Background: 02 IS300 new front struts (re-used coil springs) and new control arm
How can I explain the noise? You can hear it if you're driving over uneven roads. Perfect example would be a parking lot. If I pull into a parking lot or parking spot you can hear the noise as the car is wobbling up and down a bit. I can also hear it when I begin to break, right before the car comes to a complete stop. Once I've driven the car for about 20 mins or so, it stops making the noise (the noise when I brake). However, the noise persist if I drive slowly on un-even pavement.
The noise first surface 8 months ago. At the time I had to replace the control arms but then I kept hearing a noise. I went back to the shop and was told to eliminate all noises, I would need to replace the struts; so I replaced them a few months after that. Even after replacing the struts, I kept hearing it but it finally cease a couple of weeks later. I figure maybe the struts needed to be "broken in." Sometime last week I was driving on uneven pavement (they were shredding the road to re-pave it) and I didn't slow enough upon getting back on the "good" pavement. The next day the stupid noise was back.
So, I just came back from Midas (not many shops around where I live and they never inspected my car before) and they couldn't reproduce the noise. Sure enough I met the mechanic in the bay area and stood on the door jam and rocked the car up and down. NOTHING. WTF ... He was pretty cool about it and said it could be the bushing being dry. How the f did I hear the stupid noise the past week and even the moment I pulled into the shop. All of a sudden it disappeared. However, I still kinda hear it but not as bad as before. If it is indeed the bushing, where is it and how can I apply some grease on it? I'm thinking he probably threw some grease on it but I forgot to confirm with him.
How can I explain the noise? You can hear it if you're driving over uneven roads. Perfect example would be a parking lot. If I pull into a parking lot or parking spot you can hear the noise as the car is wobbling up and down a bit. I can also hear it when I begin to break, right before the car comes to a complete stop. Once I've driven the car for about 20 mins or so, it stops making the noise (the noise when I brake). However, the noise persist if I drive slowly on un-even pavement.
The noise first surface 8 months ago. At the time I had to replace the control arms but then I kept hearing a noise. I went back to the shop and was told to eliminate all noises, I would need to replace the struts; so I replaced them a few months after that. Even after replacing the struts, I kept hearing it but it finally cease a couple of weeks later. I figure maybe the struts needed to be "broken in." Sometime last week I was driving on uneven pavement (they were shredding the road to re-pave it) and I didn't slow enough upon getting back on the "good" pavement. The next day the stupid noise was back.
So, I just came back from Midas (not many shops around where I live and they never inspected my car before) and they couldn't reproduce the noise. Sure enough I met the mechanic in the bay area and stood on the door jam and rocked the car up and down. NOTHING. WTF ... He was pretty cool about it and said it could be the bushing being dry. How the f did I hear the stupid noise the past week and even the moment I pulled into the shop. All of a sudden it disappeared. However, I still kinda hear it but not as bad as before. If it is indeed the bushing, where is it and how can I apply some grease on it? I'm thinking he probably threw some grease on it but I forgot to confirm with him.
