SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

one front shock is blown..
Is it necessary to change out the stock upper mounts with new one at 130k miles?
The dust boot is also broken that needs to be purchased as well.

The Lexus upper mounts cost more than the shocks (about $100) each for just the mount.

It looks like KYB lists upper mounts for much cheaper, along with their verson of the dust boot.

I know everyone says just get coilovers, but i'm resisting for this car and want to restore OE ride quality.



Also Does anyone know why the 97+ struts from dealer is half the price as the strut listed for the 93 ones?

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...C300-1993.html
vs
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...C300-1998.html

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

When I replaced my stock struts with tokico blues I reused the stock top hats. There was nothing wrong with them at the time on my car (around 130k).

Candela

iTrader: (1)

If you wanna change em, do it while you're already replacing the shocks, that way you'll only have to take the assembly apart one time.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

I may have mistaken these are worn out... but maybe not

What I am seeing is the dust boot is torn off, and there is rubber squeezing out near the top of the spring.. so I thought maybe my strut mounts are bad.
It turns out the dust boot is a 1 piece design, and is also what lexus call isolator, and the top part rubber flange of the dust boot provides a cushion between the strut mount and the spring top. Most cars have this as a rubber ring sepearately, and for the SC this is one dust boot and cushion ring is one single piece. So I think maybe the strut mount are still usable. They are too expensive to be replacing.

Candela

iTrader: (1)

Got kyb shock mounts for $18 a piece front, and $30 a piece rear.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

After taking the stocks apart there is very little reasons to believe the top mounts needs to be changed. The isolators / dust boot however all needed to be replaced, about $100 for all 4

GTE4Life

iTrader: (6)

I replaced both front shocks (with another USED set from ebay) and i did not replace the tops, I think the quality of the parts is very good and unless they are very beat out there is no need for replacement. I've been on those used shocks and the old hats for the last 5 years now and my car has 175K and a GTE swap and they are still fine (i check that stuff every time i change the oil).

In short if you WANT to replace them then there is nothing wrong with that, but they are probably fine to keep using.