DavidEW

So need to buy some struts for my ride, it bounces like a balloon on the road.
No noise from the suspension. After reading I was going to go with the KYB set up for my AWD 1999 RX300 with 100K miles. Found a set of 4 on shox.com for $409 which I guess is decent. I've read always use the OEM mounts because KYB are crap. My question is can I just use the mounts that are already on there or do I need to have new ones installed when I get new struts? And I assume the spring is reused? Sorry for the questions I'm not really familiar with suspensions...
Is there anything else I should replace (read somewhere sway bar mounts) or will just dropping in all new struts sort me out?

Thanks-

thomas1

I would not suggest using the original mounts, think about it they are 14years old and right after you install the new struts the mounts will fail....

JAB

Buy new mounts but make sure they are OE and not KYB!

hypervish

I agree with the others, get new OE mounts.

Boltzmann

I think I paid $1,100 for four new OEM struts, including labor. The RX rides much better. I'm glad I did it.

artbuc

Amen to that!!! Been there, done that.

ktmjay

i was just about to look up why to use oem strut mounts and why, but nobody states a reason why. i am getting ready to install the average kyb shocks on my Rx with in a couple of weeks. my question is are the KYB mounts no good or are the bearings no good. i understand that the mounts and separate bearings cost around 90.00 per side vs 53.00 per side if you go w/ KYB. yes im not a big KYB fan and would consider the Sachs European brand over KYB,but my shock blew out and don't need to do the research on it. are the KYB stuff that bad or is it the oem stuff that good. just curious.

hypervish

Welcome to Club Lexus!

KYB bearings are terrible, you'll be lucky if they arrive undamaged. They are made in foreign countries with no QC. I've had them arrive with half the ***** rolling around in the box.

The mounts are also bad, very noisy.

ktmjay

thanks that is what i wanted to find out, what about moorg my spelling sucks, but i have had good luck with them in the passed but haven't seen much about them on the site. yes they are cheaper but im just looking into all areas. also if the mounts from other venders are good then should buy oem bearings w/ the mounts

JAB

When I redid my suspension a few years ago and held an OE mount in one hand the KYB mount in the other, the differences while hard to describe were obvious. For one, the machining on the KYB was sufficiently imprecise that with paint on them the strut didn't fit into the mount without filing, sanding, hammering into place. Hard to understand why the same company that manages to produce a decent strut can't make a decent mount for that strut, but that is the truth.

ktmjay

didn't want to steel this post but thanks for that info. i know i have this Rx and my sons mom has a 07 350 that i will be working on when the time comes. i will be doing the work myself since i can, and hate the stealers at the dealer but, the mount is a mount ,yes it needs to be replaced after 10 years of service but getting a new mount and buying a good bearing be the way to go

artbuc

Lol! One of my KYB mounts did, in fact, have the ball bearings rolling all around the box. KYB resells mounts from low quality 3rd party suppliers. Considering their very high quality, made in Japan struts, it is hard to understand why they are selling such crappy mounts. The ones I bought came from two different under-developed countries, looked completely different and both had very bad fit/finish. Can't tell you had they performed because I returned them.

fastnoypi

How long are OEM strut mounts good for and what do I look for in terms of wear to tell if they are bad? I've never seen a top hat gone bad, just the bearings. Could i just replace my stock mount bearings?

Any feedback on Moog strut mounts as a good alternative? they have been reputable for most replacement parts i have used, but just like KYB..you never know if their 3rd party suppliers are bad for a particular part.

gazi001

How is SACHS strut?