Hood shock/strut fix (The Mother thread)
#31
The sticker on the left strut of my '91 LS is blue, whereas the right one is white/silver. Are they original? Could someone who has the original hood struts on their first gen LS check?
thanks
thanks
#32
Originally Posted by azari
The sticker on the left strut of my '91 LS is blue, whereas the right one is white/silver. Are they original? Could someone who has the original hood struts on their first gen LS check?
thanks
thanks
#34
Lead Lap
I stopped by the nearby Autozone about 2 weeks ago and was told that they did not carry Mighty Lift struts. They had a different brand but they could not determine which would fit my 00 LS.
So I bought OEM struts - $61.01 each and $7.05 total for shipping. They arrived in three days and it took less than 10 minutes to install both. I think the OEM replacement struts I installed on my previous 90 LS took a bit longer to install.
So I bought OEM struts - $61.01 each and $7.05 total for shipping. They arrived in three days and it took less than 10 minutes to install both. I think the OEM replacement struts I installed on my previous 90 LS took a bit longer to install.
Last edited by RA40; 10-24-18 at 01:46 AM. Reason: dead link removed
#36
The price for each of the struts is $70.19 at, and they pay the shipping charges.
I had the same problem with my 94 ES several months ago, and I just replaced one of the struts. This provided enough support to hold the hood up. If it starts falling again, I will replace the other one.
I had the same problem with my 94 ES several months ago, and I just replaced one of the struts. This provided enough support to hold the hood up. If it starts falling again, I will replace the other one.
Last edited by RA40; 10-23-18 at 11:09 PM. Reason: dead link removed
#37
You seem to have some questions about how the after-market strut installation works. I have not done it because I ordered the Lexus strut for my ES; however, I will explain my understanding of how it works. Others may wish to chime in.
The problem in replacing the struts is that the Lexus ball joints are permanently attached to the struts. The after-market struts do not come with ball joints. Therefore, you can buy the struts but then you don't have ball joints because they are still attached to the old struts you removed from the car. You therefore have to separate the ball joints from the old struts and reuse them.
The key step is drilling into the cavities of the struts where the ball joints fit and removing the clips which hold the ball joints. Some folks have discussed drilling them out, and others have discussed using a bench grinder to remove enough metal to get at the clips. A cutting disc on a dremel might be another way.
Once you remove the clips and separate the ball joints from the struts, you reinstall the ball joints by screwing them into the holes from which they were removed. You then push the after-market struts onto the ball joints. I assume that the Mighty Lift struts that have been discussed fit onto the ball joints tight enough to remain in place. I have also noted that some after-market struts have clips which help to hold them on the ball joints but can be removed if you wish to remove the strut from the car.
Hope this helps somewhat.
The problem in replacing the struts is that the Lexus ball joints are permanently attached to the struts. The after-market struts do not come with ball joints. Therefore, you can buy the struts but then you don't have ball joints because they are still attached to the old struts you removed from the car. You therefore have to separate the ball joints from the old struts and reuse them.
The key step is drilling into the cavities of the struts where the ball joints fit and removing the clips which hold the ball joints. Some folks have discussed drilling them out, and others have discussed using a bench grinder to remove enough metal to get at the clips. A cutting disc on a dremel might be another way.
Once you remove the clips and separate the ball joints from the struts, you reinstall the ball joints by screwing them into the holes from which they were removed. You then push the after-market struts onto the ball joints. I assume that the Mighty Lift struts that have been discussed fit onto the ball joints tight enough to remain in place. I have also noted that some after-market struts have clips which help to hold them on the ball joints but can be removed if you wish to remove the strut from the car.
Hope this helps somewhat.
#39
Lead Lap
Originally Posted by MeanLex
Strong Arm Lift Supports # 4566 according to
$21.48 each plus shipping.
States it will work on a 95-97 LS so it should work on a 98-00 LS as well.
$21.48 each plus shipping.
States it will work on a 95-97 LS so it should work on a 98-00 LS as well.
Last edited by RA40; 10-23-18 at 11:09 PM. Reason: dead link removed
#41
Caoboy
I checked eBay and found what seemed to be a good product. Once again, it says 98-2000 and i'm not confident it will fit. They are 50 shipped like you mentioned, so I was wondering if you had a 1st gen and it worked.
I checked eBay and found what seemed to be a good product. Once again, it says 98-2000 and i'm not confident it will fit. They are 50 shipped like you mentioned, so I was wondering if you had a 1st gen and it worked.
#42
1st gen Hood Struts
It is known it is slightly difficult to get cheap, hassle-free hood shock replacements for the 90-94 LS's.
About the same price as Autozone's, which currently do not exist [and don't need modification].
I will probably try these out later next week.
About the same price as Autozone's, which currently do not exist [and don't need modification].
I will probably try these out later next week.
Last edited by RA40; 10-23-18 at 11:10 PM. Reason: dead link removed
#45
Originally Posted by Caoboy
look for the 90-94 ones, they have them. and its a perfect fit. i can attest for them, its the same people.