Claxmaster

Checking with you all to see if anyone knows where to find some OEM parts, Strut coil/Springs for my 02 ES 300? Also does anyone recommend an upgraded aftermarket option? I would prefer the strut/spring option to make the transition much easier.

LeX2K

If you want OEM parts use this site to look up the numbers then google for the best price
http://www.japan-parts.eu/

I am not a fan of ready to install struts way too many problems such as noisy mounts, wrong ride height. There may be good coilovers out there not sure if there are they won't be cheap.

Coldax

When I look up prices on LexusPartsNow it totals out to nearly $1,000 to replace all the front strut pieces on both sides (except springs) on my 2000. Considering I also need LCA it's just not worth it to go OEM as much as I prefer. I can see how the pre made assemblies are such an appealing option.

ES214

Two questions. 1) What are you referring to by "ready to install struts"? 2) What is the alternative?

Asking because mechanic told me front struts need to be replaced on my 330.

80es300

1. Ready to install struts examples: Monroe quick struts, KYB strut plus (coils, struts, mounts all in one piece, easy to install but quality usually not as good)
2. Alternative is to buy struts, reuse OEM coils if good, reuse/buy mounts, etc. More work to build the strut & expensive but better quality this way

ilkinandr

Agreed to try to go as close to OEM as possible. I was able to source OEM and KYB who is OEM for Toyota. All 4 Struts came to be around $550.
Search for deals online or if you can get mechanic order parts from Toyota/Lexus with their discount. I ended up with KYB Struts made in USA, mine were from Japan (a little stiffer than OEM), Front Mounts OEM with bearing. All Insulators, bump stops are OEM. Springs reused with 150k Miles on them, all seem fine. Rear Mounts had to be KYB as could not find OEM cheaper than $250 each.

Bohab

I just did all four original Factory struts on my 06 es330 200,000 miles just a few weeks ago I got KYB Excel G struts and used the original stock Springs and mounts, I was going to replace the mounts also but when my order came in they looked like they'd come from a junkyard so I sent them back. Sanded down the old ones painted greased them up and put them back in. 4000 miles so far no issues.

The KYBs are now doing a fine job and they were reasonably priced I think I paid $300 for all of them but when I first put them on I was extremely upset they were very stiff felt like I was driving a tank I even considered pulling them back off and sending them back but after a few hundred miles they softened up substantially and now they ride pretty nice.

I would recommend the KYB struts but not the mounts the mounts were horrible one was nice the other was rusty and dirty and not the same at all if you are going to do everything just get OEM mounts... I also would not recommend using RockAuto they have the best price that I found but when I got my struts they were just thrown in a box no packaging no labeling nothing just strut in box. Parts Geek seems to have a lot of OEM stuff and still a reasonable price but I have not used them yet.

If your going to be replacing control arms obviously you're going to need an alignment I would recommend ordering the linear arms for the rear adjustment and replacing those as well. Or at least taking a good look at them and making sure they're not seized mine were seized and I ran into serious hassles trying to get my car aligned.

djr48312

I'm a fan of also replacing the springs after 100k miles. If the struts are shot the springs likely have degraded as well. This after replacing struts on several cars without replacing the springs. The compression force of the suspension just isn't as good as when the car was newer, and i attribute this to weakened springs. So i'm a fan of replacing strut and spring in a ready to install unit and doing the same for the rear.