bushings should be fine as I replaced those last year, the links are original though (bugger to get off) but I have some replacements in the boot, the mechanic who'll change those struts will do them at the same time.

Parrot of Doom · August 8, 2013

I've ordered two strut bars, bolts and cams. I did have a panic later on when I saw the bushings have separate part numbers but I'll find out when I collect them if the arms are complete. If they're not, it won't cost Lexus anything to put them back on the parts lorry.

Cost was about £150 + VAT per bar, bolts and cams were another tenner or so each, so £400+ in total. I could have saved on the bolts but we all know how threads corrode. I could have ordered just the bushings but for the extra hassle of pressing them in I think I'd rather just have the complete unit, that way I know the bushings are installed perfectly.

Parrot of Doom · August 15, 2013

Got the parts, I thought I'd post some pics. They are extremely substantial. The car is booked in for late next week, I'll get the old bits and take pics for a comparison.

The-Acre · August 15, 2013

Quite literally a handful!

Parrot of Doom · August 23, 2013

Well the bolts in the old strut bars were so corroded into place that the garage only managed to do one side today. Here's the one (driver's side) that came out. It had to be removed with a blow torch.

So if this is a job you fancy having done, make sure you order fresh bolts and nuts (as fortunately, I did).

The-Acre · August 23, 2013

Good advice for any of us facing the same problem. Hopefully the ride will feel completely different. Keep us posted, I'm finding this really interesting.

Phil