I have a '97 Lexus ES300 with 112K miles on it. I have the adaptive variable suspension (AVS) that allows you to change the dampening of the suspension via a switch located in the center console area (next to the gear shifter). I have been getting a lot of 'thumping' noise when I go over even small bumps. In one of my previous visits to the mechanic, he had told me I may need to replace the struts and/or strut mounts.

Since I have the AVS, I believe replacing the electronic struts will be quite expensive. I don't really care for the adjustable suspension and would like to replace it with standard struts. Is this possible? If it is, then does the mechanic just have to replace them with regular struts, or is there more work involved in converting from AVS to standard? The mechanic I go to is a generic one who works on all types of cars and is not a lexus specialist, so I just want to understand what would need to be done before I go to him.

Also, could a bad strut mount cause a thumping noise? It feels as if there is something in the trunk that is bouncing, but it is infact coming from the suspension.

Your help is appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Hi there

trust me you wont have any reply on this one, simply because AVS is quite rare option

I have it, and i went to the dealer for a quotes, only for the pieces not labor
its about 300 for the rear ones and 330 for the front one ( take in mind that i live in quebec city and it is CAN $ )
well, i am still waiting but i will surely replace them with AVS because its very nice and work wonderfully. Well, my rear one are still nice( no leak and no bumping sound) my front one will need to be replace, before the snow come i will get it repair.

I wont do it at the stealership
I know personnaly a guy ( over30 years experience) how worked for CAA ( and assosiation where you get you car cheked before you buy it)

Well all this S H I T to say that with the well written DIY on internet and with this guy i will replace my AVS to AVS

 

if the noise is coming from the trunk area, more than likely it is worn out sway bar bushings (which are cheap). And you can replace the AVS struts with regular ones. There is no additional work involved, you just don't have to hook up an electrical connection to the top of the strut.

 

yes you can replace your struts with just regular ones. the avs system just has plugs that go into the struts. if you replace with regular struts, then you just wont use those plugs.

 

Thanks for your responses. I read on this forum that some people who replaced AVS struts with regular struts had their ABS and TRAC lights come on, with the TRAC light flashing. A couple of people had this problem, but there was no solution posted to that problem in the threads that I read. Is this a big concern? If these lights come on after replacing with regular struts, what is done to fix them?

 

this is one of the main reason why i dont want to switch with regular one,

if i switch to regular one and had those light up ( meaning your abs and traction control doesnt work) well last year we had over 550 cm of snow
let me tel you that no trac control your Fuc!Ked up
No abs on the ice your Way more ****ed up you and the car in front of you...
I NEED THOSE :P hahaha so i keep in mind that it would cost probably less in the long therm, imagine you pay a strut kit and those light came up and you need to pay AGAIN to fix the prob, first you dont know what it is and the dealer wont help you that much...(if your lexus dealer are like mine here, the only one in the city...they have ''''technicien''''''' well i came there and ask a price for AVS strut for es300 97, he look at me like if i was speeking japanese... well

Good chance with you cars.

rembo



rembo

 

I HAVE A 97 ES 300 , IT HAS @ 180 K ON IT MOST OD THAT WAS HIGHWAY IT IS IN EXCELLANT SHAPE , MY PROBLEM IS THE REAR SUPETION SEEMS TO BOTTOM TOO EASY . IT DOSE HAVE THE RIDE CONTROL OPTION . IT ALL WORKS WELL . I AM ASUMING THAT THE SHOCK ARE GETTING WEEK ? i HAVE LOOKED AT THEM AND THERE ARE MOTERIZED CABLES THAT GO IN SIDE THE SHOCK TO ADJUST THE VALVING . SO , THINK TO REPLCE THE SAME SYSTEM IS THE BEST IDEA . IS THAT ALL THAT IS CAUSING MY PROBLEM ? I AM NOT SHURE I WANT TO PUT A TREMDOUS ABOUT OF $'S INTO THIS BECAUSE I AM LOOKING AT GETTING A NEWER ES 330 .

 

I got rid of the thumping noises JUST by replacing all of the sway bar bushing at the rear - the bushing are easy to replace and all is quiet. There was nothing wrong with the struts/shock area.

 

Hello

I live in Montreal and I have a Lexus Es 330 with the adaptative suspension - Where did you buy your strut and coil that goes with the adaptavitve suspension .

Thanks
Bernard

 

Hello Rembo

I'm interested to know where someone in the province of Quebec could buy the adaptive suspension strut and coil. ? They are really expansive ?

Thank you

 

A full set of TEMS struts in Canada will be about $2500.

 

Hello

In this case, I will only buy regular strut and coil and get rid of the variable adaptive suspension - it is way to expensive to have that option - I made a mistake when I purchased that car 1 week ago.

Thank you

 

Will those work as replacement options for the AVS, yet retaining the AVS functionality:

1- https://www.d2racingcoilovers.com/pr...=p15200-c40374

2- https://ksportusa.com/product/lexus-...xus-es300-2003

 

I would suggest asking the retailer/manufacturer for a definitive answer and confirmation, especially given the cost.

 

I just replaced my AVS system with a set of Moog pre-built strut/spring assemblies and I'm very happy with it, especially since it was a quarter of the cost of just replacing the AVS struts alone. I have a Canadian car as well (from my in-laws) and the end links fasteners were all rusted out on all 4 corners. The hex heads stripped upon removal and I ended up cutting them off the sway bars and replaced them. The aftermarket units I got uses two 15mm wrenches to fasten instead of the OEM design of a hex bit and 15mm wrench. Just something to keep in mind as you update your suspension.

That depends on what you're actually looking for. Are these drop in replacements that you can use the AVS dial to control the suspension on the fly? No, not at all. What you posted are air shocks and they need an air compressor to make adjustments. If you want to make adjustments on the go, you'll need some kind of air management system installed in your car as well. On the bright-side, you'll have more granular control of dampening settings for each corner as well ride height adjustment.