Yep. When I said console, I meant rear arm rest. All just to get at the shock tower mounting bolts.

 

So I seee that could cost a grip of cash for non air suspension guys as well. I have never attempted this type of work, an I just may never. I think when the times comes, I'll do what I do best, and then pay someone to do what they do best.

 

Alldatadiy quotes it as 4.6 hrs to do both rear shocks. It's not a difficult job.....just time consuming. The fronts are technically more involved but labour is only 3.5 hrs.

 

1) As I noted, Suncore is out of business. Or, if they are in business, no one can contact them so that's pretty much the same as not being in business.

2) A strut that fails at 50K is a poor design. My 4 previous Lexus's all had struts and I drove them all to 90K+ miles and never had a problem. Same for my Honda Accord and all 3 of my company-issued Ford Tuaruses.

3) I can accept a strut needing replacement at 50K miles....but not when they cost $1000 each, plus labor. That's what is called 'gouging' or, if you speak Japanese, 'screwing the customer'. If the best Lexus can do is 50K on a strut, make them available for a few hundred bucks. They're not a complex item. Air bags are cheap and we see normal struts sold for $100 all day long.

 

http://www.suncoreindustries.com/SUN...uspension.html

Did you try to contact them? I'm sure they're in business they have an eBay listing.
All modern shocks go bad at a mileage that most consumers are not aware of. Anyone can drive on bad struts and not notice. This is a high-end car, if you're not willing to pay then it's better to get out of the game to something more affordable. There's a good reason why I didn't want the air suspension because I did my research before purchasing. When it comes time to replace my struts it's only going to run me $120 per side which is more than affordable. There's no refuse with the other brands that use air suspension.

 

God I do not look forward to doing this when the time comes.

 

And it looks like KYB is the only game in town if you want aftermarket.

Best price I found is $106 for the front and $116 for the rear (each) with free shipping.

KYB Gas-A-Just

 

I don't think it's aftermarket. My other Toyotas had KYB as the OEM manufacture of the struts.
I'm sure of you go to the dealer you can just quadruple those figures for the same cartridge.

 

Toyota / Lexus use KYB and Tokico as stock suspension.

 

On my 430, KYB is the OEM air manufacturer. One air-shock started leaking around 80k miles and was replaced. The other 3 have over 140k miles and are still fine.

 

By "aftermarket" I was referring to non-dealer item. As for Tokico, I tried them and they don't list any shocks for any Lexus product.

 

Some years ago, I verified with the vendor the KYB non air shocks sold at places like Tirerack are NOT OEMs. The specs are ever so slightly different. Most users feel that KYB shocks sold aftermarket felt slightly firmer and less "cushy." Whatever each person's preference may be, it was definitely not the same feel as OEMs. I also think selling something as OEM and something as OEM replacements have different legal meanings.

I have 240K miles on my car. Obviously I've been through various parts research..... I just want to make sure I understand everything about my next purchase which may be the 2012 LS which could be L version, Sport Pkg or the SWB plain jane version.

 

Right gotcha. It's good to know there is an aftermarket and plenty of salvage cross compatibility for this car.

 

On some cars I have noticed that KYB will sell two different versions of the shocks. One will be listed as some sort of slightly enhanced version. I have had other forum members for my other car purchased the better versions and noticed the same thing. The ones that purchased the regular KYBs felt they were exactly the same as what came with the car.

 

Correct. One is sold as "Excel-G" and the other as "Gas-A-Just", For my 2008, KYB only lists Gas-A-Just. I think some other model years use the Excel-G.