Blown rear shocks and trailing arm bushings
#17
Instructor
Rear Shocks
Our 2011 RX350's rear shocks were replaced by the dealer at 32,196 miles during the 161 point CPO certification. Just as a point of information.
Ray A.
Ray A.
#18
Lead Lap
Shocks are one thing, relatively easy job with a few basic tools.
Control arm bushings..........another animal.
Bushings are likely pressed in & will require removal of the arm.
The arm takes the physical weight of the vehicle & compresses the coil spring.
If you haven't done this before I recommend against it.
The energy stored in the compressed spring is staggering.
One wrong turn at the wrong time & the coil can become unseated & come out from under the car like a missile.More than a few fingers have been lost when the coil decides it's time. Good friend of mine lost two fingers this way.
Get it to the dealer or an experienced shop.
Control arm bushings..........another animal.
Bushings are likely pressed in & will require removal of the arm.
The arm takes the physical weight of the vehicle & compresses the coil spring.
If you haven't done this before I recommend against it.
The energy stored in the compressed spring is staggering.
One wrong turn at the wrong time & the coil can become unseated & come out from under the car like a missile.More than a few fingers have been lost when the coil decides it's time. Good friend of mine lost two fingers this way.
Get it to the dealer or an experienced shop.
#19
intresting. our 2010 rx350 had its rear shocks replaced as well at approximately 33k during its CPO inspection before we took delivery.
#20
Yes, they made a revision to the trailing arm. I don't have the paperwork in front of me here, but let the dealership know that Lexus made a revision to it. Mine squeeks going over speed bumps on the downstroke. Lexus won't pay for an alignment after, so make sure you get it done. My car is tracking funny after having it changed even though the guy said nothing will happen.
#21
Lead Lap
Just finished replacing both rear shocks on my wifes RX.
Dealer mentioned last visit one was leaking & warranty would cover it. I was thinking I would pay them to change the second while they had the car.
Long story short my wife is the primary driver, I rarely use it. To save her a trip out to the dealer & leave it for the day, I bought both shocks at Sewell for $70.50.
Under 60 minutes to set up the rear of the car on stands, remove wheels, replace shocks, replace wheels & torque everything correctly along the way. This includes sweeping the garage floor & a 5 minute spin down the road & back.
Dealer mentioned last visit one was leaking & warranty would cover it. I was thinking I would pay them to change the second while they had the car.
Long story short my wife is the primary driver, I rarely use it. To save her a trip out to the dealer & leave it for the day, I bought both shocks at Sewell for $70.50.
Under 60 minutes to set up the rear of the car on stands, remove wheels, replace shocks, replace wheels & torque everything correctly along the way. This includes sweeping the garage floor & a 5 minute spin down the road & back.
#22
Instructor
Just finished replacing both rear shocks on my wifes RX.
Dealer mentioned last visit one was leaking & warranty would cover it. I was thinking I would pay them to change the second while they had the car.
Long story short my wife is the primary driver, I rarely use it. To save her a trip out to the dealer & leave it for the day, I bought both shocks at Sewell for $70.50.
Under 60 minutes to set up the rear of the car on stands, remove wheels, replace shocks, replace wheels & torque everything correctly along the way. This includes sweeping the garage floor & a 5 minute spin down the road & back.
Dealer mentioned last visit one was leaking & warranty would cover it. I was thinking I would pay them to change the second while they had the car.
Long story short my wife is the primary driver, I rarely use it. To save her a trip out to the dealer & leave it for the day, I bought both shocks at Sewell for $70.50.
Under 60 minutes to set up the rear of the car on stands, remove wheels, replace shocks, replace wheels & torque everything correctly along the way. This includes sweeping the garage floor & a 5 minute spin down the road & back.
I've never heard of changing ONE shock because it's leaking. It would follow that the other one would be leaking soon, and replacing both would produce a matching pair.
