Notices
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

Strut Replacement

Old Feb 7, 2016 | 01:39 PM
  #61  
semar's Avatar
semar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 14
From: British Columbia
Default

@ 49
I have the Bilsteins now for several months
I am very satisfied with them. Car feels more planted. No spongy, mushy ride. It now corners flat - the beafier rear sway bar might have something to do with it - The ride is quiet and not jarry. The feel is - solid might be the expression.
I do not have the privilege to compare various springs/struts set ups like the Tanabe, Monroe, Strutmaster, BC racing, etc. I just went with a system I was familiar with from the BMWs I had before and they came through with the same feeling on the LS. I never had a problem with Bilsteins over the decades
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2016 | 02:10 PM
  #62  
ryanSC300lover's Avatar
ryanSC300lover
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 94
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by semar
@ 49
I have the Bilsteins now for several months
I am very satisfied with them. Car feels more planted. No spongy, mushy ride. It now corners flat - the beafier rear sway bar might have something to do with it - The ride is quiet and not jarry. The feel is - solid might be the expression.
I do not have the privilege to compare various springs/struts set ups like the Tanabe, Monroe, Strutmaster, BC racing, etc. I just went with a system I was familiar with from the BMWs I had before and they came through with the same feeling on the LS. I never had a problem with Bilsteins over the decades
Do you have part number and cost ?

Do you have oem springs on it ?

Is the ride lot worse than oem or just more planted ?

I have had bilstein on my sports cars over the years and the have been great
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2016 | 09:21 PM
  #63  
semar's Avatar
semar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 14
From: British Columbia
Default

The Bilsteins I have are coilovers, the springs are integrated in the shocks, that is they come as one unit and are matched specifically for the car.
The springrate matches the weight of the car, suspension travel etc.
The system is DESIGNED for the car not just a fit-for-all
the part nr. is: Bilstein B14, 47-086401. This is the part nr for a 2001 Lexus Ls 430 .
Cost was US 1050, free shipping. The supplier told me it is a special.
Each B14 is made car specific; it is imperative you check the exact year and model.
I changed from air to coilover. The air felt too mushy for me.
I also left a two-finger gap between the top of tires and fender. This allows me to get a hosenozzle to clean the wheelwells. The tiresize remained 17"; the Lumaraii Morro wheels with its 5-star design also helps keeping the wheels clean

Last edited by semar; Feb 7, 2016 at 09:26 PM. Reason: additional info
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2016 | 09:53 PM
  #64  
ryanSC300lover's Avatar
ryanSC300lover
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 94
From: CA
Default

^
Thank you

I see online prices in the $1400 range for the bilstein coilovers you mentioned

I am not sure what the stock finger gap is
I will have to check
I have the oem 18

Would it be possible to share your supplier ?


Just checked
4 finger gap front
3 finger gap rear

Last edited by ryanSC300lover; Feb 7, 2016 at 10:01 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2016 | 10:13 AM
  #65  
semar's Avatar
semar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 14
From: British Columbia
Default

Prices for Bilstein coilovers are varying. I saw them as high as 1700.
The supplier was THMotorsports


As I mentioned before I got a deal on them. Since they are car specific it could be they wanted to clear stock.
You probably noticed that the gap between the top of the tire and the fenderlip is quite large in stock setting.
The Bilstein coilovers allow you to lower the car up to 2". This would set the car just about to the top of the tires and would not allow you to get anything into the wheelwells to clean. Dirt would accumulate; in rainy weather it becomes mud that does not dry out fast enough leading eventually to rust situations especially around the fender lips.
It might look "cool" but is not practical. That is why I left the gap large enough to get the waterhosenozzle in.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2016 | 10:31 AM
  #66  
ryanSC300lover's Avatar
ryanSC300lover
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 94
From: CA
Default

Your car looks great !!!
Do you have a full side shot ?

I will contact your vendor
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2016 | 01:49 PM
  #67  
semar's Avatar
semar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 14
From: British Columbia
Default

sorry, no other pictures yet,
we had such lousy weather already since weeks.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2016 | 10:49 AM
  #68  
Pimp7997's Avatar
Pimp7997
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

Hello all first post on the board. I need to replace the rear shocks on my 2004 LS. The OEM part number is 48530-59845 with a price of $198. I found some on Ebay for a 2001 to 2006 LS that are OEM with part number 48530-80130 for $128. Is there a difference between 2001and 2004 base suspension? Really appreciate any info.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)

 Brett Foote
story-4

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 3, 2016 | 10:59 AM
  #69  
JffGRY706's Avatar
JffGRY706
Instructor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 857
Likes: 71
From: State
Default

should be alright as long as you replace both. I believe you will find that you have the $198 shocks now. some people think they can feel a difference. the labor will cost you more than the shocks anyway.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2016 | 05:05 PM
  #70  
RRocket's Avatar
RRocket
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 91
From: Canada
Default

Originally Posted by semar
The Bilsteins I have are coilovers, the springs are integrated in the shocks, that is they come as one unit and are matched specifically for the car.
The springrate matches the weight of the car, suspension travel etc.
The system is DESIGNED for the car not just a fit-for-all
the part nr. is: Bilstein B14, 47-086401. This is the part nr for a 2001 Lexus Ls 430 .
Cost was US 1050, free shipping. The supplier told me it is a special.
Each B14 is made car specific; it is imperative you check the exact year and model.
I changed from air to coilover. The air felt too mushy for me.
I also left a two-finger gap between the top of tires and fender. This allows me to get a hosenozzle to clean the wheelwells. The tiresize remained 17"; the Lumaraii Morro wheels with its 5-star design also helps keeping the wheels clean
Did this also come complete with mounts, bushings, etc...everything needed for the install?
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2016 | 06:33 PM
  #71  
semar's Avatar
semar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 14
From: British Columbia
Default

The cost from THMotorsports was for the B14s only
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2016 | 07:12 PM
  #72  
RRocket's Avatar
RRocket
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 91
From: Canada
Default

Originally Posted by semar
The cost from THMotorsports was for the B14s only
Any idea how must the rest of the stuff cost you?
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2016 | 09:36 PM
  #73  
semar's Avatar
semar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 14
From: British Columbia
Default

I have the amount only in C$ at the moment, I could dig into my files to find the US$
All were bought from RockAuto, mostly Moog parts.
Are you converting from air? If not, you have all the mounting hardware already
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2016 | 07:54 AM
  #74  
notwealthy's Avatar
notwealthy
Driver
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: WA
Default

Originally Posted by semar
I have the amount only in C$ at the moment, I could dig into my files to find the US$
All were bought from RockAuto, mostly Moog parts.
Are you converting from air? If not, you have all the mounting hardware already
Are you up in Vancouver? I'm in Bellingham, WA. It would be cool if a PNW lexus meet-up happened this summer haha.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2016 | 12:26 PM
  #75  
semar's Avatar
semar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 14
From: British Columbia
Default

Yes, in Tsawwassen.
We go to Bellingham to get gas and groceries.
Maybe can meet up on a weekend
PM me with contact
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:55 PM.

story-0
Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time

Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-15 16:53:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???

Slideshow: a quick review of the 2026 Lexus NX 350h F Sport Handling

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-15 15:25:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Lexus daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 11:14:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)

These five Lexus and Toyota models are the most sought-after on the market right now.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 10:47:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-6
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE