Struts
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 304
If you truly want to keep the Lexus Ride go OEM. Yes more expensive, but the ride will remain the same. No need to get the entire assembly. The shock and a few additional parts may be all that is needed, depending upon your mileage and condition of car. FYI... Lexus did my fronts, and if needed I'll have an independent do my rears when necessary.
Rookie
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 8
From: MA
This might be a dumb question, but is there an age/mileage where it would make sense to have a mechanic look over the suspension system as preventive maintenance? I have a 2006 with 130K that I got a month ago. It seems to ride pretty well but harsher than I expected of an LS. This is my first LS 430 so I don't have a good reference point. Is something worn or is that how it is supposed to be? I drove a 2022 ES350 for a couple of weeks and that had a nice compliant ride (a kind of ride that I had expected of LS 430), which made me wonder.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 304
This might be a dumb question, but is there an age/mileage where it would make sense to have a mechanic look over the suspension system as preventive maintenance? I have a 2006 with 130K that I got a month ago. It seems to ride pretty well but harsher than I expected of an LS. This is my first LS 430 so I don't have a good reference point. Is something worn or is that how it is supposed to be? I drove a 2022 ES350 for a couple of weeks and that had a nice compliant ride (a kind of ride that I had expected of LS 430), which made me wonder.
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 831
From: 565 St Peter NOLA
With 18” wheels there is a noticeable difference between V rated tires and W rated.
I installed Yokohama W rated when I bought my 06 in 2017 but a couple years ago, because of availability and timing, put 2 V rated on the front.
The front end suddenly felt loose in comparison so those 2 tires were phased out quickly.
Granted, the W rated tires might feel stiff to someone else…
Last edited by bradland; Jan 24, 2023 at 09:25 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 820
From: TX
This might be a dumb question, but is there an age/mileage where it would make sense to have a mechanic look over the suspension system as preventive maintenance? I have a 2006 with 130K that I got a month ago. It seems to ride pretty well but harsher than I expected of an LS. This is my first LS 430 so I don't have a good reference point. Is something worn or is that how it is supposed to be? I drove a 2022 ES350 for a couple of weeks and that had a nice compliant ride (a kind of ride that I had expected of LS 430), which made me wonder.
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Driver
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 70
Likes: 6
From: Victoria
KYB's... though I am finding that the price is going up and actually close to the OEM set 48510-80307 (Front) 48530-80241 (Rear). In that case, I would just fork out the slight extra for the OEM parts that I have listed. If you are doing a bit lowering, then the RS-R springs are the most preferred. If you are keeping it factory, reuse the original springs and put that money towards other parts like the ball-joints, transmission mounts/engine mounts, tie rods etc.
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Driver
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 70
Likes: 6
From: Victoria
The KYB struts that you see on RockAuto or most parts stores, are a more generic version with very minor tweaking. The KYB struts that came factory on a Lexus LS430 were tuned specifically for the car as requested by Toyota. They have different materials too, I believe.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 857
Likes: 71
From: State
well now , hold on the spark plugs that came on the car are not as good as the ones recommended today, and the tires that came on the car are not as good as the tires they sell today. maybe the shocks struts today are also better if you use synthetic oil, that is not OEM.
Last edited by JffGRY706; Jan 26, 2023 at 04:06 AM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 831
From: 565 St Peter NOLA
There's a big difference between OEM and OE.
Autozone (Duralast) sell "OEM" parts I wouldn't put on my car if they paid me...
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 623
Likes: 170
From: VA
Replacing 15-20 year old shocks is going to feel different, I don't think anyone can truly say "yes this is/is not exactly how the car rode when new" (particularly when most of us bought them used to begin with). The new KYB or whatever you use are always going to feel firmer than what you just took out. Couple that to that fact that the entire rest of the suspension including rubber, springs, etc are also 15-20 years old, trying to replicate the original ride is nigh impossible.
I don't think it matters where you get your struts as long as they are from a reputable brand.
I don't think it matters where you get your struts as long as they are from a reputable brand.
