Montalvo

My '92 LS400 has a little over 50K miles and I'm curious to know at what point other LS400 owners replaced their shocks.

What brand are the stock shocks? What did you replace them with? Was there any change in the ride? I'm not sure if I need some new ones just yet, but thought I'd get some answers ahead of time. Thanks.

Seahawk

I replaced mine at 105k, although I am not sure how long they may have needed it.. I had just purchased the car. Tremendous difference in ride. Used KYB. Someone else may know better if shocks are "time wear" or "use wear" components.

Horta

On my 91 LS400 I replaced them at 114k and wow what a difference. Brand new smooth ride.

On my 98 LS400 the dealer just replaced my rear shock and mounts under their "Good Will Warrenty" and again wow brand new car smooth ride. My car has 65k miles. I will be replacing my fronts this summer.

Now I am a nut because I never let my cars go over 70k miles before I replace the shocks. The only reason the 91 went so far is cause I bought it with over 70k miles.

Shock and tires are what determins how your car rides. Spend the money there if smooth ride is important.

Montalvo

Thanks. I think I'm going to go ahead and replace them now.

What brand are the stock shocks?

Seahawk...is the ride with the KYB shocks just as smooth and quiet as the stock ride?

Horta...what shocks did you use? I assume the ride was just as smooth and quiet, if not, more than the stock ride?

I definately DON'T want shocks that are going to stiffen the ride.

Thanks.

Seahawk

I believe I read KYB is stamped on OEM shock... but manufactured to diff. specs. I have never owned one of these vehicles new, but if I had to guess I'd say it's as close as you can get. It gets confusing when you start looking OEM vs. KYB vs. Bilstein etc.. cost vs value etc. I can tell you I've been very happy with the KYB's.. but know no different except vs. what it was before I replaced them.

On another note.. can you tell me the size of tire you have on your wheels.. I thought I saw you put IS300 wheels on your LS .

Montalvo

Thanks. Perhaps the dealer can provide me with some detailed info. Coming from muscle and sports cars/trucks, I've been spoiled by the ride quality of this car and I don't care to change it.

Yes, I installed the IS300 wheels with 225/50/17 Michellin Pilots.

Seahawk

I keep looking looking for used wheel / tire package deal, most have 215/45 and I fear they may kill the ride. I don't mind a small difference, but worry just the same. Thanks.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Much depends on the road condition the car will see. From what I have done seen on my cars, OEM struts/shocks give out around 50-70K miles. I suspect that when I bought the car at 59K they were already on the way out. I drove it till 75K before changing them. When removed, I pushed it down and it didn't extend back.

While many aftermarket say "lifetime", figure on getting warranty replacement after about 80K miles. Not always but that has what I have done with Tokico and the KYB GR2's in the past. It is such a PITA and depending on cost, I just buy new ones. Esecially if it is on your daily driver.

As always...YMMV

xirforever

hmmmm i guess my shocks are out then..... 135,000 miles and still stock shocks.... Won't be like that for long, just waiting for new shocks to put onto my lowering springs. Man if you guys say they go out around 70 k then hell, im at almost double, should be a huge improvement when new shocks go on!

ychachad

220k miles on the original shocks and counting...... Yes, I'd like to replace them for something newer, but, really, why? The originals ride sicely, and don't really bother me. I am sure the newer ones will be better.

Kansas

The shocks on my 90 LS were just fine (confirmed by my mechanic) when I sold the car after nearly 14 years of ownership and 183,000 miles. The new owner has driven the car to over 200,000 miles and the shocks are still OK.

damon

I will promise you that if you pull the shocks off a LS with 200,000 miles on it you will find that they will not rebound. This does not mean that the ride quality absolutely sucks, but it does mean that it is not as safe, comfortable ,or dare I say "sporty", as an LS can be.

Do you have to change?? No, soldier on if it works for you.

My Family has a 90, 94 & 96 LS. The two early models have had the struts replaced. 1 with Tokico & 1 with OEM. If you want ultra-smooth Lexus ride do OEM.

Stiffening the ride in my opinion & experiences will quickly show other shortcomings in your suspension , mainly in things like upper & lower control arms & trust me, unless you park in an oxygen free environment temp controlled environment, the rubber pieces on our older high mileage 400's have age issues.

damon

RA40

iTrader: (6)

You said it well Damon

I keep telling pops the struts in his Saturn are dead and have been telling him since 70K, he's got 140K now and the tech's at Saturn tell him it is still so he doesn't replace them.

The bounce test is pointless as most symptoms show up at highway speeds.

superglide

Excellent advice, I never actually considered that.

ZOTS

308k on my 98 all original shocks. Replacing upper and lower ball joints for the second time. Purchased with 132k miles. My 2005 LS430 has 150k miles all original shocks.