Has anyone found a good option for replacing the entire strut assembly? For some reason KYB does not make a front assembly, only the strut. Other options are Monroe, which I read/hear is not good, NAPA (made by Monroe) and Moog - no reports.

BTW - This thread has morphed into a complete suspension rebuild, including switching from 2008 struts to 2010 struts in the front. 2010 front struts are a bit firmer and specs are documented in later posts. Primarily comparison of factory -vs- aftermarket parts and lessons learned that are typically not in the manual.

 

Don't do it. Just get a strut and keep the factory spring etc. Most of the aftermarket strut assemblies are junk, especially the surrounding part, bearings, bushings etc. and will wear out far sooner than if you kept the factory stuff and just replaced the strut, and maybe the strut bearing at the same time.
You will be happier in the long run even if you have to pay a shop to compress the spring and swap the parts over to the new strut. That is if you plan to remove the old strut yourself.

 

KYB does make a rear assembly - happen to know if it is any good?

 

I have no idea about the KYB assembly. They are a good quality strut and shock manufacturer. Maybe it is time for you to TOFTT since you seem so interested. I saw Rock Auto has a lot of these assemblies with Monroe (a strut & shock manufacturer) and Moog (a suspension component manufacturer) being the most prominent for front and rear beside the KYB rear ones.
FYI I think Gabriel is a cheaper division of Monroe.

 

KYB is what a lot of folks swear by if Bilsteins or Koni's are NOT involved. But for some reason KYB assembly is only available for the back. wonder why. I try to avoid messing with strut springs when I can. worth the piece of mind - cheap medical insurance.

 

I have installed KYB quick assembly on the rear and replaced the front strut cartridges with KYB strut. too bad they don't make quick struts for the front. they work great. I have an 08 es350.

 

KYB does make a strut assembly for the 3.5 L camry. The difference in weight is 3517 for the camry vs 3580 for the ES. So 63 lbs difference. Does that mean a different spring? I'm tempted to buy the camry assembly to match the KYB's I put on the rear.

 

Why do you say this? What is your experience? Please share.

 

KYB quick assemblies work great. I installed them in the rear. the suspension was a little firm in the beginning but it is as smooth as the original struts after 5 month. for the front I couldn't find a KYB quick assembly so I just replaced the strut itself. KYB is great. Monroe not that much.

 

Just put Monroe on the front since kyb didn't have any. They seem to ride fine (not sure how stock is since mine was blown when I purchased) if they don't last I'll probably give the camry ones a shot.

 

Hey Guys, I did a little more research on this. I'll just cut and paste my email that I sent to KYB:

Hello:
I have a Lexus ES350 2008 model. Interested in purchasing Strut Plus for front and rear. In 2008, KYB only lists products for the rear. In 2009, KYB lists both front and rear. Same for 2007.

Looking at Toyota Part numbers, 2008 and 2009 and even 2007 fronts are the same part number for both the shocks and the springs. I'm wondering if I can us SR4400 and SR4401 for my 2008 Lexus ES350 which has a date of first use : June 2008

My other question: Is KYB OEM supplier for Toyota and Lexus?

Thank you,
Jim

Toyota Part numbers below:

2008:
48510-80456, Strut, Right - ES350. Right. To 08/2009.
48520-80199 Strut, Left - ES350. Left. To 08/2009.
Coil Spring 48131-33B40 Spring, Left ES350.

Coil Spring48131-33B40 Spring, Right, ES350.

https://parts.autonationtoyotasoutha...ion-components

2009:
48510-80456 Strut, Right ES350. Right. To 08/2009.
48520-80199 Strut, Left ES350. Left. To 08/2009.
48131-33B40 Spring, Left ES350.
48131-33B40 Spring, Right ES350.
https://parts.autonationtoyotasoutha...ion-components

 

Just got an answer back, didn't think it would be this quick! https://www.kyb.com/about/kyb-globally/

Currently, we offer rear strut assemblies SR4402/SR4403 for the 2007-2012 Lexus ES350 and front strut assemblies SR4400/SR4401 for August 2009-2012 Lexus ES350. We do not list anything for the 2007-July 2009 Lexus ES350 because there is a date break in July 2009 where Toyota made a change to the front bare struts themselves. The OEM Toyota numbers prior to that date code match your given OEM numbers, but they are different from the OEM number after that date code.

Looking at the drawings and specs for these struts, the changes primarily focused on the damping specification (increased by about 20% for the later model years), and overall fitment and dimensions are similar, so it is likely you could use SR4400/SR4401 on your 2008 model. However, we have not tested these parts in this configuration and cannot confirm they will work as intended.

Just so you know, we are working on assemblies for the 2007-July 2009. They are in the prototype phase, so we are planning on them becoming available late this year to early next year.

Regarding your other question, we are OEM on several Toyota and Lexus models, but cannot confirm if we are for your specific application. If your OEM struts are KYB, they will have our logo stamped into the body of the strut itself, that would be the easiest way to check.

Regards,

Technical Support

KYB Americas Corporation

techsupport@kyb.com

 

Got a chance to look at struts, which I presume factories. The model numbers were hard to read, I think I have them correct, they are:

FRONT
A0948-44276 YD15F KYB

REAR
A0943-44277 YD15V KYB

They are in fact, KYB's

 

Thanks for following up. Are those strut numbers from your OEM struts?

I see Moog makes full assemblies for the front struts for this generation ES350 but I have no prior experience with them so can't comment.

 

Yes, those are factory shocks I'm discussing. Bought the car with 60K on it, so I doubt they were changed prior to my purchase. They have factory paint markings on them, same colors as springs, so its 99.5% chance they are factory. Will put up some photos when I get a chance. I've been pretty impressed with Moog suspension parts like control arms and such. no experience with shocks.