1998 LS400

The other day i noticed that my Drivers side rear suspension was a bit lower than my passenger side. After taking a measurement the drivers side rear sits 1 inch lower than the opposite side. SO im assuming its its either a worn spring or a bad strut. Was wondering if there is anything else in the rear suspension that could be causing this. If i do decide to replace both struts in the rear any idea how much this should cost ??? Curious as to what others have paid to have them replaced. Just trying to get a ballpark figure. I called a local independent lexus repair shop and they quoted me around $1100 for the job. Does that sound right ? Im located in Northern Virginia.

I used the search feature on the site but did not have any luck getting prices for this job.

thanks

 

If your car is riding lower than normal, unless you have a flat tire lol it's probably the struts. The springs usually don't go bad for a very long time, so they should still be good. And many shops should be able to change the struts for you for about $50 a corner for labor. You just buy the strut or see what they can get for you. You can come out well under $1100 if you want to.

it's also worth noting that you should at least change both the front struts at the same time. Changing one strut at a time can cause some weird balance issues that you don't want.

 

1.You can buy them online at the dealer and they are about $231 x2 plus shipping and find a indie mechanic to install like nishy suggested.
http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19107

2. Or buy the aftermarket KYB Excel series $83 x 2 and free shipping for the closest Lexus like ride. By the way KYB is the manufacturer of the OEM struts.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=1998

 

Thanks for the Replies

IS there any way to rule out the spring being bad? I would hate to go through the trouble of replacing the struts just to find out the spring is bad. Even though it sounds like that is unlikely.

BTW the car has 155K miles on it. Original non-air suspension.

 

Unlikely the spring, check for corrosion damage on the spring and mount.

 

Just doing a quick search on ebay and i found a set of 4 for around $100. What is the difference between say these on ebay and the KYB's in option two above. Im assuming the ride quality will be different, if so how much different.

Ebay Version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Full-Set...35d44e&vxp=mtr

 

The extra cost for rear is the interior or at least the rear seat has to come out. Shops have to charge more because they have to guarantee their work. You can go in and say just do the job and I'll sign a paper saying there is no guarantee then they would do it cheaper. That means if they rip the seat or scrape off some paint in the process you just live with it. That is the price of cheaper labor. So every one that pooo's at what looks like a huge price on any shop repair, needs to be a shop and see what its like.

 

the off brand ebay shocks are crap. it's like the 99cent menu at McBurgerson vs. a Steak from a nice restaurant. KYB is the same manufacturer as the OEM part for toyota, and the KYB shocks sold to the aftermarket are arguably the same item minus the etched toyota part number.


that said, '95-00 LS400s general have a 1/4-3/4" lean towards the drive side regardless. If the front leans the same amount, and the handling/bounce test are alright, you don't need to replace the shocks just yet.