Hey Scotty, I have a 2006 Lexus IS250 (automatic) with over 100,000 miles. I have recently been having an issue with a weird suspension noise from the front of my car. The noise only happens when I brake at low speeds and turn the steering wheel. I am very confused as to the source of the noise.
The noise does not happen when I am not braking. Also, the noise does not happen when I am going in reverse.
I have installed new brakes pads and rotors in the front, and have also had my struts and swaybar end-links replaced about 8 months ago.
what kind of noise? Any chance you could record and post it here?
Sounds like maybe a bad power steering pump or pulley. Have someone sit in the car, apply the brake, and turn the wheel left and right while put your ear next to the pump.
Since you aren't complaining about any driveability issues
(loose steering, brakes not stopping well, car pulling in one direction when you brake)
and it seems to be limited only to a noise complaint,
I'd suspect that the "splash guard/dust shield" behind one of the front brake rotors is slightly bent and making sporadic contact with the rotor.
It's a common symptom when noise is happening while turning.
I know what you're thinking. The gap distance between the rotor and the splash guard shouldn't change just because the steering wheel is being turned.
I used to think that too until I started finding "rubbed areas" on slightly bent splash guards when trying to track down sporadic "turning noises".
Easy test: Jack the car, take off the tire.
Look at the splash guards for any small areas that look like they've been "rubbed against".
The area that's rubbing won't have any rust/paint on it.
You can bend that splash guard back a little if you find a "contact point"
