LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Are the back struts hard to change?

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Old 02-07-04, 03:02 PM
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blkstealthpaid4
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Default Are the back struts hard to change?

I changed my rear trires to 255/45/19 and the rear drivers side tire is scraping the wheel well.I realised I have to change the strut and springs on that side.How hard is it to change both?I saw one bolt that holds the rear struts but what about the bolts and nuts in the trunk.How can I get to the bolts in the trunk since everything is covered up by the carpet.?
Old 02-07-04, 03:27 PM
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Lexkost
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You have to take out the back seat, that's where the top of strut is mounted, I don't see how this will help in the tire scraping!
Old 02-07-04, 07:02 PM
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Is this stock height or lowered? What and how much clearance is on the passenger side? Also what is the fender well height for each side?

Cars vary and I've seen variances of up to 1/2" per fender well. Changing the springs may help as the tolerances and compression may be better but it is no guarantee that it will eliminate the rubbing. One other thought, is the tire pressure equal?
Old 02-08-04, 07:26 PM
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I have about 1 inch clearance and that side is the only side that touches the rear fender when I go over slight bumps.I think the springs just gave up.I don't have the electric suspension.After taking the seats out do I have to take out the V shaped control arm to get to the screw on the bottom of the shocks/struts?
No one can even sit on that side because it will constantly scrapes.
Old 02-08-04, 07:56 PM
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Lexkost
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Originally posted by blkstealthpaid4
I have about 1 inch clearance and that side is the only side that touches the rear fender when I go over slight bumps.I think the springs just gave up.I don't have the electric suspension.After taking the seats out do I have to take out the V shaped control arm to get to the screw on the bottom of the shocks/struts?
No one can even sit on that side because it will constantly scrapes.
DO NOT REMOVE A- ARM..... Remove the seat and under the reardeck cover there are three nuts on the strut cover remove them and under the cover are three more remove them,then with car on jack with remove bottom strut bolt lower strut and spring and lift up throught the A-arm and out, have somebody push down on rear rotor and you will have more room to lift it out!

Last edited by Lexkost; 02-08-04 at 07:57 PM.
Old 02-08-04, 08:08 PM
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Lexkost
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You can thank Earl for this seat removal:

http://www.pearsonimaging.com/LS/rear_seat.html
Old 02-09-04, 07:09 AM
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Default That is a very good site

Thank you!
I will try it this week
Old 02-11-04, 04:15 PM
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Default The same problem after changing

I finally changed the strut(drivers side rear) and that was soo much headache.It took me about 4hrs just for that side.I still have the scrape or the lip of the tire touches the fender(outer).I even put back my 18 inch rims which has 255/45/18 inch rubber.The drivers side rear is the only side that scrapes the fender when I go through bumps or even when I make a wide turn to my left(weight transfers to that side).I am also running about a 1/4 inch spacers.The tire and the tip of the fenders are completely parrallel or the tire sticks out slightly.Could this be the spacers and do I need to take off the spacers or get an alignment?.Please shed your input.
I also forgot the black strip that is screwed in the fender is not there.This is kind of a mud guard for the tip of the rear fender.The other side has the strip.
Will auto zone have something to hold my suspension up?
Old 02-11-04, 04:58 PM
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Lexkost
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First the 255/45-18 is the wrong size tire you should be running 245/40-18 .Why are you using a 1/4 spacer?
Old 02-11-04, 06:25 PM
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Originally posted by Lexkost
First the 255/45-18 is the wrong size tire you should be running 245/40-18 .Why are you using a 1/4 spacer?
I think he's using the spacer on there because it would rub on the control arm without it...at least that's what happened when I tried to put 255/45/18s on mine. If that's the case, then he'll need to downsize the tires to 245/40/18...might be able to use the spacer with the 245/40/18 setup to make the wheels look more flush with the car.
Old 02-11-04, 06:59 PM
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Originally posted by BR1AN
I think he's using the spacer on there because it would rub on the control arm without it...at least that's what happened when I tried to put 255/45/18s on mine. If that's the case, then he'll need to downsize the tires to 245/40/18...might be able to use the spacer with the 245/40/18 setup to make the wheels look more flush with the car.
Like I said that tire is 27inches tall , and that's to big and to wide.............and a 27inch tire will make that car Slow!!

Last edited by Lexkost; 02-11-04 at 07:01 PM.
Old 02-11-04, 07:03 PM
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Before I put on this 255/45/18 I was running 255/35/18 and I was still getting the rub on that same side but not as much as am I getting now.It is soo funny for the car to dip just on one side and scrape the tire.I put the spacers to make the wheel stick out a bit more for looks and no I had no problems with the control arm.I will have to take out the spacers.
Old 02-13-04, 02:24 PM
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Default I fixed it.

Sorry guys but I never told you I had changed that strut with one from a junk yard.My friend worked at the yard and he brough me struts from a 91.
What a mistake!
Another mechanic kept telling me the struts on that side was bad until I went and bought some KYBs for 87 bucks each.I had someone compress it and put the springs on and changed it myself.It rarely hits the rear fender but I can live with it.This is probably because I only changed one side.I now have one more gremlin.Power steering fluid leaking and the control arm on that same side.The car fish tails when it hits bumps.
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