GrandSedanFan

iTrader: (1)

Now that we have 8 years of data to draw from, I thought it might be a good idea to try to collate all of our anecdotal knowledge on our AVS Shocks. The handling was a major factor in buying a GS.

1. Model year and mileage of your car
2. Shocks blown?
2a. If so, at what mileage?
2b. How did you find out they were blown (oil on the shock body during service or degradation in ride quality/control)?
2c. Which shocks blew (front, rear, or both)?
3. Lowering springs?
3a. If so, mileage when you installed them?

I'll start.
1. 2018 F-Sport AWD, 35000 miles
2. Hope not. No indication yet. Car goes in for service early next month.
3. No lowering springs.

00goobs

Lowered and noticed a difference in handling about 5k miles after lowering. All 4 shocks were leaking at the valve. 120k when lowered. Before lowering, the shocks were not leaking and the handling was great.

kietlander

1. 2015 GS350 F sport
2. Shocks blown? Yes
2a. If so, at what mileage? 70k
2b. How did you find out they were blown (oil on the shock body during service or degradation in ride quality/control)? oil on shock body
2c. Which shocks blew (front, rear, or both)? Left Rear
3. Lowering springs? Stock
3a. If so, mileage when you installed them?

peteharvey

1. 2015 GS350 Luxury.
2. Shocks blown? Yes
2a. If so, at what mileage? 50k
2b. How did you find out they were blown (oil on the shock body during service or degradation in ride quality/control)?
Occasional bottoming out of rear suspension and clunking noise, plus oil and grime adhered to shock body.
2c. Which shocks blew (front, rear, or both)? Right Rear
3. Lowering springs? Stock
3a. If so, mileage when you installed them? NA

NB
Keep in mind that the firmer the shock absorbers, the smaller the valving and the higher the internal pressures, hence the faster the degradation of the oil/gas seals, and the shorter the life span.
Hence a shorter life expectancy for 4GS shock absorbers is normal, and NOT due to KYB supplier poor quality control.
It's the same as fitting firmer coil springs, but also expecting more creaks and rattles from the body.

Cwang

1. MY2012 Fsport
2. Yep
2a. Rear at 130000km, fronts at 140000km
2b. Rears made an awful sound, ride uncomfortable, fronts poor ride
2c. Both
3. No

To be fair I drove like a maniac(new tyres every year etc) so I wasn't expecting a full life, happy to replace them every 100000kms.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

1. 2013 Lexus GS 450h
116,000 miles
2. No blown shocks, no leaks, ride quality is excellent.
3. No lowering springs, stock suspension.

Niralsp88

1. 2015 GS350 F sport
2. Shocks blown? Yes
2a. If so, at what mileage? 65k
2b. How did you find out they were blown (oil on the shock body during service or degradation in ride quality/control)? oil on shock body
2c. Which shocks blew (front, rear, or both)? Left/Right Rear
3. Lowering springs? Stock
3a. If so, mileage when you installed them? N/A

Total cost of repairs covered under warranty.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

1. 2013 GS350 Luxury.
2. Shocks blown? Yes
2a. If so, at what mileage? 37k
2b. How did you find out they were blown (oil on the shock body shown at Lexus service shop.? Notice it was diving on brakes a bit 1 side.
2c. Which shocks blew (front, rear, or both)? Front right leaking 2 rears leaking Drivers side rear leaking the most.
3. Lowering springs? NO Stock AVS
Replaced at 38k with AVS compatible KYB gas-adjust-struts all 4.
Purchased out of pocket 4 Struts from Amazon - Labor done at Toyota dealer paid out of pocket.

Good thread Lexus denies there is a problem. Had many other Lexus up to 150k never a Strut problem before ever!

Also don't say no problem if you have not had on a lift for inspection please.

Im2bz2p345

+1 Ditto, but my mileage is less than half of peasodos. She's basically a garage queen now that I'm working remotely.. kinda sad :P

~ im2bz2p345

jkeller

2014 lux package 62k avs no issues.

GrandSedanFan

iTrader: (1)

This is great info everyone. Thank you. Anecdotally, it appears that rear shocks are first to go, and that we should expect these to be 50-60k service life parts.


Does the KYB dampening match the factory shocks? How many miles do you have on them now?

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Yes they are the OEM Lexus supplier of the Struts. About 4k now.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ek-review.html

703

2012 GS450h with AVS. One front shock started leaking at 54k miles. No change to handling.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Interesting how almost everyone else has blow their shocks at one point and our 450h's are heavier cars with no issue. I drive the car in normal mode 97% of the time, rarely use Sport +

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Based on the data based I understand there are like 5 variations of the Struts for the GS I think. Does the 450h from the factory come with the same struts as the GS350?