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To replace struts, or not to replace struts? That is the question
Hello all,
My 2004 LS430 has 155,000 miles on it currently, but the struts feel generally ok. I don't think they've ever been replaced but I'm not certain. The car does bottom out on the driveway at times, and its slightly bouncy going over bumps but nothing too bad.
I noticed that KYB is having a rebate promotion right now for Excel-G struts. Its a $50 rebate if I buy four struts which I think is a decent deal. Also, RockAuto has a storewide 5% discount going on right now. These discounts bring my price down by about $70 total. (from $378.32 to $309.56)
Questions:
Is it worth it to buy new struts if the ones I have feel ok? Do KYB struts feel similar to OEM on this particular car? Any cheaper reliable options you recommend? Also, if I buy these struts and let them sit on my shelf in my garage for a while will they "expire"?
Thanks!
Last edited by westopill; Sep 10, 2019 at 11:49 AM.
I just replaced min at 126k. I went with OEM Sport struts as opposed to the KYBs. They are more money, but not that much considering that you'll keep them forever and they were made for our car. Additionally, they feel great and have definitely made the steering feel tighter, and the dampening over small/medium bumps is ultra smooth.
I just replaced min at 126k. I went with OEM Sport struts as opposed to the KYBs. They are more money, but not that much considering that you'll keep them forever and they were made for our car. Additionally, they feel great and have definitely made the steering feel tighter, and the dampening over small/medium bumps is ultra smooth.
How much did you pay for shipping though? Last time I looked at OEM struts online shpping was over $300..
[Edit:] nevermind, looks like shipping is only about $42.. thats actually not too bad. I'll look into this. Do the sport struts feel rough? I'm not looking for rough Honda like suspension.
Last edited by westopill; Sep 10, 2019 at 11:21 AM.
I'd go OEM. I replaced my fronts with OEM around 125,000 miles when one of them started leaking. It's made specifically for our car for a reason...... to get the comfy ride. In addition, it's a good idea to have the same brand struts all around.
Shipping was about $50 for my order. They feel great to me, and I'm pretty picky. I just wanted to firm up the great ride a bit, but not fundamentally alter it.
I'd go OEM. I replaced my fronts with OEM around 125,000 miles when one of them started leaking. It's made specifically for our car for a reason...... to get the comfy ride. In addition, it's a good idea to have the same brand struts all around.
I would order KYB's all around so they would all be the same. I want to go OEM but its out of my budget.. Looks like it would be at least $703, and its hard to justify spending that much. The KYB's are 56% cheaper and should match the OEM ride quality as they are made in Japan.
I was exactly in your position a year ago. My mechanic check the struts and none of them or leaking and he told me they were fine and not to change them. I drove on the car for another year and finally decided that if I'm going to keep the car I might as well enjoy them so I put on for new OEM shocks.
On removal only one shock was slightly leaking the other four appeared fine visually. With the new shocks it's like a new car again. I wish I had done it sooner.
Just priced out OEM and it looks like it'd be almost exactly the same price as RockAuto from LexusPartsNow... Looks like I'll be getting OEM after all.
Just priced out OEM and it looks like it'd be almost exactly the same price as RockAuto from LexusPartsNow... Looks like I'll be getting OEM after all.
Please double-check the parts numbers as the struts listed, by gmoney, above are for 01 to 03 430's. This is admittedly a bit of a rabbit hole but Lexuspartsnow is the only site showing that part number as a valid fit for 04 to 06 cars. If you begin the search with the year of the car, not searching specifically for 48510-80307, you will come up with 48510-80131 which is $247 ea. at Lexuspartnow. 48510-80307 may work just fine and it's obviously cheaper but you might want to call a dealer to verify with your VIN. It seems odd that almost every site shows this part number as 01 to 03 EXCEPT Lexuspartsnow.
Please double-check the parts numbers as the struts listed, by gmoney, above are for 01 to 03 430's. This is admittedly a bit of a rabbit hole but Lexuspartsnow is the only site showing that part number as a valid fit for 04 to 06 cars. If you begin the search with the year of the car, not searching specifically for 48510-80307, you will come up with 48510-80131 which is $247 ea. at Lexuspartnow. 48510-83307 may work just fine and it's obviously cheaper but you might want to call a dealer to verify with your VIN. It seems odd that almost every site shows this part number as 01 to 03 EXCEPT Lexuspartsnow.
It seems you have confirmed my suspicion. I was wondering why lexuspartsnow was the only parts site advertising these struts as correct fitment in 2004-2006. I've heard some mixed reviews of lexuspartsnow compared to other sites like mylparts, which is an official licensed club lexus dealer.
It seems you have confirmed my suspicion. I was wondering why lexuspartsnow was the only parts site advertising these struts as correct fitment in 2004-2006. I've heard some mixed reviews of lexuspartsnow compared to other sites like mylparts, which is an official licensed club lexus dealer.
Yeah I wasn't necessarily slinging mud at Lexuspartsnow but there's been a common thought around the forum that Sport Suspension struts are somehow cheaper. I have never found this to be true except in the example I've explained above. I'm still very curious as I'd jump at the chance to spend $160 ea for front struts...
To replace struts, or not to replace struts? That is the question
