jmscott

I have read posts for a few years about the air suspension systems in the 430 UL eventually needing repairs. I have 118,000 carefully driven miles on my '04 and BLAM 3 leaking shocks at once. I was prepared for a replacement of one (maybe two) sometime, but three at once? Then the dealer hit me with an estimate of $9k to get me back to roadworthy condition. They feel that since the struts are "consumable" I shouldn't think twice about a repair bill that most likely exceeds 60% of the book value of the vehicle.

Thoughts??

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

That's insanely high, even for a dealership. My 05 LS had 96,000 miles and all four bags were leaking.

You have a few options that would all be cheaper than the dealer. Your first would be to go with the OEM steel spring and shock setup or you can try aftermarket coilovers as well. This is the cheapest and best option in my opinion.

The second option would be to go with aftermarket air which would still be cheaper than the $9,000 estimate you got even after installation. This setup would be the coolest to have but you would need to find a trustworthy shop to do the install.

Your third option would be to buy new air shocks through Sewell Lexus at a discounted price and try to find an independent mechanic to do the work. It will be just as expensive as the aftermarket air would and it would be prone to leaking again.

BradTank

I have no idea where they're getting $9,000, they at least owe you a detailed invoice for that amount of work.

If you went to a dealership, my guess is the air struts are $1,500 around piece installed, so there's $4,500 for 3, and caster/camber bushings maybe $500 for that job? So I can see $5,000, but I have no idea where the other $4,000 went. That's hardly a rounding error.

If I were you, I'd buy 4 new air struts at Sewell Lexus for around a $900 a piece and have a different shop do the work. probably out the door for just over $4,000 that way or convert to a conventional steel coil/strut set up.

But definitely get a 2nd opinion because if a shop will lie about a car needing $9,000 in repairs, there's no telling what else they're making up.

L8RSk8R

Buy 4 new shocks (Sewell $900) install them your self, if you can. Hardest part of install is, putting the back seat back together.
I purchased 4 used shock online for $700, installed one of them myself, SOLD one of them for $650, and I have 1 rear & 1 front, should I need to replace mine in the future.

jmscott

Is there step-by-step anywhere online? I am an engineer by education, but don't have auto sized tools (read -- big-*** wrenches).

I would consider trying the install myself if I could be sure that I could do a good job without sacrificing safety in the process.

L8RSk8R

I can change out air struts, but useless at using the search feature here :/ Still searching for threads.

Ciaran

jmscott

Sorry, a bit of clarification on my part.

The actual quote was for $7200 for the 3 corners and the two front caster bushings. My own thoughts were probably about $2000 per corner installed + $1200 for the rubber bushings. The $9k total was me adding in the projected cost of the 4th corner.

Seems silly to do three knowing the 4th will probably fail shortly.

Anyone know if the fronts are more difficult than the rears? I looked at the schematic for the struts and they differ front to back.

Lynzoid

all very easy. bushing is about 80usd and job is about two hours for that.
to replace front two struts - hour-two max
rear - same, but there's said thing about putting rear seats back.
i'd say 4000 with all 4 new struts and new bushing.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Order the parts yourself and pay a good local mechanic to do the work. Lexus of South Atlanta Parts has better pricing then Sewell. Get all your part numbers and order and then use Yelp.com to search local top rated mechanics. Very easy to get a good list. Then start calling around & compare labor cost.

$1026 each for new oem above. 4823

The other option is something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151123660495

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40


Maybe somebody else can comment on who makes the best aftermarket kit.

Other options:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEGAN-EZ-Street-COILOVER-DAMPER-SUSPENSION-LS430-UCF30-01-06-15way-Adjustable-/271217845263?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALS430&hash=item3f25d7e40f&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-06-Lexus-LS430-Tanabe-coil-springs-210-/370837123356?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALS430&hash=item56579d711c&vxp=mtr
OR - look around part# 4823 spring. Two choices there with the sport.

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...=0&modelYear=0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-GR-2-EXCEL-G-STRUTS-SHOCKS-01-06-LEXUS-LS430-FRONT-REAR-SET-/190608431235?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALS430&hash=item2c6125d883&vxp=mtr
I would probably search around and get the springs from a salvage yard if possible. Springs don't really go bad unless damaged in an accident or very old and rusted.

Need 4 or these if converting to springs:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...ounts&_sacat=0

RockAuto has better pricing for traditional spring and shock setup. Don't forget the mounts and bellow:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...30%2B4.3L%2BV8

HVLSTON

Would converting from stock bags to coilovers throw any CEL's?

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

No. You just kill power to the oem air compressor.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

wow , that's a serious repair bill.

If I was you , seriously, I would buy an aftermarket set of coilovers.

You could always sell the coilovers later(they hold value very well) and then swap your air back in at a later date, perhaps after you sourced a set for a good price.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Coilovers are cheaper but don't last like a traditional spring and shock. Kyb's are easily 150,000+ mile shock. On coilovers the the ride is worse and they last about 1/2 the mileage. You do end up paying more in the long run. I don't know if Eibach or Bilstien makes shocks for the 430 but Kyb is good stuff.

Bon

I found that the hardest part was clocking the rear shock assembly. The top and bottom mounting holes don't align but rather they're about 30 degrees from one another. I wasn't fun to do by myself. Don't think too much about getting big tools. An air impact wrench with plenty of air is your friend. Your best friend! Indeed, the rear seat in a UL is not fun. I bought all the parts from Sewell and it was less than one corner if I had let the dealer do it. I've had the car for 12 years and I can't tell the difference between air and metal springs. That said, It certainly shouldn't be your first major auto repair project and compressing springs is daunting and dangerous.

Boomer01

After finding 2 of my air shocks blown, I purchased (from Sewell) 4 steel springs and shocks and had a body shop install them for me. In total it cost me around $1600.