What were the syptoms that prompted you to change the rear strutts? I just had the front strutt bushings and lower control arms replaced to fix the shaking at high speeds and the clunking when I turned or braked. It still has the road noise but has helped. Problem I am still having is car is all over the road in the wind...any ideas?

thanks!

 

Bad struts can cause that too. Mine i think are all original or very close. Mine sways some on good cross winds. I had my control arms and bushings done too. Considering mine is a 92 with 209k it still does very well.

Struts will be next. KYB for sure.

 

Shocks/struts do not support the weight of the vehicle, they ABSORB the road SHOCK (hence the name shock absorber) from bumps in the road. Springs support the weight of the vehicle and only springs can affect the ride height. Shocks/struts will not change the alignment geometry unless you mess it up during the instal.

 

on a gas charged shock, yes it does make a difference acts as a small bump in spring rate that unless the shock completely or close to completely fails will not make a noticeable difference in height.

 

Both are right. A little more specifically, the gas-charged force is around 20 pounds (maybe it goes from 10 at full extension to 30 at full compression - I forget, but remember it was around 20 pounds). I measured these forces on my KYBs using a bathroom scale before installing on my '91. I phoned KYB and there is no spec on this number, so you may not find it written down anywhere. This is a small force, but it will slightly change the ride height. If the original struts have no gas-charged force left (gas all leaked out over time) you can see how much the extra 20 pounds upward force will affect the height by simply pulling up on the wheel well by about that much force and seeing how much the car moves (it will move).

I think one out of the 4 original struts I replaced at around 170k miles had virtually no gas-charged force left. In general, the originals all seemed pretty good. Maybe I replaced them too soon. I did not align the car afterwards.

 

So if you just had an alignment than you replace shocks good chance you dont have to realign them again?

 

See how it drives and keep an eye on the tires for feathering. Check the height before and after the shock install and see how much it changed. I changed my shocks but I did not align the car. But the gas was still in my old shocks.

 

Guys,

I have about 170K on my LS400 and am going to replace the struts with the KYB's. Are the GR-2's close to the stock ride? Also, should I replace the strut mounts at the same time, and should I add the strut boots as well? I am guessing yes to both. Any suggestions on where to order off the internet?

Thanks for the input!

 

yes yes and yes, try rockauto.com

 

Please don't do it.

I replaced my stock struts with KYB GR-2's and I have regretted it about 60 days after they were installed. You will not know you are riding in a Lexus. The ride is harsh and bouncy.

I trust you will feel the same as I did - not right away, but about 60 days into it.

Stick with Stock.

 

the GR-2s are pretty much the same as the OEM shocks, there is only a minimal valving difference between them and the stock shocks (both are made by KYB) to compensate for aged suspension bushings (MAKING THEM SOFTER!!) if what you say is true sounds like something else is at fault...

 

Thanks for the writeup! doing coilovers right now, quite useful!

 

Tire pressure makes a big difference as to how you will feel in the car. I just had 4 KYBs installed. My first impression of the KYB was the same as yours (sporty/bouncy and I didn't like it), but then I found out all 4 tires were at 38 lbs. I lower the tire pressure to 33 lbs and it made a big difference. I think I will lower them to 31 lbs later for an even smoother (stock) feel. In theory, I could even go down to 28/29 lbs. I have Michelin's, but I don't recall which one.

BTW, I will need tires soon, if I would like to stick with Michelin, which model should I buy for smooth/stock feel? (93 LS).

 

^ i recommend michelin tires whichever they offer at costco. they only have probably one or two at most models to chose from at your tire sizing. good price, filled with nitrogen, lifetime rotation, prorated warranty. best deal i've seen for stock michelins.

 

good wright up help me out parting my car