Urgent: Need to replace struts, looking for suggestions.
#1
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Urgent: Need to replace struts, looking for suggestions.
Hi all,
This is the first time I'm posting here about my 2003 ES300. It has been making a terrible clunking noise whenever I go over the smallest bumps lately, and I genuinely do not feel safe sometimes as the car seems to "slip" when making turns as well. The struts 110% need to be replaced. My mechanic said he'd be able to replace all 4 struts for $1100 (including labor) - is this a good price?
I also was told by a colleague at work that I should ask my mechanic to use "KYB GR 2" struts. Do these work well with the ES300? If I"m going to be paying this much money, I'd prefer to get great struts at a reasonable price.
My Lexus currently has $214K miles on it and has never given me an issue. It's awesome and I don't want to get rid of it just because of strut issues.
Thanks in advance!
This is the first time I'm posting here about my 2003 ES300. It has been making a terrible clunking noise whenever I go over the smallest bumps lately, and I genuinely do not feel safe sometimes as the car seems to "slip" when making turns as well. The struts 110% need to be replaced. My mechanic said he'd be able to replace all 4 struts for $1100 (including labor) - is this a good price?
I also was told by a colleague at work that I should ask my mechanic to use "KYB GR 2" struts. Do these work well with the ES300? If I"m going to be paying this much money, I'd prefer to get great struts at a reasonable price.
My Lexus currently has $214K miles on it and has never given me an issue. It's awesome and I don't want to get rid of it just because of strut issues.
Thanks in advance!
#2
If you read about what others have tried, the KYBs are more stiff than the stock struts. I would recommend sticking to the stock struts which you can order off of Sewell Lexus or you can find them on eBay. Since you are used to such weak struts now, you will find the new struts to be stiffer even if they are stock, and if you switch to KYBs, it will be even more stiff. Also you will want to replace your strut mounts and sway bar bushings and end links. I'd imagine this would cost you at least around $1000-1500 in parts depending on where you get them, plus labor. Granted this will be more expensive than what your mechanic quoted but I'm willing to bet he will be using quick struts which do not ride very well. For the extra money, you will get your original stock ride back. Completely up to you, but after replacing the struts on my 01, it was a whole new car, so worth it to me.
#4
Pole Position
Do a search, there are a LOT of discussion on Lexus specific, kyb aftermarket, monroe, just struts vs. quick struts. Many have problems w/Monroe quick strut mounts, so read up on it and make sure you order (or they do) what you are comfortable with.
#5
My 2 cents, before you go off and do a major struts job, read thru the below thread. I had similar creaking/clunking noise on speed bumps and all the mechanics told me to change the struts and mounts. I just tried changing the bushings mentioned in the below thread and the sound is gone. I have a 98 es300 and so I would be surprised to hear a 2003 struts already gone to the point of making clunking noise.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ngs-fixed.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ngs-fixed.html
#7
Pole Position
That link about trailing arm bushings that 80es300 posted is, however, educational and worth noting. I do not mean to dismiss the value of his post.
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#10
pauloil,
What struts did you use? Kyb or oem? What all did you change when you did the struts - struts, mounts, springs, anything else? May I ask how much it cost you.
I might have to do mine soon and so want to get an idea.
Thanks
What struts did you use? Kyb or oem? What all did you change when you did the struts - struts, mounts, springs, anything else? May I ask how much it cost you.
I might have to do mine soon and so want to get an idea.
Thanks
#11
Pole Position
I did our 02 this summer. Check my posts, I listed pn's and cost. I did only struts, boots, sway bushings (a waste, don't bother), and rear springs. KYB excel/GR-2 (same thing) and moog springs (rear only). Re-used mounts, insulators, etc. About $460-475 total I think. Super happy w/results. A few thousand miles later now, it has settled in nicely. Did not need to have front end aligned because ride height was identical.
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