alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Buddy and I did it. Didnt have time for a full DIY with pics like my other threads. Also did a rear knuckle - but thats another story.

Any questions on the tear down or install let me know. I kept stock springs and struts (KYB) with all new mounts, etc. Wasnt that bad at all.

Cheers

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

132k miles on my car. Original struts were toast.

burny

i had to do the wife's on all 4 corners around 90k. But this dump of a town I live in has a pothole on every corner.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

lol yeah man....I should have done it sooner. my car was bouncing all over the highway

LexusLive

Does it ride better now? How can you tell when your struts are blown?

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Rides like A dream now

Three ways i tell they are bad:
1. Tire wear....edge of tire aka cupping
2. Bouncy...push on trunk...car should not continue up and down
3. Harsh when u hit and bumps or holes in road.

rxonmymind

I'm doing mine today. Hard to tell if they are blown if you've owned it for a bit. Kinda get used to it. However if its floating on a cloud and does a a bit to much swaying side to side after going around a bend then it's time. Also probably a good idea to change them out after 100k. Like on my RX

gr8fulRed

too bad, as I really get a ton of value from your excellent DIY threads. How difficult was this? I like to diy when I can, but I'm not a mechanic. Does this take special tools, skills?? Also, do you have a DIY coolant flush anywhere posted?? Been looking for one.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man. If u want, pm me and i can give you my number and we can discuss. Only special tool needed can be rented through autozone: pitman arm puller to remove ball joints from control arms. That is if u take your old assembled struts/springs to a shop and pay them to swap the new struts. Or u need to get your own sprin compressor and do yourself. But be careful its dangerous. The rest is pretty standard...17mm and 19mm wrenches and sockets. Have a friend help. Also search youtube as a guy did his 430. However i did my rears differently, he compresses the rear springs with them on the car and i removed lower controk arm instead to give room.

I did a drain/fill on my coolant w my water pump change....go look for that.

wickedtaco

Hi, what did u pay for the four struts? Did you replace the springs at an earlier date? Was also wondering if you considered coils? I'm sure you saved a couple hundred instead of taking it to a shop

cheers

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

I wanted factory ride so I kept my stock springs. I bought all my parts from rock auto. Total was $500 including mounts and all four struts. I spent $50 getting a shop to compress springs and swap new struts into them w new mounts etc. I spent $85 on alignment.

As a reference, local Lexus dealer wanted $1700 for parts and labor of same job. Not including alignment which was $150.

energie8

I just ordered 2 rears from KYB, gonna install them before winter. Got a check up few weeks ago and rear was leaking on 1 side so decided to change both.

rxonmymind

Bought a pair of spring compressors from Harbor freight for $14. Did the job without issue and the tool paid for itself as far as I'm concerned.
Cheers.

burny

advance auto will give you a set with a deposit until you return them. basically free

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Are you AWD or RWD? Ive been having rear cupping and edge wear aswell. Ive replaced rear shocks, rear chamber arm (aft adjustable), rear toe/trailing arm

I still get cupping