to all:
i hope i have the right forum addressed someone re-direct if i screwed this part up and accept my apology, first time user....
i think i need to replace my front struts. is there a simple test i can perform to verify? I've had all by ball joints replaced in the last two years so i suspect my struts are guilty of producing noises while traversing over speed bumps.

if they need replacing is this something i can do in my garage? i very well tooled up. i don't have special Lexus tools if they are needed to replace the front struts.

is there a particular brand of strut that is a good value for the buck?

any and all advice welcome.
Chris

 

I just did this job recently. Not too hard at all Get the KYB strut and strut mount from Rockauto. While you are at it do upper controls arms since you have to have to remove unhook the upper control arm from the knuckle to get the strut out. Also do the sway bar end links if they are original. A bad end link can sound like a blown strut. I would recommend getting the greaseable end links

If you just need the struts replaced then I would recommend taking the whole assembly out and have a shop reassemble them for you. Those rental spring compressors clamps got a little squirrelly on me. The LS460 has a long spring. I paid a shop $75 (my discount) total do them. If you can bounce the car up and down fairly easily then the struts are worn. I was barely able to bounce the front with the new struts on. Huge difference in reaction time over bumps.

 

I bought these a year and a half ago: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Set-of-S...ef9e384&_uhb=1

They've performed well and I've put a lot of miles on them. I had my local shop install them along with an identical set of rears.