Kozy

My wife is trying to convince me to have a shop replace my strut bars/bushings for me so I am not spending the time in the garage doing the work myself. I called an independent Lexus shop and they say $450-$500 for labor only assuming I provide the hardware. For a job that seems so simple, that price seems rather high. I couldn't imagine this would take more than 1 hour of work plus an alignment. Strangely, they didn't know what i was talking about when I said the "strut rods" needed replacing and I had to explain to them what the problem was. They were trying to tell me there's a different name for this part.

Do these labor costs seem normal for this type of job? Or could the indie be misunderstanding what I need done?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

For discussion sake here it has been strut bars and thinking of that I ponder if the title should be changed. Technically it is caster bars.

When mine were done the tech had both sides done and car aligned in about 45 minutes to an hour. Labor was $140 and alignment added $75.

Kozy

Ahh ok, that explains it then. The indie mechanic kept trying to tell me the part I was talking about is the "upper control arm - forward" which I kept explaining to him was wrong. Knowing that the technical term is "caster bar" should probably get a different quote from him for the work.

400fanboy

Anyone have a part number for these? Me and my shop have having difficulty sourcing these besides ebay listings.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

For the 95-00
Part# 4867440051

We've had a variety of threads over the years on availability, they may be only available as a whole unit with the bar. Not aware what the aftermarket may have.

400fanboy

Ok thanks. Used that Part # and called the dealership and I actually went ahead and ordered Lexus OEM parts because I don't trust the aftermarket ebay parts. I don't want to get a poly part that rides worse and is louder just to save a few bucks.

Also that part was just for the bushings themselves, but I ended up replacing the entire bar not just the bushings because you have to press them in and that's... tricky.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

It is efficient to swap the whole bar for the time savings. Two bars at $135 or cushions at $45 and labor to press those out and back in then install the bars.

We have the part# higher in the thread but will put them here for later readers with '95-00:
4866040021 right side
4867040011 left side

(*check for superseded par#'s since they change)

400fanboy

Those #'s match what Lexus gave me, excellent. Much appreciated for the help & backing up info.

Any idea what the labor charges should be? My shop quoted me at 3.6 hours to replace both front's. It was more than I expected since I see people getting $150-250 in labor charges (which I'm assuming is ballpark 2hr).

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Happy to help! Back when mine were done they have 2 hours labor including the alignment. Some other thoughts would be to check the tie rods end and lower ball joints. Making sure those lower pieces are good will save the tires and make the alignment an efficient expense. All to easy to spend big $ getting the suspension freshened.

OldLs400

I have a 98 LS400 and am planning on replacing the entire strut bars/rods since it's making the clunking noise.

Is it easy to DIY in a parking lot?

I just don't want to have my suspension disassembled and then find out that I can't DIY the job.

400fanboy

No idea if it's a DYI, I just paid a shop to do it. The part isn't connected by many things, but I don't know what you have to disassemble to do it.

Old bars had a few minor cracks, nothing huge, but were obviously original and 20 years old
Wheel\front end feels noticeably more planted\grounded\tight
Front end movement at ~5mph braking is gone
Overall braking feels much more direct, easier to modulate brakes
No more wheel wobble at 70-85mph (similar to if your wheel balance was off)

Really worth it, the whole front end of the car just gained new life and the difference is quite huge.

Sherl

Did you get bushing pressed or part replaced?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I had both of mine done yesterday 3/9 for 114.00+shop supplies. these were the ones I bought from Bradland for $150.00 used bars with new bushings.