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How do I check to see if struts need to be replaced? I do not have air ride but the rear seems to be sitting low. Only had car for a couple of months. Is there somewhere to find the clearance distance or another way of checking?
Go by age or if there are any signs of oil leakage due to failing seals.
One of my rear struts was leaking oil when I got it due to a failed seal. Car only had 77k on it at the time. Replaced both rears. Fronts are still fine at 85k now, though I will be replacing them at the end of the year. If you search, there is great write up on the forum for doing the fronts and the rears. If you're mechanically inclined, it's doable. The rears are move involved due to having to remove the seats for access to the top bolts. KYB shocks are about $100 a piece...
Last edited by Romanova; Jun 27, 2020 at 02:28 PM.
Shocks in general do not change body/ride height as they age or become worn out. Ride height is determined by the springs and not the shocks. The shock is there to dampen and control movement of the springs being compressed by irregularities in road surface or body roll in turns. It is possible for springs to wear out over time and start to sag lowering body height. Testing a shock requires you push down sharply (compressing each spring) and testing each corner of the car. A working shock will dampen and stop the motion of the spring rebounding almost immediately. A worn out shock will allow the car to move up and down a few times until the energy of the spring being compressed is dissipated.
Unless the shock is leaking, more than likely it should be fine. If you'd like to check as per Jabberwock's suggestion of pushing down sharply, it might require two people pushing at the same time as the suspension will be quite firm. Good luck.
The front fenders have more clearance to accommodate steering, and thus gives you the impression that the rear is sitting lower (less fender clearance). The best way to find out if your car is level is to measure ground clearance instead. Please take a look at Post #5 on the link below for more details. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...tire-wear.html
Last edited by rkw77080; Jun 27, 2020 at 06:24 PM.
Or the OP could just be seeing the typical LS430 rear squat...
I'm starting to wonder whether the coil springs on these cars have seen better days once the mileage gets up north of 125K or so. This is certainly true of 91-97 Land Cruisers. Both are heavy vehicles. I've been chasing down the harsh ride over road irregularities of my new to me 05 LS . I had an indy replace the lower control arm bushings, the struts, the strut mounts, the engine mounts, and tranny mounts, and I replaced the tires with Continentals with excellent reviews. That work improved the ride, but I still think the ride is unduly harsh over road irregularities. As noted, I'm beginning to suspect the springs.
If you haven't replaced every single part of the suspension on these cars you will need to at some point from age and wear. It is however normal for it to appear to sit higher up front vs the rear. Measure from the ground to the shock bolts to check actual height consistency with al tires filled properly
Go get a free alignment check. If the rear camber is out of range too negative, and about equal on both sides, most likely the springs have sagged. Lexus does sell different length control arms but the real fix is new springs. Mine does the same thing. I call it a “free” lowering kit, lol. Still rides fine but eats the inner edge of the tire over time.
If you haven't replaced every single part of the suspension on these cars you will need to at some point from age and wear. It is however normal for it to appear to sit higher up front vs the rear. Measure from the ground to the shock bolts to check actual height consistency with al tires filled properly
I don't disagree. My dearly departed MB E550, replaced by my 05 LS, ate bushings and motor mounts like candy.
What are your thoughts about after market (Moog, Beck Arnley) upper control arms and other suspension bits? I'm almost always an OEM guy, but, for instance, front upper control arms are $473.94 per side (discount price from Longo Lexus)?
I don't disagree. My dearly departed MB E550, replaced by my 05 LS, ate bushings and motor mounts like candy.
What are your thoughts about after market (Moog, Beck Arnley) upper control arms and other suspension bits? I'm almost always an OEM guy, but, for instance, front upper control arms are $473.94 per side (discount price from Longo Lexus)?
I used moog initially and switched to B&A after talking here about parts for the 430 specifically and how they (moog) don't make the best option for these cars.
I quite like the upper arms I'm using and compared to the 430 I've test driven and am buying come next week (65k mile 06) they are just as nice.
Struts -2005 LS
