Car is a 2004 ES330 with just shy of 160,000 miles. I was told earlier this summer that one of my front struts was 'drooping'. Shop quoted me $800 to replace them. I hadn't noticed any handling issues, and I told them I'd wait a bit because I was moving. Now at the end of the summer, I've moved, and I'm starting to notice some groans and thumps in the front end and the car doesn't feel as stable as it did. I've called around 3 different shops, and I've gotten quotes for $800 for FCS struts, $1300 for Monroe quick struts, or $1700 for rebuilding the struts with KYB struts and mounts. When I was much younger, I replaced struts on a BMW 320i (a horrible job) and on a Toyota Tercel (much easier). Spring compressors don't bother me that much, way back when I last used them they didn't have safety clips. I'm trying to decide if I want to take this on myself.

Parts will be about $350 shipped for KYB struts, mounts, and spring insulators top and bottom and Sachs bellows and bump stops. Lexus OE bearings will be another $80. I'll probably buy an battery electric impact wrench rather than try to revive my dad's air compressor. I'll need to buy jack stands and probably a hydraulic floor jack. So I'll be out about as much doing it myself as having it done with the cheap struts.

Does anyone have experience with the FCS quick struts? I don't want to spend $800 and have to do it again next year.
Some videos show removing the axle nut to get additional flex in the front knuckle, is that required?
Is there anything else you can tell me to talk me into or out of fixing this myself?

 

I've read good things about Sachs struts going to use them on my next project. I would avoid complete strut assemblies there are horror stories out there, and some people that like them. Suspension noise can be strut mount, control arm, ball joint, sway bar link, sway bar bushing. You can get away with not removing the axle instead remove the ball joint from the control arm.

 

Datanerd. I am going through replacing all 4 struts on my 97 ES 300as well as other suspension components (212K miles). I am using KYB complete assemblies so as not to fool with spring compressors. I am doing the work myself, slowly and i found the following to be very handy: Electric impact wrench, new set of 1/2" impact sockets, set of ratcheting/open end wrenches, the usual jack and jack stands, a breaker bar various extensions, MFH (hammer), brake cleaner and penetrating oil.

Plenty of information on here and YouTube for this kind of work. Check your CV boots while in there.

 

Unfortunately there aren't any KYB Strut-plus assemblies for the 2004-2006 ES330. Otherwise I would be using them Thank you for the tool list; I think I have or can borrow most of the hand tools and I'll need to get the battery powered impact wrench.

 

I used FCS on my 2006 BMW and so far so good. Been a year. No difference in ride quality and no noise. For the rears I went SACHS which was the OEM supplier for BMW.

On my 2007 ES350 I used Monroe Quick Struts and no issues so far- 2 years in. Ride quality is good and no noise.

 

There have been a few people on this forum that went with complete struts and hated them. Bad ride, wrong ride height. Hopefully those quality issues have been fixed.

 

Following up on this, after having been out of town for most of September on business, I finally got back and had to do something about the struts. I ended up going with the garage that recommends the FCS quick strut units. Those front and back, plus replacing the stabilizer bar end links front and back, came to right around $2200. This fixed the groaning, clunking, and jittering for lack of a better word. The ride is certainly firmer, but not objectionable. I assume I am noticing it because the ride was soft from very worn struts. Ride height is not noticeably changed. I'll set a reminder to come back in 6 months and update this.

 

Any update on the FCS strut assemblies?

 

So far, after 6000 miles they've broken in a bit. Still firmer than the originals but tolerable, and much more composed when going over railroad tracks or other uneven pavement. No regrets on getting them.

 

I must be misunderstanding you because had KYBs put on my 04 ES330 last year. Not sure I know what "strut-plus" is though so maybe that's the diff.

 

KYB Strut Plus is their branding for the entire assembly, including strut mount and bearing and spring. If you got KYB struts, they disassembled and replaced the strut with a KYB strut, but possibly kept the springs or mounts.

 

They did indeed. Thanks for the clarification

 

Whatever you do DO NOT get Monroe’s. They are absolute crap. They lowered my front end by over 4 inches, caused horrible creaking noises while turning, and bottomed out on everything. Found some used OE ones that had 150K less miles than my originals had and i have never looked back. Feels like a whole new car after months of those god awful Monroe’s. All those quick struts are garbage aside from KYB. I would still go OE if you can.