imagine

First, great board all. The information that is available is awesome.

I come in need of help as I just recently purchased a used '95 ES300 and a quick test has showed that my rear struts are in need of help. I am able to do the work myself, but wanted to ask some help from the vets on the board to be sure I am not missing anything.

Struts: All of the posts indicate that KYB GR-2 struts are the right ones to get so I found these on Amazon and wanted to confirm that this is the right combo - Parts number 334133 and 334134
Link:
Hardware:
Mounting Plates: It also appears to be recommended to change the mounting plates and to get those from Toyota. I am not sure of what the right model number is - so if someone could help with these.
Boots/Insulator: It looks like there are varying opinions on insulators, but for a 18yr old car I would imagine these are gone and need to be replaced. Any recommendation on where to buy these from?

Most importantly, anything missing from the list above and any advice during the installation from those who have done this before.

Thanks-

PFB

Read the following post carefully. It will answer all your questions

Welcome to the Lexs Club

Phil

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...xus-glide.html

imagine

I read the mentioned liink, but it refers to a '97 and other documentation I have seen indicates that similar model years is '97-'01. Now if a '95 can use the same parts great, but I haven't seen that indicated anywhere.

I even looked at this thread which also indicates that '95 is different then '97
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...aul-guide.html

PFB

It may not be the same year, but it will still give you an idea what to expect with after market struts.

Phil

Avory

Yep, I started that thread and my car went back in the shop today to have the KYBs swapped out for Toyota OE. They showed me the boxed up parts that just came in yesterday. Different strokes for different folks, but the KYB's were WAY beyond the "sport" setting on my AVS...not the same car at all, in my opinion. Can't vouch for the '95, but I guess it depends what you're aiming for.

imagine

Did you find a good place for the Toyota OE struts?

ES300doc

Looks like Carson- Lex is a forum site sponsor and offers below MSRP prices. Also known as Carson Toyota

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/mai...s-parts-3.html

As far as the struts go. I would either use OEM Lexus struts or Bilstein and I would use OEM Lexus mounts only. Found out the hard way when I tried to use Moog strut mounts on the front of a 96 ES300 and they caused the steering to lock up after turns and kept the steering from returning to center. The moog Mounts caused binding with the factory strut mount bearings. So replace the strut mounts when replacing the struts and use OEM mounts. I would also just use the oem insulators and boots as well , but not as important as using the OEM mounts.

Rear struts are easy once you get the back seat and speaker tray out, Just 3 bolts at the top strut mount and they drop out the bottom. Might spray your bolts with wd40 or something similar the day before to make things go smoother.