When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
You know, aftermarket struts suck and are not worth the paint they put on them. Go to ebay and find one from a dismantler with low miles. Buy the whole complete strut and bolt it in. It will be pennies on the dollar and requires little skill to replace them.
you can find them for $60. Just look them over for leaking oil, otherwise they will be exactly like the other three on the rx
sometimes you can score them cheaper on craigslist locally.
Unfortunately they do not make what are affectionately know as "quick struts" for the RX300. So you're left to piece it out. KYB is, as much as I've understood, the OEM struts just rebranded. I've done the two RX's we have in the house now with KYB struts and Monroe mounts and all seems to be well. I did not to them myself, but purchased all the parts myself and had my mechanic install. The one RX had 110k miles when I did the struts and the other 67k miles. This was all within the last 6 months.
So now it seems like you have lots of information from knowledgable members. So let us know what you decide! Find a good Indy mechanic to do it for you, don't waste time at the dealer.
Unfortunately they do not make what are affectionately know as "quick struts" for the RX300. So you're left to piece it out. KYB is, as much as I've understood, the OEM struts just rebranded. I've done the two RX's we have in the house now with KYB struts and Monroe mounts and all seems to be well. I did not to them myself, but purchased all the parts myself and had my mechanic install. The one RX had 110k miles when I did the struts and the other 67k miles. This was all within the last 6 months.
So now it seems like you have lots of information from knowledgable members. So let us know what you decide! Find a good Indy mechanic to do it for you, don't waste time at the dealer.
Actually FCS has quick struts for the RX300 for sometime now. Rock Auto has them. Pretty decent reviews on Amazon for the quick struts for other applications but no reviews for the RX300 application.
FWIW, i have approximately 25k on my KYB-GR2 strut replacements on my OEM springs and strut tops. Still a great comfortable ride and continues to handle the abuse of the Philly/NYC area potholes.
Per my review posts, I do not recommend the KYB aftermarket strut mounts due to poor welds that will crack and separate as mine had.
Actually FCS has quick struts for the RX300 for sometime now. Rock Auto has them. Pretty decent reviews on Amazon for the quick struts for other applications but no reviews for the RX300 application.
FWIW, i have approximately 25k on my KYB-GR2 strut replacements on my OEM springs and strut tops. Still a great comfortable ride and continues to handle the abuse of the Philly/NYC area potholes.
Per my review posts, I do not recommend the KYB aftermarket strut mounts due to poor welds that will crack and separate as mine had.
Thanks for that info.
I'm essentially just trying to keep this vehicle operational at this point. I would love OEM components but if an FCS quick strut can get me through the next 2 years then I would be would be happy with that.
Just so that I'm clear on this. Lets say that I decided to get the front left and right FCS "quick strut" and put them in. What else should I take care of? FYI, I replaced the sway bar end links earlier in 2016.
I'm essentially just trying to keep this vehicle operational at this point. I would love OEM components but if an FCS quick strut can get me through the next 2 years then I would be would be happy with that.
Just so that I'm clear on this. Lets say that I decided to get the front left and right FCS "quick strut" and put them in. What else should I take care of? FYI, I replaced the sway bar end links earlier in 2016.
I suspect you are referring to your front set of struts... while the front is up in the air you can do the following maintenance items...Inspect and replace your brake components as needed while the wheels are off, oil change, transmission drain/refill and/or filter change.
if you decide to take a chance on the FCS struts, please give a review.
Following this ... looking at FCS complete assemblies for our '99 w/ 198K on it. I understand OEM, but solving the strut issues on all four corners for less than $500 is attractive. Clunk, rattle and roll. Thanks.
Chris
So I just installed the FCS replacement struts for our '99 RX300 - easy job. Minimal removal of parts required. Remove wheel, disconnect sway bar from strut, disconnect brake line mount and ABS sensor line. Adjust height of hub/rotor to easily remove the two large bolts holding strut bottom, remove the three nuts at top of strut in either the rear cargo area or under hood (rear/front respectively). Rinse, wash and repeat X 4.
Anyone have any interest in the OEM struts I removed? Fronts appear to be leaky, rears have cracked dust boots but do not appear to be leaking. PM me and I can send pictures - if I had a set to rebuild I might have gone that route, but the convenience of the bolt in option was a big motivator for me.
Will provide updates as I can regarding ride etc ... but the initial review is a much quieter ride eliminating metal on metal clunks and rattles on typical washboard dirt road. Seems fine on the asphalt, tight and smooth.
We have 'Pay it forward' ... where you give the things for free and only change actual shipping
or
Classified section. Classified posts require that the seller has history with CL.
I assume that what you've shown us here is your purchase order for two different vehicles correct? It looks like you only changed your front end suspension on your 99 RX300. Is this a correct assumption? If so, how is the ride quality now?
No this is the order for all 4 struts for the RX300. Earlier in the thread (or in another similar thread) there is discussion of cross compatibility with Highlanders. Rock auto did not have the rears available for the RX, but another CL member made note of the Highlander using the same parts. I checked on the FCS website and looked at the spec's for the struts recommended for the RX and the Highlander and they are the same dimensionally. Hence the order appearing like it is for two different vehicles. I added the Purchase Order screenshot to aid in part number selection for other RX drivers interested in this approach.
As far as ride improvements go the primary change is the reduction in metal on metal clunks - it is much more quiet. Secondly the handling is tighter on our winding canyon roads here in Colorado - a noticeable change.
@Chazen thanks for the initial review on the FCS struts. Do the struts come with the "universal" top hats with 4 studs? ( one you have to remove when you figure it out) ...or standard 3 mounting studs? FCS seems to have the 4 stud layout with some struts in their catalog to accommodate different cars that have the same or similar ride heights and knuckle mounting points so they can be cross referenced among certain makes.
01-07-17, 09:29 AM