Nice job fixing it yourself for $70 and one hour's time.
#23
Lead Lap
Had I been thinking of it I could have taken some pics & posted a DIY. Super simple job with a few basic tools any DIY person would have.
I used only the keyed lug-nut wrench adaptor from the car.
Floor jack & two jack stands.
3/8 drive & 21mm deep socket to get the wheels off.
3/8 drive torque wrench for the shock bolts 17mm & the road wheels 21mm.
1/2" drive X long bar with a 17mm deep socket for the shock bolts.
17mm combination wrench for the nut on the lower mounting bolt.
Sprayed down the suspension components with Rust-Check while the wheels were off. The black paint is starting to scale off on a few areas.
#24
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
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Both of my shocks were replaced bc of leaking in May. The squeaking over bumps coming from the rear was finally determined to be coming from the trailing arms. When I picked up my car, they only replaced one side but the noise was mostly gone. The right side still made a little bit of noise but I was just happy that it wasn't that bad. 5 months later and its starting to make more noise. Warranty ends in November so I will have to get it done at my next oil change
#25
Instructor
#26
Lead Lap
Rust-Check is an oil based product available in an aerosol spray. Cleans up easily with soap/water. Non-conductor. Creeps into crevices over time, lubricates parts, prevents corrosion & stops existing corrosion.
Local dealer will treat the entire car.
I used to run a couple of Civics for two of my sons while they were in university. Kept them very safe & dependable. Every so often I'd need a part ( "Honest Dad, I don't know how that happened" ) & would go direct to the parts cars with the Rust-Check stickers on the windows.
Absolutely no rust, everything would come apart easily with small hand tools.
Local dealer will treat the entire car.
I used to run a couple of Civics for two of my sons while they were in university. Kept them very safe & dependable. Every so often I'd need a part ( "Honest Dad, I don't know how that happened" ) & would go direct to the parts cars with the Rust-Check stickers on the windows.
Absolutely no rust, everything would come apart easily with small hand tools.
#27
Moderator
It appears Rust Check is only available in Canada. I think similar US products are CorrosionX, Liquifix or fluid Film
http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx.html
https://liquifix.com/rust-removal-an...vention-spray/
http://www.fluid-film.com/products/
I have only used Fluid Film and as a lubricant where it is very tenacious, but being lanolin based, smells a bit like wet wool.
http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx.html
https://liquifix.com/rust-removal-an...vention-spray/
http://www.fluid-film.com/products/
I have only used Fluid Film and as a lubricant where it is very tenacious, but being lanolin based, smells a bit like wet wool.
#28
Lead Lap
Rust-Check has the consistency of a vegetable oil. They've added a slight cherry aroma to it.
Severe salt-belt locally & you can easily tell which cars have been treated vs. those without it.
Today's new cars "seem" to last longer, mid 90's vehicles virtually rusted away under the paint.
Severe salt-belt locally & you can easily tell which cars have been treated vs. those without it.
Today's new cars "seem" to last longer, mid 90's vehicles virtually rusted away under the paint.
#29
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
Rears on my 2010 RX350 were replaced last month at 50k miles. I'm the original owner and was quite surprised when they already started leaking at such low miles. Didn't know there was a TSB on it though, so paid out of pocket for it.
No other problems with the car other than this.
No other problems with the car other than this.
#30
I would never knowingly drive around on bad leaking shocks. Dealer should change them NOW.
I am going to check my shocks! I am going to be near the dealer this weekend for a business conference. But alas, I will be too busy with that to be able to swing by the dealer. Maybe I will have them checked first by a nearby Toyota dealer.
Great forum. Many really great people here and excellent information too. Thanks.
I am going to check my shocks! I am going to be near the dealer this weekend for a business conference. But alas, I will be too busy with that to be able to swing by the dealer. Maybe I will have them checked first by a nearby Toyota dealer.
Great forum. Many really great people here and excellent information too. Thanks.