WCallahan

I am desperate for some guidance. I recently replaced all 4 struts on my 94 LS to Tokico. I went with Tokico after several opinions from many of you in the chat room. I was thinking the ride would be close to the original with just a slight more stiffness. Well, these are really bumpy and stiff. I also have a loud noise (as if something is bottoming out from both front strut areas) when going over a bump. I have had the suspension checked out and there appears to be nothing wrong with the system.

I replaced them with part #'s HU3704/3705. My car was mfg in 8/03 according to the sticker inside.

So, could the struts be bad? Should I have gone with the OEM for the smoothest and best of rides?

Any help and guidance/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

William

persian451

actually, KYB are the closest replacements to OEM if not better... Tokico Blues are for handling and performance.. I use KYB and it rides smooth even with 18in wheels

hyperopt

OEM struts are the best choice for Lexus smoothness and I would not trade 'em.

persian451

well of course they are good.. its what comes with the car.. however, for a car thats 10 years old.. it doesnt make sense to pay 100 - 200 per strut from the dealer, when u can pay 60-70 per strut aftermarket

Maeve

iTrader: (2)

The best setup I have ever tried would be OEM struts and Eibach springs. You would maintain the smoothness.

tvd51

Struts for 1st generation LS400 cost Can $75 each (about US $55) at my local Lexus dealer. Why bother with aftermarket unless you want to improve the handling.
Anyway, any idea about how long the stock struts last ? My car has 150K miles and the suspension is still OK.
tvd51

persian451

if you want a more reliable strut.. my opinion is aftermarket.. especialyl if u want to lower

WCallahan

Thanks for the help and guidance. No doubt, after riding in a friends' car with OEM replacements for struts, the ride is much like the original.

Definitely the way to go.

fyi, I just replaced mine finally at 150,000 miles. Unbelievable.

Rice

I just replaced all 4 with OEM. OEMs cost $45 from the dealer. The ride is smooth, but not much different from what I used to have before. I guess Lexus struts don't really go bad after 120K miles!!! Amazing...

Lvangundy

The popping/crack noise is from the strut/spring not being set or aligned perfectly.

I had this problem and had to have the strut/spring re-seated.

hyperopt

At 150K+ my OEM struts ride smoother than many newer cars, and at <$50 a pop they are a steal when compared to the aftermarkets. They outlasted the spring isolator towers. Now that's reliable!

tvd51

Rice,
Did you replace the coil springs as well ? They cost twice as much as the struts. I wonder if I should replace just the struts and keep the old coil springs ?
tvd51

Lexkost

First of all you are comparing new struts to 10 year old struts.........The new struts will soften up ....But the noise could be the spring is not seated right on the rubber mount........or you have some other worn out parts.

Rice

I only replaced the struts. Originally I wanted to replace the strut mounts as well, byt they cost arount $65 each. I never considered replacing springs because typically, springs will outlast the car when operated normally.

persian451

tokico is known for more handling and less comfort, KYB is known to be pretty close to OEM