Silencing Squeaky Toyota Land Cruiser

Some 2018-2020 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles equipped with Active Height Control may exhibit a squeak noise from the rear over uneven surfaces when the suspension is set to the low height position. The squeaking noise is caused by contact between the right rear lower control arm and the lower control arm support bracket.

1. Confirm that the condition exists. Set the suspension height to neutral or high and visually inspect the right rear lower control arm and lower control arm support bracket. Look for contact/witness/wear marks between the two components (that was not caused by collision damage).

2. If such witness marks are found, disconnect the lower control arm from the bracket.

3. Using masking tape, mark the support bracket to use as a guide for removing excess material.

4. Using a cut-off wheel, remove the excess material from the bracket. DO NOT remove more than five mm. Removing more than five mm could negatively impact the strength of the bracket.

5. Remove the masking tape used as the cut line guide. Using a bonded abrasive disc, remove burrs and smooth the surface of the cut.

6. Buff the witness marks at the control arm.

7. According to the coating manufacturer’s recommendations, prepare the newly exposed metal on both the control arm and bracket for coating.

8. Using a two-part epoxy primer, coat the exposed metal.

9. Cover the primer with a black topcoat.

10. Reconnect the control arm to the bracket.

11. Set the suspension height to the low setting and test drive over uneven surfaces to verify that the noise has been eliminated. Visually inspect the control arm and bracket while in the low setting to verify that the two components are no longer making contact.