Ok, I'm going to show my ignorance on this one and I need your advise.

I have - as you can see, an '05 LS Sport and an '02 LS Sport and love both cars for the ride and handling characteristics and of course for many other reasons. The '02 has 17" wheels and has 83K on the clock and the '05 has 18's and 59K on the clock. The handling is much tighter on the '05 and I like it that way. I don't push these cars at all but I like the confidence these suspensions give me if I have to make an emergency manuver.
Now here's my question...when I have the cars parked in the garage and push up and down on the front fender of each, the '05 stops immediately and the '02 does a little shimmy. And, if I lean up against the car from the front side and try to shake them, the 02 takes a bit of time to settle down and the 05 stops right away. So, is this a sign that the shocks/struts are gone on the '02 and I have to replace them or what? Also, are shocks and struts the same thing? I hear more folks talking about struts than I do shocks for these cars.
Thanks guys.

 

Shocks and struts for LS mean the samething. Looks like your 02 shocks have had some wear on them. But not really means you have to change them right away. Drive your 02 through some speed bumps, and try to hear if there is any noise coming from the shocks.
Also, How is the ride changed from what you can remember before?
Look at your tires, do they have uneven wears? it could be a sign of bad shocks.

Or just change them for your peace of mind, they are not really expensive.
Lexus shock are usually good for 100K depends on how you drive it.

 

Garry,

A strut is just a shock with a spring purch on it for the spring to sit on, they are the same thing



Like blacksc400 said, the struts on your 02' is just more worn out then your 05', struts loses resistance over mileage. The only way to make your 02' feels tight again is to put in some new struts. I just bought a set, they are about $175 each wholesale.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. Now at least I know what to look for in this and why its happening.
BNR34, I know you are converting your suspension but want to ask you if the shocks you just got are for the sport suspension specifically that cost you $175 each wholesale?? or are they the standard ones on the non sport suspension? Did you get them from Carson Toyota??

 

I got the firmer shocks specifically for the sport suspension.

This is the LS430 I always wanted, an UL with the OEM sport suspension. I want all the gadgets on the UL, with the sporty reliable sport suspension, I want it all

I got them from Lexus parts world:

http://www.lexuspartsworld.com/Scripts/default.asp

 

Thanks very much!!

 

You are welcome