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Lexus IS: How to Replace Front Shocks

Shock absorbers are the cushion between your vehicle and the road. Worn shocks can cause an uncomfortable ride and advanced wear on related suspension components. Here is how to replace them yourself on the Lexus IS.

By Piyush Kayastha - December 1, 2014

This article applies to the Lexus IS (2005-2013).

A vehicle's suspension contributes to its stability and a comfortable ride for you and your passengers. Harsh roads and a spirited driving style can cause suspension wear. Pot holes are brutal to the dampening system of your shocks and can degrade the shocks' ability to rebound properly. Common signs of wear are noted when pressing the brakes and the front of the vehicle leans forward. Similarly, when you're "breaking" into a turn and the body of the vehicle feels like it is shifting. Excess vibrations when traveling on a smooth road are other indicators that it's time to replace your front shocks. The front shock absorbers are housed in the strut assembly. The strut assembly must first be removed to access the shock assembly.

Materials Needed

  • 10mm, 14mm, and 17mm sockets
  • Breaker bar
  • Torque wrench
  • Hydraulic jack, wheel chocks, and jack stands
  • Spring compressor
  • 19mm wrench

Step 1 - Loosen wheel and raise the car

Chock the rear wheels and loosen the front wheel lug nuts. Raise the car and secure with jack stands.

Figure 1. Raise the Lexus and secure it with jack stands.

Step 2 - Remove ABS speed sensor bolt and wires

Remove the 10mm nut attached to the shock absorber using the socket wrench and set aside.

Figure 2. Remove the 10mm nut.

Pro Tip

Turn the wheel full lock to the side which you are working on to gain more clearance.

Step 3 - Remove lower shock absorber nut

Using a 19mm wrench on the inside and a 17mm socket on a breaker bar on the outside, remove the bolt.

  • Figure 3. Remove lower nut.
  • Figure 4. Remove torsion bar bolts.

Pro Tip

Remove stabilizer bolts to gain clearance. See figure 4.

Step 4 - Remove strut tower nuts

These are located in the engine bay and are 14mm.

Figure 5. Remove the upper nuts located under the hood.

Pro Tip

If your car comes with AVS motor over the strut as seen in figure 5, it can be turned counter clockwise and moved to the side.

Step 5 - Remove strut assembly and compress spring

Now the entire assembly can be removed and you can compress the spring. The spring nut can be removed now as long as the spring is fully compressed.

  • Figure 6. Remove the assembly and compress the spring using your spring compressor.
  • Figure 7. Be sure to compress the spring before removing the nut shown above.

Step 6 - Assemble new strut

Replace the shock absorber in the strut assembly.

Figure 8. Assemble the new strut into the spring.

Step 7 - Install the new strut onto the car

Now you can re-install the strut assembly as one unit. Don't forget to torque to 47 ft lb.

Pro Tip

Insert the strut assembly and loosely tighten one strut nut. This will give you room to rotate the bottom of the strut and align the bottom bolt to the strut bracket.

Featured Video: How to Change Front Struts

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