SC400 Shock Replacement

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Apr 10, 2008 | 02:29 PM

SLEXC400

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From: Florida

SC400 Shock Replacement

Has anyone out their replaced the shocks on their SC300/400? I have a '94 SC400 with 210K miles and I have a couple of torn spring insulators (bellows) and a couple of the shocks leaking. According to the shop manual, the job looks straighforward enough, except for maybe using the spring compressor to actually remove the shock from the assembly. I plan on using KYB GR-2 shocks, as they appear to be the closest match to stock without the really high price. I'd like to know from the DIYers out there if there were any "gotchas" when they did this project as well as any other thoughts ...

Thanks in advance!

Apr 10, 2008 | 03:46 PM

Kaydee

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not too hard, much better with 2 persons, but i would never do it again ever

the front is harder than the rears i think (although other members may say otherwise). the front has a foot long bolt that is a ***** to remove, other than that simple enough

Apr 10, 2008 | 03:50 PM

mitsuguy

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From: AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaydee

a foot long???

I don't recall any that size front or rear...

there is a DIY listed here somewhere... it is quite easy... it can be done in about 2-2.5 hours and I didn't have anything special... spring compressor needed if reusing stock stuff, not needed for aftermarket springs...

Apr 10, 2008 | 03:58 PM

Kaydee

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well maybe i did exaggerate it a bit, but it is pretty long...it's the thing that's holding the upper control arms? don't remember, did this over a year ago and do not want to remember

Apr 10, 2008 | 04:19 PM

mitsuguy

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From: AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaydee

well maybe i did exaggerate it a bit, but it is pretty long...it's the thing that's holding the upper control arms? don't remember, did this over a year ago and do not want to remember

you don't have to remove the upper control arms to replace the shocks...

Apr 10, 2008 | 04:33 PM

GSteg

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From: CA

It's not that hard if you know what bolts to take out.

After doing it a few times, you just find shortcuts, if there is any. I use to take 4 hours for a coilover install on a 2nd gen GS when I first started out. Now I can cut it down to just a bit under an hour. No need to remove any control arm at all..

Apr 10, 2008 | 07:14 PM

SLEXC400

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From: Florida

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to check with my Lexus repair shop tomorrow to get prices for the the insulators and bumpers. I found the shocks for just under $60.00 each, which seems like a good price. I'm still looking for the best place to buy OEM parts. Lexuspartsonline.com was where I was looking to get the insulators and bumpers from, depending on the price I get from my local guy ...