GrillGuy

On a 1996 Es300 how hard is it to replace all 4 shocks or struts?

artbuc

Assuming you have the mechanical skills/tools, easy if you are going with pre-assembled units, not so easy if you have to remove/re-install springs. Of course you can always take the old struts to a shop and pay them to do the spring compression work. Rears are a minor PITA because you have to remove the rear seat and access to the top bolts is not too good.

lostape45

Plus if they are the originals, just think of all the rust and what not. I attempted to do mine myself but soon realized it was far out of my realm with the tools I have. Pretty much all of the bolts were locked. I also needed my original springs put on the new struts and didn't want to compress them myself. I had the rears done, cost me around $300 in labor from a local shop. All of the parts I ordered were around $220

GrillGuy

Thanks I have never had to remove a seat for struts. But there's a first time for everything.

BDSL

I have done it on a few vehicles.
It is not hard. It is just time consuming.

These are things that you have to watch out for:
- the bolts/nuts at the strut bottom can be hard to remove. You might need two big breaker bards.
- some of the fasteners might be rusted / seized due to the age of your vehicle
- be careful not to damage the ABS sensor / wires / brake line