Cosanostra

Hi All,

Long time reader, first time post.

The struts on my '94 ES, manufacture date September 93, are in need of replacement. It careens through corners and bottoms out easily when extra people are riding in the car.

I've been looking around online at various struts and all the makers have two options for my car. Example: the KYB GR-2 comes as either
"Front fitment. Cartridge insert for models w/ serviceable struts."
or as
"For models with Sealed Struts. Must reuse OE spring perch."

How can I determine which I have on my car to know what to order. I talked to the Lexus dealership (service rep and parts counter) but neither were helpful and didn't know if the stock part was servicable or sealed.

Any information on this is appreciated.

Thanks,
Cosa

Cosanostra

A few pics of the strut.

Cosanostra

A few pics of the strut.

Cosanostra

lower strut pic

Luc

Those pictures you posted don't show whether you have a sealed or serviceable. You have to lift the dust boot up and see the cap/clip on the strut housing. If it's like a hexagonal/octagonal plate, then you have a serviceable strut, so you can just get inserts. Otherwise, you have a non-serviceable, and will need to replace the entire strut. I believe only '92-'93 models had serviceable struts, not '94-up models, though yours was build in 9/93.

Luc

Cosanostra

Thanks for your reply. Hmm, lift up the boot. That's inside the spring right?
Can I just reach in there and lift it up or do I need to do something with the spring first?
Looks like a tight fit. I guess removing the wheel first might help. I'm wondering if I get the replacement struts, if they will bolt in place, even if the current struts are the servicable kind.

Thanks again,
Cosa

meZoom!

just get brand new ones. even if its serviceable and you get everything repacked/redone, suspension is complicated. i replaced mine completely, i had cracks in the outer housing.

Luc

You can just use the OEM scissor jack to lift one end up. This way, the wheel/tire will hang down while the suspension goes up. Then, you'll have room to push the dust boot up. You won't need to do anything to the spring to see it. The insert goes inside the strut housing, which provides the seating for the spring and strut mount. Then the top strut mount gets tightened down on the strut bolt that is on the insert, while the spring is compressed. So you shouldn't have any problems.

Luc