Strut job question
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 33
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From: WI
Strut job question
Hi there, I’m new to the forum and Lexus. I’ve had Toyotas in the past, and have been a Volvo 240 head and most recently a turbo Subaru fanatic. Anyways, I’m acquiring a 2002 es300 with about 116,000 miles. It needs struts. All around. So, with that being said, it’s a daily driver and I would like a stock setup, for comfort and cruising. I’ve stuck enough money into my Legacy GT which I’m keeping for a weekend racer.
Now, I’m looking at RockAuto KYBs and strut mounts. Is that good? Or should I look to replace other parts while I’m in there. Should I get OEM Lexus strut mounts?
Or would anyone recommend another setup? I’m in the North, and I don’t think coilovers are practical for the winters here. Nor do I want to spend that extra money. Stock right now is fine for my budget. I need to order the parts before I dive in there, and I have experience changing the struts on my LGT, I don’t believe it’s too different. I have impact tools, spring compressors and I know I need an alignment after regardless of how close I think I got the alignment bolt back in there.
Thanks in advance!
Now, I’m looking at RockAuto KYBs and strut mounts. Is that good? Or should I look to replace other parts while I’m in there. Should I get OEM Lexus strut mounts?
Or would anyone recommend another setup? I’m in the North, and I don’t think coilovers are practical for the winters here. Nor do I want to spend that extra money. Stock right now is fine for my budget. I need to order the parts before I dive in there, and I have experience changing the struts on my LGT, I don’t believe it’s too different. I have impact tools, spring compressors and I know I need an alignment after regardless of how close I think I got the alignment bolt back in there.
Thanks in advance!
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 1,102
From: Michigan
Hello,
Seems like an awfully low mileage for a need in new struts..
KYB struts are a little stiffer than OEM, but as long as you stick with OEM springs, the difference should be negligible. Considering the mileage, I would suggest sticking with original mounts, they should last a little longer than that, KYB ones had some issues from the reviews I've seen. Depending on the condition of Spring Isolators and Dust Boots, that may be a good time to replace those as well as they are not too expensive, here is a good place to get OEM ones.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Seems like an awfully low mileage for a need in new struts..
KYB struts are a little stiffer than OEM, but as long as you stick with OEM springs, the difference should be negligible. Considering the mileage, I would suggest sticking with original mounts, they should last a little longer than that, KYB ones had some issues from the reviews I've seen. Depending on the condition of Spring Isolators and Dust Boots, that may be a good time to replace those as well as they are not too expensive, here is a good place to get OEM ones.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 582
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From: CA
here is a good place to get OEM ones.
Last edited by fortitude; Apr 18, 2023 at 05:49 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 1,102
From: Michigan
If you are concerned about their website, they do have an eBay store as well with eBay's money back guarantee.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 270
Likes: 46
From: ME
It does seem too soon. But for reference, when I bought my 147,000 mile '04 the struts were completely blown. Fronts were clashing into the bump stops and if I wanted to I could induce wheel hop by modulating the brakes (rear).
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Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 1,102
From: Michigan
There are also Sachs struts out there, OEM manufacturer for a lot of German cars, but I am yet to find at least one person who used them in ES, so there isn't much information about them. If there is someone who used them, a feedback would be quite helpful.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Last edited by Arsenii; Apr 19, 2023 at 10:54 PM.
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From: VA
I have run Sachs on my RX350 and they were very good quality. I found the regular rear struts too soft on the RX but Sachs offered both regular and sport shocks/struts for the RX so it is hard to compare to the ES. Years ago I put them on my 1994 Mazda MX6 and they improved the handling while keeping a nice ride and lasted until I got rid of it. So I would recommend them.
FYI Sachs and TRW are both owned by ZF Group now and Rock Auto has the TRW versions of the Sachs struts/shocks on clearance. They are the same thing. So a $70 Sachs strut is $30 - $40 under the TRW label depending on what they have left in stock.
Renamed ZF Sachs AG, the company became part of the ZF Group in 2001 and was merged into ZF Friedrichshafen AG in 2011. Today, products of the SACHS brand are successfully sold internationally by ZF Aftermarket, together with the LEMFÖRDER, TRW, WABCO and BOGE brands.
FYI Sachs and TRW are both owned by ZF Group now and Rock Auto has the TRW versions of the Sachs struts/shocks on clearance. They are the same thing. So a $70 Sachs strut is $30 - $40 under the TRW label depending on what they have left in stock.
Renamed ZF Sachs AG, the company became part of the ZF Group in 2001 and was merged into ZF Friedrichshafen AG in 2011. Today, products of the SACHS brand are successfully sold internationally by ZF Aftermarket, together with the LEMFÖRDER, TRW, WABCO and BOGE brands.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 33
Likes: 2
From: WI
OEM is always better, Lexus models came with their own struts, they are interchangeable, yet not identical to the ones used in Camry, while all the aftermarket options are geared specifically to the latter, is that something you are willing to splash out 3 times the price for, that's totally up to you. It depends on what you plan to do with the car, KYB struts with factory springs will last you a good while, but may be just a little stiffer, which could be a good thing depending on who you ask.
There are also Sachs struts out there, OEM manufacturer for a lot of German cars, but I am yet to find at least one person who used them in ES, so there isn't much information about them. If there is someone who used them, a feedback would be quite helpful.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
There are also Sachs struts out there, OEM manufacturer for a lot of German cars, but I am yet to find at least one person who used them in ES, so there isn't much information about them. If there is someone who used them, a feedback would be quite helpful.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Last edited by Wiscojoel; Apr 21, 2023 at 10:03 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 1,102
From: Michigan
That's really nice to know, you are about the only one who spoke publicly about actually using Sachs, or ZF struts in cars other than of German origin. The question of whether they will be a little on the stiffer side like KYB or softer like Monroe in ES is still out though..
That's actually how they tend to get you, there is a reason why some companies create sub-brands and vaguely market those as the same exact thing, then it can give them at least some chance at cutting costs, as those can be parts that didn't go through that robust of the quality control as the main brands, hence the reduction in price, like it was the case with WVE, part of NTK company. Not saying it is the case here, as I am pretty sure that some of the struts Sachs sells under their brand were inherited from merger with TRW, but there is still that possibility that you have to watch out for, since it is quite rare for someone to sell the same exact component for 3/4 of the price.
That's actually how they tend to get you, there is a reason why some companies create sub-brands and vaguely market those as the same exact thing, then it can give them at least some chance at cutting costs, as those can be parts that didn't go through that robust of the quality control as the main brands, hence the reduction in price, like it was the case with WVE, part of NTK company. Not saying it is the case here, as I am pretty sure that some of the struts Sachs sells under their brand were inherited from merger with TRW, but there is still that possibility that you have to watch out for, since it is quite rare for someone to sell the same exact component for 3/4 of the price.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 1,102
From: Michigan
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: wa
Having diagnosed a lot of issues with aftermarket strut mounts, it most often comes down to installation errors. There are a few things about installation not always readily apparent to most DIYers. These can also apply to DIYing the Lexus units if you aren’t taking them to a mechanic.
There are several variables here and the best answer involves analyzing budget, DIY ability or independent mechanic’s ability (also not always a given).
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