SCFriend

my friend with an 07 with about 109k miles on it now has started getting a "groaning" noise whenever the wheel is cut hard to the right or left, either sitting still or rolling. A local repair shop (not the dealer) checked it out and said there was some "stuff that needed to be lubricated". Not trusting this opinion he went to a Toyota dealer where he was getting new brake pads installed on all 4 corners (no Lexus dealer in the city where he lives), they diagnosed the car as needing 4 new struts and a new balljoint, to the tune of over $2 grand.

So he will be going to a Lexus dealer for a second (3rd? LOL) opinion.

If in fact he does need the struts and balljoint, I am thinking chances are there will be a bunch more suspension stuff that should really be done at the same time when everything is apart anyway - perhaps bushings, endlinks, etc?

Is he better off sticking with the OEM strut replacements or should he go aftermarket? He's not looking to slam the car or anything, and is more of a ride comfort guy than handling enthusiast

jzwu

Now your friend is going to more and more expensive places to seek opinions, so what do you expect?

100k miles is too early for the suspension system to go out on Lexus.

When I did the 90k miles timing belt service on my 2004 Sienna van the Toyota dealer told me that I needed to change all struts. I just ignored it and now at 130k miles everything is still fine, and van rides as smooth as ever.