2004 Front and Rear Struts---DIY
#31
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Lifetime Alignment from Firestone
There is usually an alignment special at the change of seasons or holidays where they knock off $25-40. I get mine realigned every 5,000 miles when I go in for one of their $19.99, or better, oil change specials, from their coupons available online or the newspaper. They usually do a free rotation if you catch it right. If not, I have only the front tires balanced after rotating the front ones to the rear. This usually results is a $5 net charge because the balance for 2 is $25, and a rotation is $20 if the charge you at all!
I just had my brakes done by them on front for $99.00, which included turning the rotors and new pads (coupon in mail). They originally quoted me $207!! Keep your eyes open and it can be cheaper for them to do it for you, at least it is working out like that for me. Next stop - rear struts - thanks for the info.
I just had my brakes done by them on front for $99.00, which included turning the rotors and new pads (coupon in mail). They originally quoted me $207!! Keep your eyes open and it can be cheaper for them to do it for you, at least it is working out like that for me. Next stop - rear struts - thanks for the info.
#33
So....how'd it go? Do you notice an improvment? I will soon be doing this same job on my '05 RX330 AWD with 130,000miles. No visible leaks on any of the struts, but an annoying "extra" bounce over bumps and an overall unsettled feel tells me it's time.
For those of you familiar with this job, can you confirm the following part numbers (all KYB components). I heard no mention of the Front Upper Spring Seat (SM5485) of Rear Lower Coil Spring Insulator (SM5469) in any posts, but if applicable, would plan to replace them as well.
Front:
Fr Right Strut - 334399
Fr Left Strut - 334400
Fr Mount (x2) - SM5423
Fr Upper Spring Seat (x2) - SM5485
Fr Boots (x2) - SB102
Rear:
Rr Left Strut - 334395
Rr Right Strut - 334394
Rr Boots - SB104
Rr Left Mount - SM5492
Rr Right Mount - SM5491
Rr Lower Coil Spring Insulator (x2) - SM5469
Many Thanks,
Jeff
For those of you familiar with this job, can you confirm the following part numbers (all KYB components). I heard no mention of the Front Upper Spring Seat (SM5485) of Rear Lower Coil Spring Insulator (SM5469) in any posts, but if applicable, would plan to replace them as well.
Front:
Fr Right Strut - 334399
Fr Left Strut - 334400
Fr Mount (x2) - SM5423
Fr Upper Spring Seat (x2) - SM5485
Fr Boots (x2) - SB102
Rear:
Rr Left Strut - 334395
Rr Right Strut - 334394
Rr Boots - SB104
Rr Left Mount - SM5492
Rr Right Mount - SM5491
Rr Lower Coil Spring Insulator (x2) - SM5469
Many Thanks,
Jeff
I had never done this job before, but it went very well. Total time was just over 6 hours, including stopping for a few minutes for lunch. Interestingly, the most difficult thing to remove after 8+ years of Michigan salt were the rear bolts securing the brake lines to the bracket on the strut tube, but eventually these came off with threads intact.
The only somewhat unexpected outcome was that my steering wheel is now slightly off-center ( a couple degrees to the right). I understand this is somewhat common after front struts and that it's recommended to get an alignment. I'll get this done next week. Interestingly, even though the steering is off a couple degrees, there is no pulling whatsoever.
My RX currently has ~139,000
Some background....
I had a very annoying steering wheel vibration than would usually surface around 70 - 75mph. It was so characteristic of wheels out of balance that you would swear that's what it was. Around 10,000 miles ago, I had worn Bridestones replaced with new Michelins at Costco. Vibration was still there....this is what initially got me thinking about struts. Quieter, but still would vibrate. Interestingly, it would usually only vibrate on certain road surfaces (almost always smooth assphalt...most unfortunate since this makes up most of my commute). On smooth concrete highways, the vibration was usually never noticeable. A couple weeks ago, I had the wheels balanced again (~10,000 miles on tires) at a different Costco. Employee said the wheels balanced perfectly. Vibration characteristics were exactly as before.
After replacing all 4 struts....NO VIBRATIONS!!! It's soooo wonderful...and rides so tight and controlled. It's a more drastic outcome than I ever expected. I had hoped for some improvement and the result very much exceeded my expectations.
Last edited by Formula271; 03-29-13 at 05:12 PM.
#34
#35
Struts are interesting animals. Up until about 1 year ago, I had a 1991 Saab 9000 Turbo with 300,000 and the original struts! It never had any symptoms suggesting replacement was needed. Tires wore great, no vibration, remarkably tight handling, never that extra bounce over speed bumps....
I think part of my conflict of convincing myself that the struts could have allowed the vibration in the RX was that the Saab's seemed so robust after all those years. That and the fact that most any internet search of "struts" and "vibration" seems to emphasize that worn struts were typically not associated with steering wheel vibration.
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GREAT JOB,,, Forumla271.... Thanks for listing the parts used and the details of the Complete Job with outcome...
I have NOT tackled the job yet... I now have 158,000 on the RX330 and your description tells me that the soft bouncy lose ride will be taken care of after I get off of MY TAIL and do the job. WELL DONE, GOOD JOB.....
