messerschmidtt

problem solved: replaced the top strut mounts..there was a TSB on this component..apparently had a 100% failure record for 99/2000 es300, 98-2000 toyota camry, 99-2000 RS 300...all had same part numbers-4860-33021 and 48609-33121..left and right front support sub-assembly (top shockie mounts)..Toyota redesigned the components (same part number)..I just replaced the old ones with the new re-designed units...problem solved..no more creking/rattling from the front end..bewdy

"You might as well go ahead and replace the upper strut mounts. It was an extremely common problem - virtually 100% failure rate - on both the Toyota Camry and ES300 of that era. Lexus and Toyota dealers here in the U.S. replaced many thousands of upper strut mounts under warranty. The ones on our Camry were replaced a few years ago at 80,000 after years of rattling -- our Camry is driven little and was out of warranty by the time the rattle became apparent. Your 2000 Aussie spec ES300 uses the same poorly designed upper strut mounts ("SUPPORT SUB-ASSY, FRONT SUSPENSION")- same part numbers - as our 1998 Camry that had the same front suspension rattle. You can check the part numbers at: http://www.toyodiy.c...TPGKQ_4803.html I think the replacments are supposed to be "better" but I wouldn't know how to tell. I checked the invoice for the repair on our Camry and see that the part numbers for the replacement upper strut mounts were 48609-33121 and 48603-33021. It seems odd that the rattle on our Camry also seemed worse on the right side. I thought it might have been from hitting road defects that seem more common near the edge of the road but your having the same situation on your RHD ES seems to blow that theory. Maybe there is less sound insulation on the right side of the firewall" (this is a quote from a lexus club of america member-1990LS400)

this is an ongoing story..which I'm determined to get to the bottom of, I can tell you. As the australian lexus owners club is limited by..I suppose population restraints..just not that many es300 owners I suppose, I am also an active member of the north american lexus owners club..and have already had a lot of feedback from members there with the same or similar problem. I am collecting a lot of information..I havent solved the problem yet mind you..I think I'm going to have to strip down the front suspension assembly and tackle this systematically..one component at a time..starting with the top and bottom strut/shockie mounts..a daunting task for me...as I'm not a mechanic..but I have the factory service/repair manual and some tools (I DO work on my motorcycles but dont like working on cars too much..especially front wheel drive assembly..totally foreign to me..

hi, I recently bought an es300, 2000 model, my first lexus, so I know very little about them. The car has done 172000kms and has been serviced all its life at the local lexus dealer. The log book is full and up to date. The car, in almost every respect, is perfect. However, at low speeds, over slight bumps and repairs in the road, the front end rattles, incessantly..the rattle seems to come from the wheel arch area..both sides, but definitely louder from the right side..its rather a, perhaps, mechanical type of rattle..most annoying..has anybody got any ideas, could it be the shock/struts? I thought perhaps someone may have had a similar problem with their es300 and resolved it..I contacted the lexus dealer, and they are a lot of help..they have been doing the services..but I bet they never actually drove the car, so how would they know about the rattle..there is no record of this problem in the log, which is strange..as it is extremely noticable and annoying,

I have factory service/repair manuals (pdf files) for es300 97-2001 models..you can have all on a disc for 10 bucks plus postage if you want

yes, I have a 2000 es300 with 173000kms on the clock..I have pretty well the same problem and have yet to resolve it..and have a few people look at it so far..havent pinpointed the problem yet..and I am reluctant to start pulling the whole front end suspension to pieces in order to resolve it..I'm just about at that stage..I am so over this persistent rattling every time I ride over a little bump in the road..I would be happy to hear any constructive feedback that may help me with it bfore I go crazy..

ok, here is a backdoor link to the chilton library, which takes you to some interesting information like factory service bulletins etc. Dont bother bookmarking the link or adding it to your favorites folder in your browser, as it will then just default to the chilton library homepage, which will ask you to subscribe to get in. Put it somewhere else, then copy and paste the link to your address bar when you want to access it..got that? Its very useful.

I would suggest that the rattling noise is probably only those damned plastic wheel arch well covers/liners rattling away, that's all

yes hi, I've been a mercedes driver all my life ..I'm not a new car buyer..never have been , never will be, but that's ok by me. I decided to buy an e300 2000 model because I like the shape of the body and heard that lexus was pretty rock solid...unlike the late 90's, early 2000's, mercs. SO far, I am pretty impressed with the lexus..very smooth and comfortable