2013 es 300h suspension rereplacement.....
 

Hi there,
anybody posted pics for suspension replacement ?


I do have some issue with leaking strut on front and dealer wants arm and leg to replace it..Talking about lot of $$$$.
Beside that anybody did research on what will be the best option for struts/coils/mouning plates/dust boot and sway bar link s?
I am slowly motivating my self to do this job with help of my friend who is not mechanic but like cars.
thanx in advance.

Here we go,I become motivated.
Data I got over internet.

ES300h. Camry LE
Stroke lenght (3956). 4.30. 4.75
Compressed lenght (107). 15.02. 15.02
Extended lenght (37). 19.30. 19.79
8352. NO. NO
Rebound STOP. YES. YES
Compressed Bump STOP. NO. NO
49. 14 x 1.50. 14 x 1.50

That was research on front struts for 2013 Lexus ES 300h compared with Camry LE 2012-2016

So I have decided to give try to Camry KYB STRUTS ONLY no quick strut.
.

First they are more cheaper than struts for Lexus and they will be lifting 1/4 inch I think all car ,and they have a bit longer travel lenght.I am planing to use same mounting plate and bracket and rubber seating .only problem is strut dust boot and bump stop .

Step one
I had to buy tools for compressing springs because I would like to use same again.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...890f3e8927.jpg
I think this will be ok with 22 mm bolt I will try to remove springs .THAT IS VERY DANGER STEP SO IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ,DONT DO IT.

Step 2
i did research of strut boot and between Monroe and KYB I decided to go with KYB SB-102 for the front.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...bfa7ebbd96.jpg
Here is instructions how to assemble it.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...ce91978315.jpg
Same idea is for front and for rear kit.REMBER YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT HERE BECAUSE ITS VERY TIGHT FIT .
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...adf71909bd.jpg
For the rear struts I picked again KYB but part number was different from front ones .Rear kit is KYB SB-104

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...fc9063cd80.jpg
Rear dust boot with bump stop installed.

Now you probably noticed that front struts and rear are different.that is correct ,because of bracket for abs,brake line and sway bar link.

So for the rear I did research too.this time was between 2013 Lexus ES300h and 2013 Camry SE


DefaultHere we go,I become motivated.
Data I got over internet.

ES300h. Camry SE
Stroke lenght (3956). 5.18. 4.88
Compressed lenght (107). 16.64. 16.66
Extended lenght (37). 21.82. 21.54
8352. NO. NO
Rebound STOP. YES. YES
Compressed Bump STOP. NO. NO
49. 14 x 1.50. 14 x 1.50

SO I HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH KYB STRUTS FOR CAMRY AT REAR TOO.

Now some not necessary stuff to do but I still did it.
this is regarding dust boots.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...edbca16179.jpg
Here is original look of KYB -102 boot for the front .I didn't like colour so I did some painting.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...1230af29db.jpg
I have used Plasti dip just for fun .I hope will not chip off ......lol

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...3f473376e2.jpg
I like it in red ,just for fun.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...84c7dfaf5a.jpg
See the difference.which one would you like ?
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...535d017d24.jpg
Painting done for the front ,next will be rear .I am thinking to paint even struts in red to be matching .I hope will look nice at the end.
Next step will be installation step by step.

I will post pics after we finish installation.

New update,
strut boot for the back KYB SB-104 will not work for me.Outside diameter is to big and I can't use to go inside the old boot ( upper portion).
After new research we found part KYB SB -101 for the rear and that one looks like will work .here is some pics of the new part number.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...c4909857b3.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...71bc057aa6.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0439bc7158.jpg

After that ,we did some painting and protecting of strut boots.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0bb20cb2f6.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...e39036ea23.jpg
Set of front struts boots (on the left ) and set of rear boots (on the right ).

Strata arrived....
 

Finally parts arrived so now we will see how Camry 2014 LE model will be sitting on Lexus 2013 es hybrid.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...6c1418ecb6.jpg
Kyb is oem strut anyway for Lexus but Price was different.saving about $120 per pair.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0149a23979.jpg
Here are part numbers originally for Camry but we will use it on Lexus.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...ca87ff9b90.jpg
Left and right shock.they have same mounting brackets for brake line ,abs sensor and stabilizer bar link as you can see.everything is same except part number and price. So will be much cheaper to go with Camry parts than Lexus .
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...9d902ba885.jpg
It came with instructions as well on two pages.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...ebe3172455.jpg

Installation step by step......
 