I have NOT tackled the job yet... I now have 158,000 on the RX330 and your description tells me that the soft bouncy lose ride will be taken care of after I get off of MY TAIL and do the job. WELL DONE, GOOD JOB.....
Last edited by Rabjr5; 04-01-13 at 11:19 AM.
#37
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So....how'd it go? Do you notice an improvment? I will soon be doing this same job on my '05 RX330 AWD with 130,000miles. No visible leaks on any of the struts, but an annoying "extra" bounce over bumps and an overall unsettled feel tells me it's time.
For those of you familiar with this job, can you confirm the following part numbers (all KYB components). I heard no mention of the Front Upper Spring Seat (SM5485) of Rear Lower Coil Spring Insulator (SM5469) in any posts, but if applicable, would plan to replace them as well.
Front:
Fr Right Strut - 334399
Fr Left Strut - 334400
Fr Mount (x2) - SM5423
Fr Upper Spring Seat (x2) - SM5485
Fr Boots (x2) - SB102
Rear:
Rr Left Strut - 334395
Rr Right Strut - 334394
Rr Boots - SB104
Rr Left Mount - SM5492
Rr Right Mount - SM5491
Rr Lower Coil Spring Insulator (x2) - SM5469
Many Thanks,
Jeff
For those of you familiar with this job, can you confirm the following part numbers (all KYB components). I heard no mention of the Front Upper Spring Seat (SM5485) of Rear Lower Coil Spring Insulator (SM5469) in any posts, but if applicable, would plan to replace them as well.
Front:
Fr Right Strut - 334399
Fr Left Strut - 334400
Fr Mount (x2) - SM5423
Fr Upper Spring Seat (x2) - SM5485
Fr Boots (x2) - SB102
Rear:
Rr Left Strut - 334395
Rr Right Strut - 334394
Rr Boots - SB104
Rr Left Mount - SM5492
Rr Right Mount - SM5491
Rr Lower Coil Spring Insulator (x2) - SM5469
Many Thanks,
Jeff
Last edited by Cafasco; 11-14-13 at 03:55 PM.
#39
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I finally got to my wife's car (RX 330, 2004) after the passenger front bearing went out and started making a grinding noise, I purchased all the parts from Rock Auto, PartsGeek and Advanced Auto Parts (online discount).. I really procrastinated this job too long and was in a hurry because I needed the car to be on the road quick, so I called a local shop...... I had all the parts already purchased.
The front wheel bearings have to be pressed on and off I brought the parts to a local shop and he charged me 325.00 to do 2 front struts and 2 front wheel bearings.
I used the Monroe Struts and Monroe mounting kits, just to be sure everything matched as designed...
The car now has 170,432 miles when the work was performed, the bearing started making noise at 165,000.
It took the mechanic about 4.5 hours to complete the job... everything went well.. car drives much better and quite....
If you car has over 100,000 miles consider the front wheel bearing..... although LEXUS bearing seem to last longer, 150,000 on average.... on HONDA at 100,000 they are on their way out, I have had 2 Honda;s and 1 Acura go out right at a little over 100,000.
I have both rear bearing hubs... that I will change real soon.....
Car drives and rides much better...
The front wheel bearings have to be pressed on and off I brought the parts to a local shop and he charged me 325.00 to do 2 front struts and 2 front wheel bearings.
I used the Monroe Struts and Monroe mounting kits, just to be sure everything matched as designed...
The car now has 170,432 miles when the work was performed, the bearing started making noise at 165,000.
It took the mechanic about 4.5 hours to complete the job... everything went well.. car drives much better and quite....
If you car has over 100,000 miles consider the front wheel bearing..... although LEXUS bearing seem to last longer, 150,000 on average.... on HONDA at 100,000 they are on their way out, I have had 2 Honda;s and 1 Acura go out right at a little over 100,000.
I have both rear bearing hubs... that I will change real soon.....
Car drives and rides much better...
#42
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I noticed a few questions in this thread asking whether a rear alignment is needed. I have an 06 RX330. I bought the lifetime alignment from Firestone, and during the alignment the service manager told me my right rear tire was off a little but there was no way to adjust it. However, there is a part you can add, so I bought it and they installed it and were able to adjust it.
#43
I noticed a few questions in this thread asking whether a rear alignment is needed. I have an 06 RX330. I bought the lifetime alignment from Firestone, and during the alignment the service manager told me my right rear tire was off a little but there was no way to adjust it. However, there is a part you can add, so I bought it and they installed it and were able to adjust it.
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...6&autoModClar=
#44
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Front Shocks Need replacing
Rockford, while every situation is different, I would recommend planning on replacing the struts sometime between now and 150K miles. The struts that came stock will weaken over time and with wear and tear. A sure fire way of seeing if you need new struts is to jump or push the rear/ front bumper down and release. If the car continues to bounce, its usually time to replace. The resting distance from ground to fender is not really a great indicator all the time. If the car bounces loosely after pressing down on a bumper, time to change. You would really notice it over a speed bump too.
If its not leaking oil, its probably not totally shot, just weakening gradually. I would plan on replacing at around 150K or so regardless.
If its not leaking oil, its probably not totally shot, just weakening gradually. I would plan on replacing at around 150K or so regardless.
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