Here are some pics and basic steps to replace an air strut on the rear of the LS. Mine is a '94 and as discussed on another thread, it developed an intermittent sag on the rear. It has about 88k miles on it.

The A/S ride is great, I don't regret having that option on the car; yes replacement struts are pricey compared to conventional units, with the help of ClubLexus, I was able to find a good deal at Carson Toyota, thanks Gordon!

As with the rest of the car, the A/S is very well engineered. I like the way I can lower the car just by adjusting the rods at each corner; and then a flip of the console switch picks up the car 0.75-1.00"! And the ride overall is unmatched, two firmness settings on the console fairly well meet the needs for all surfaces for a luxury car.

Replacement is fairly simple:

1. remove rear seat bottom
2. remove rear seat back
3. remove rear door sill and inner quarter trim, disconnect interior light switch
4. open trunk, remove trunk liner front wall, access to the air line
5. unscrew air line, caution car will drop as all the air in that corner will come out, caution to keep O rings in place
6. back inside, pull up rear package tray enough to access the top of the air strut
7. remove 3 nuts holding the top of the air strut cover
8. carefully remove the strut actuator motor, set aside - no need to disconnect any wires
9. loosen 3 main nuts holding the top of the strut to the car body
10. remove wheel and tire
11. remove large nut and bolt from the bottom of the air strut to the suspension members
12. remove nuts loosened in 9, strut is loose and unattached now
13. manually compress strut and remove it from car

reverse for application

 

View of trunk liner removed and air line disconnected, LH side of trunk and to LH rear air strut...

 

For information only, here is what the ride control valves look like on the right rear of the car, they modulate and distribute air from the compressor to each rear air strut...

 

This is a view under the rear package tray, showing the top of the air strut, the cover, and the strut actuator motor that controls dampening, etc...

 

This is a view of the old strut, in mounted position, and shows the bottom large nut and bolt to be removed, much like a conventional shock absorber at the bottom...

 

Here is a shot of the new air strut, the top shows the 2 rods controlled by the acuator. These rods must be aligned with the slots on the actuator before applying the actuator. Also shows the three main studs that fasten the top of the strut to the car body...

 

Final shot and it was a pretty easy job ....

 

I see a lot of posts on air suspension, total for both rear for me was about $820 ....

 

nice job with the posts. I'm sure it will help out a lot when others are trying to get the same thing accomplished. I have a question regarding the price. when you said the total was $820 for both the rear are you saying they were 410 a piece ? are they original lexus parts ? I'm curious since the lexus dealer is quoting 998 each !
thanks.

 

Yes real Lexus parts from Carson Toyota, ask for Gordon. I know, my local dealer quoted $604 ea or $1860 for the job installed!!

 

Excellent post. I'm glad you listed the instructions, it's seems pretty damn easy. Sooner or later I'm due for a a/s job in my front end, sometimes it drops to the floor overnight. I know you're one happy guy!

 

Thanks for the compliments, hope it helps someone out. Mine has been working great ever since!

 

What's the number to Carson Toyota. I need a left rear air shock ASAP!

 

I finally did my left rear air suspension!

Yes got it from Gordon @ Carson Toyota. The install was very easy.
The only difference with my '95 is I had to disconnect the air line from outside not the trunk.
Compared to the '94 & '95 the parts seem indentical.

 

i know your extremely happy about that oz...(i heard the complaints everyday before he did this repair )
excellent write up "gottahaveit2"-very informative!!!"........