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...957401593a.jpg
Jack the front end remove tire and put tire under car just in case.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...c300de5b4b.jpg
We were using 2ton jack stands per side.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...e66c2b73be.jpg
First was swaybar link upper mount removed because that is usually hard to remove due to rust and Allan key. Inside damage .power gun was sufficient here to use in our case.worst case scenario if can't be removed just cut it out and install new link.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...53e5c97d30.jpg
After that we have removed with 12 mm socket brake line and ABS sensor wire .
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...b88686a882.jpg
After that use 10 mm socket to remove ABS sensor. NOTE.abs sensor can be stuck sometimes even if you remove 10 mm screw ,so use a lot of penetrating spray to make him loose.After that clean with soft cloth and brake cleaner and sensor .remember sensor is magnetic and it is used to count rev from wheel bearing if any strange object is attached to abs sensor you can have missreading and abs fault will display on dashboard and you will loose traction control option on the car.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...405b850ac0.jpg
As you can see mine was a bit dirty so I had to clean it up.

Next steps are bit heavy so get your buddy to help here.
 

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...7c4e2e2646.jpg
Support a little bit disk to make sure when you remove 2 bolts from the strut 22 mm each that CV shaft doesn't fall out from inner mount.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0f8f4ecede.jpg
We have used braker bar here to loose bolts.you can also use impact gun if you have ,because those bolts are tightned to 230 ft/llb.slowly wiggle strut out with respect to shaft .
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...7086c0bbec.jpg
Now next step is to loosen up bolts under hood.middle bolt is 19 mm and we used bracket bar just to loose it a bit.WARNING DO NOT REMOVE THIS NUT BECAUSE IF YOU DO ALL STRUT WILL DISMOUNT AND SPRING WILL POP OUT.IT CAN KILL YOU IF NOT CAREFULL.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...498e515527.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...ddad786ad9.jpg
Next step is to remove 3 nuts 14 mm each.we did remove 2 and last one just loose a bit .now when you remove last nut strut will fall down ,here you can ask for help ,extra set of hands is always good to have. Slowly remove strut out with paying attention to brake lines and wires from abs sensor.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...419cd58ede.jpg
This is old strut from es 300 h we just remove.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0ac8e4a402.jpg
Now we compare new one painted in red and old one.THEY ARE INDENTICAL.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...d706b6db92.jpg
O yea we painted new struts into RED just for fun.

Rust protection ,and fancy look of kyb strut.
 

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...121664430c.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0c977d7a9d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...9435c0a678.jpg
Next step was modifications of new strut bellow and bump stop KYB sm102 has small diameter which will not fit in our strut so we just make hole bigger.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0b9fc0d18d.jpg
Just drill the hole.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...b34d8aab8e.jpg

This very danger step ,we suggesting to mechanic.
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...5aaa9e86dc.jpg
This step was the most danger part out of all we did here.So if you don't have good compression coil tool don't attempt ,just take it to closest garage and they will do it for you. SPRING CAN KILL YOU.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f8d8b80286.jpg
We started using only 2 compressors 180 deg separation ,but didn't work.After that we use 4 still didn't work ,so we couldn't remove mounting plate
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...31f8f521c5.jpg
After that we got other set which gave us more compression power and finally that step was completed. NOTE here that compression tool can slip from spring and it can brake so be very carefull.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f04211e168.jpg
Old strut after coil removal.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...1e79342af3.jpg
Bottom retainer for coil was cleaned and reused because it was in good shape.just mount on new strut with respect to indentation for end coil mark.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f497a338a5.jpg
Mounting plate was in good shape too so we have reused that one too.But of course we painted in Red lol,✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️👍👍👍

Very important step regarding bearing inside mounting plate
 

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f0dd6c4d37.jpg
We did open bearing to clean it and repack with bearing grease.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...354f207de5.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...54fbe9ef88.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...cdc4f5f139.jpg
After cleaning and painting mounting plate we have decided to use upper retaining plate too just cut some of rubber rings on the boot 😁
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...6518778b43.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...226c6bb6a2.jpg
Upper metal mounting plate which was between rubber retainer and bearing of mounting plate on top was also in good shape.So we reused that one too but didn't paint in red. NOTE HERE.pay attention to arrow on mounting plate ,that arrow will be pointing out and will be lined up with mounting bracket of the strut on bottom. Just take picture before you disassemble old strut in order to avoid trouble later on when you are putting all together
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...bf16508443.jpg
This is the arrow on mounting plate.dont disregard.Everityinh must be allign before you put strut back in the car . So spring should be allign correctly ,rubber retainers top and bottom ,upper mounting plate and upper mounting plate with bearing.