43FTW

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

I have a 99 RX300 and just rolled over 130,000 miles. She rattles and jumps around over rough roads, and pretty clearly needs some work. The left front is especially noisy, I believe a new control arm was recommended at Midas.

My usual mechanic offered to replace all of the suspension parts (except the springs) for $2,000. Does that sound like too much? I believe his hourly rate is $75 (maybe $90). I can buy the parts myself and let him install, I have done this in the past for other projects.

I live in apartment and have no tools, so a DIY is not feasible.

I plan on keeping this car a while, as upgrading to a newer RX isn't in the cards for a couple more years (also may want a GX). I am the second owner, the car has plenty of maintenance records and I keep the oil changed.

Also, any thoughts on Lucas products for the transmission? No hard shifts, but just a very slight hesitation sometimes when approaching the usual shift point.

carguy07

Control arms, ball joints, struts, tie rod ends, sway bar links...probably $550 in parts, alignment $50..so $600 plus 4-6 hours labor should cover it...thinking $1,200 would knock out pretty much everything up there.

JAB

You can use KYB shocks but make sure your strut mounts are OE, nothing else. Replace sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, struts, mounts, and check your ball joints. $2,000 is not out of line, provided it includes all parts; if labor only, far too much.

43FTW

The $2,000 was including all OEM parts. How much labor would be involved to put on the TEIN Coilovers? It looks like they are $1,200 + whatever else would need to be replaced. How much better would coilovers be over a stock suspension?

carguy07

Oh, wow, for OEM parts that's a good price, Coil overs would do nothing of value.