Hello,

Wanted to hear your thoughts on OEM versus aftermarket axle assemblies for my GS350 2010. My L parts quotes the full assembly at $701 while I can get a SurTrack assembly off Parts Geek for ~$100. I had a hard time finding reviews (negative/positive) for the the SurTrack. I am not specifically set on SurTrack - they just seemed to be the TOP 2 on partsgeek's site.

https://www.mylparts.com/v-2010-lexu...nd-front-axles
https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20..._assembly.html

 

OEM is good, but I used Cordone to save some bucks as I read at the time they were the best because they rebuild older oem cv and use a premium boot. So far no issues! I have about a year on them

Btw I would try to avoid replacing that passenger cv axles on awd, they are a super pain in the but to remove. Many have resorted to building special tools to get them to pry off, spending many hours on them.

Check out rockauto.com prices that where I purchased mine

 

I see now cordone offers brand new and a remanufactured, the reman cost more thats what I chose as your getting oem axles. Who knows what type of axle steel strength the new ones have.

 

FEQ is superior to Cardone, I've had good luck with FEQ axles. Attempted install of a Cardone recently it caused the hub to lock wasn't machined properly.

 

Speaking of OEM parts, how do you guys feel about suspension, shocks and such? I want my GS to ride like it was new and I know it will cost me a few bucks but I willing to pay if the parts are superior over aftermarket.

 

Can't beat OEM struts, everything else will be too firm, too sloppy, won't last or a combination.

 

Do you have a preferred supplier?

 

The oem supplier is KYB, ive replaced all 4 struts with aftermarket KYB, and they are the same. Just ones silver and oem is black, but valving and everything is the same.

 

Sounds like you purchased a new axle from cardone, the one I purchased from them is an remanufactured so its oem steel, bearing, cage etc. More likely all they do is tear apart the oem joints slap grease and new boots. I had zero issues installing the reman cardone axles on my awd GS, so far its been a year.

Majority of the aftermarket axles, come from china. They use a steel thats not as strong as others. Many will crap out after a year or two

 

OEM and KYB are not the same, they are not valved the same or made to the same general specs. It doesn't matter if a particular OEM happens to make parts for Lexus and aftermarket that doesn't make them the same part. Lexus demands a certain spec from the OEM.
Cardone reman is even less reliable than their new stuff in my experience. You can get lucky with a reman, or they can be worn and useless right out of the box I've had this happen.

 

Actually many years ago I was skeptical about the kyb and whether to bite the bullet and go for oem. So I called a service tech at kyb, trying to compare and mentioned the lexus came oem with kyb, these aftermarkets are they any different? He said they are the same, I asked what about the valving stiffening etc. All the same!

My rear shocks, were actually good when I replaced them. I was chasing tire wear issues at the time. So I replaced them, thinking internally they were bad. When I put the kyb aftermarket beside the oem, its was the exact same. I compressed both, and it was the same pressure. Just one was black and the other was silver.

 

Kyb told me they are almost the same product. Both made in Japan in the same factory. The aftermarket ones compensate a bit for worn suspension. According to them quality is equal.
I've installed them, they are very good.

 

You compared a used strut to a new one.

 

They are the ones selling the product... How do you expect them to tell you the truth?

Nothing can beat OEM, especially Lexus OEM parts. And in regards to suspensions and axles, aftermarket is often trash.

 

Ya but they are the supplier for lexus, they make those OEM parts. Pretty sure that company isnt going to pay twice to change there tooling and r&d on strut internals.Also why would the tech suggest its the same, he doesnt benefit from the transaction. Everyones that has changed their struts to kyb hasnt complained they were different, only restored to oem ride.