fortitude

Yes, I need to make up my mind soon. I enjoy the Lexus ride. The OEM are double the price, I need all 4 so additional $300. If I divide it over the life of the strut, and I know the ride quality, it could be worth it....

speedkar9

Have you tried a Toyota dealer? Usually they can be cheaper. If you cross reference the part number, I believe the strut is the same as the V6 Camry.

fortitude

Yes, local Toyota dealer wants $145 each for the fronts, $179 each for the rears. I also found concordlexus on ebay had all 4 as a set, out the door to me for $640

Rock auto four KYB's $308 out the door

speedkar9

Is there a particular reason for replacing all four at once? If is it just the rear of the car sagging and bouncing, start replacing the rears first and save the fronts for when it wears down a bit more.

I presume you plan on keeping your ES for a very long time and really would appreciate that smooth Lexus ride, then it would make sense to get OEM struts over the KYB.

fortitude

The back is starting to sag and is bouncy.

The left front is starting to weep fluid

I ordered the KYB's today. Will install next weekend. It is a gamble on the ride stiffness / we shall see..... I will post my comments after they wear in a little
I went OEM rubbers and mounts

fortitude

I installed the KYB's. And they are stiff...... I hope they wear in. Currently feels like a sport suspension from a camaro i used to own.... I may be regretting I did not follow your advice.....

LeX2K

The KYB's will mellow some but you will never get to the point of having the Lexus like ride.

nikovdh

Here is my prep with felt padding. Putting new struts on on Saturday.
Any reason to not use felt for the front strut mounts too?

(My car is a 1999 ES300)

PatGalvin

Hello All
Has anyone used the aftermarket strut mounts (i.e., KYB strut mounts, part SM5175) when replacing the rear struts? I have a 2000 ES300 and will replace struts and springs to tighten up the rear suspension. For the front, it was recommended that I use OEM strut mounts, which are considerably more expensive than the aftermarket. But for the rear, should I go Toyota parts or aftermarket for the mounts?

KYB mounts are about $$40 each. The online OEM part price is $142 each. So, there's a huge difference.

Thanks for any tips on this.

Pat

LeX2K

Generally the rear upper mounts are in good condition and can be reused. Any noises from the rear struts?

PatGalvin

The rear suspension noise is primarily related to when I go over speed bumps or hit the dip at the bottom of my driveway. It is more of a dull squishy sound. Not a real thump or rattle. But, I'd like for it to be quiet.

I would like to lose this squishy sound and would like to tighten up the ride. I just bought this garaged "grandma" car with 70,000 miles on it and am sorting through a few of the issues. It is a California car, so no rust or under body corrosion. I could just reuse the top strut mount... Just thought it would be good to replace while I've got the struts out of the car and disassembled. I do want to install the KYBs and Moog springs and see if I can stiffen up the rear suspension a bit.

Anything else in the rear suspension that I should be checking for wear (for a car with this mileage)? Thanks

Pat

LeX2K

KYB's will firm up the suspension a fair bit. The only way to guarantee the mounts are not going to give you issues is go OEM I've read mixed results from Moog, Monroe and KYB mounts.

PatGalvin

OK. Thanks very much for the advice.

Pat

IdKid

Nice Write-up!! Thanks for the info- I replaced all 4 and the ride is so much nicer!!

OLDWAYS

The stabilizer link bolts are the only bolts I've ever had a problem with. If Lexus would have spent 30 cents more for a better bolt, life would be perfect.