!SPEED

My hood wouldn't stay open so I order a set of MAXPOW on eBay. Fit fine. Had to push down a little harder to close but thought that was good because my originals wouldn't hold the hood open. What I've now notice is they dimpled my hood on both sides. Too much pressure I guess. Since ordered an OEM set.

Called Sewell Lexus in Texas they wanted $133.62 each + $16.00 Shipping + Texas Tax. Told them that I was calling from Montana and they were being shipped to Montana AND Montana doesn't have a Sales Tax. Didn't matter. Plus Sewell USED to give Club Lexus members a discount...well that's gone too. Wasn't about to pay Texas sales tax, so said goodbye. Interesting fact though, they go by the last 8 digits of the cars VIN number and the right & left side strut have different part numbers?

Ended up taking everyone's advise and ordered Strong Arm struts from Amazon.

jmdav89

I had to replace my struts and used these aftermarket struts found on Amazon. They work good and no issues. At the time some comments on the forum were made about hood being difficult to close with some aftermarket struts. The Vapagoo struts don't require extra effort to close the hood.

Bocatrip

I’ve been using Strongarm for front hood and rear trunk fir many years of ownership They are warrantied and I have no problems.

Jabberwock

Same here. Strongarm seems like quality product.

Everyone owning an LS430 needs to periodically check and test your hood struts to see if they are holding up the hood properly.
The struts can partially fail unnoticed but when they do, the hood can drop very hard and with enough force to seriously hurt you if it comes down on your hand or head.

Test struts by raising hood and then gently pulling it down 3-4 inches - struts should continue to hold hood up before releasing.

430SLOwner

Sorry you had a bad experience which damaged your hood....
Bought a pair of QiMox Front Hood Bonnet Struts Lift Supports Shocks Qty (2) for Lexus LS430 on Amazon some months ago for $13.90 total for the pair and am satisfied with them and have had no issues....

Striker223

I use Armstrong for everything I work on, have installed literal hundreds with never a single issue or need to replace a old one.

430SLOwner

May that be StrongArm lift supports...?

Striker223

Yes those lol, damn phones thinking they know better......

jayclapp

I also recommend Strong Arm. Good quality and reliability at a good price.

rmawyer

Striker, same brand for trunk? I'm not sure what I used from Rock Auto for the 2002, but my 2006 feels like it's coming due.

Striker223

Yep, they are very strong though so be warned if you have a hatchback or SUV the tailgate comes up with force and can be hard to close

Johnhav430

I've installed 7 Stabilus/Sachs (huge a** sample size lol) and all were good. I have installed 4 Monroes and they are terrible. I like Stabilus because when you lift the hood of a $160k 760Li, you see the words, Stabilus. But best of all, they cost $10-$25 each. No more than Monroes. Put them on my BMW and my wife's GM. Next time on the LS430.

StanVanDam

I've had StrongArm hood lift supports for the past 2 years and FIGS Engineering trunk lift supports for the past 11 years. No issues, both are well-known reputable brands.

Trilkb

I think I used MaxPow and the trunk ones fit but I couldnt get the hood ones to fit for anything. Ive been running with out any, I just throw vice grips on the single worn out strut. Weight reduction yo.

!SPEED

Note!! Before replying here, I Bought a used set on eBay that came off a 2005 430LS Put one one and went to lift the hood to put the other one on and couldn't lift the Hood. Had some rust near the connection. Probably came off a flood car.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. May try the Strong Arm. First going to check with Sewell and see what they charge for the OEM.