jptl

Both trunk 'support struts', 'gas charged lift springs', or as Lexus calls them, 'lift cylinders' are shot. ('02 SC430)...garage kept with 31k.
This is unacceptable in my opinion. I have a '91 Porsche with all original support struts (as I call them) that work fine in all temperatures. I have a '99 Explorer with 160k on the clock & year round duty with original support struts. These are $16 each to replace if the need ever comes about.
The lift cylinders in the SC430 are non-numbered KYBs and according to the KYB tech in Illinois today, are only available at the dealer. I've noticed that dealer somehow has a monopoly on these and therefore feels that a 900% markup is equitable. This too, is unacceptable.
Has anybody had any luck finding an aftermarket source for these? I read an earlier post regarding these struts failing: Trunk strut problems
I believe that I've exhausted all options, but I'm hoping that somebody out there has gotten lucky.
For $16 each, gas charged lift springs with identical specs. can be bought through McMaster-Carr and custom fitted using special fittings. This is where the Maserati guys turn for their hood supports. However they know the proper force to specify...thru trial and error, I guess. I don't know the proper force for the Lexus application, however.
If I can't get any help here, I plan to call KYB and ask them what they have to say about their product being defective.
I will follow up with any replies/results.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Not sure what to say. I have owned many Porsches and all of them required replacement of the lift supports as did my Bimmers, Lexus's,etc....
Most likely one new lift support will be enough to support along with an older weaker one though the best situation is to replace both.
With only 39k miles my recommendation would be to contact Lexus for free replacements. Let us know how things work out.

tfischer

I don't think the miles on the car relate much to the life of the trunk struts. They will fail over time rather than miles, and will fail with the stress of being opened. I would think that these struts get more stress than most due to the two-way action of the trunk lid, but I'm not sure.

I had mine in my '02 replaced just before the 4 year warranty was up (only about 20,000 miles), so I can't say how long they would have lasted, although they seemed to be offering less support at the 4 year mark than when new. (I read here of early failures, so I mentioned it to the dealer and he replaced them under warranty with no questions asked.)

On the other hand, I have had several cars with gas struts for the hood, and none that I recall ever failed, and a lot of those cars were a lot more than 6 or 7 years old.

Good luck. If you find a direct aftermarket replacement, let us know, as we will all be looking for something somewhere down the line.

Baron1948

There doesn't seem to be an inexpensive source for this lift supports. I've searched AutoZone and O'Reilly's Web sites and neither carry them. However, they can be found easily on eBay for around $75/pair (free shipping) which is cheaper than a dealer.