Replacement for Shocks...KYB?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Did you ever figure out WHY the steering wheel was off, Thomas? I've explained it before so I won't bore you again with it, but whenever I found the wheel off from a curb hit or accident of any kind, I ALWAYS tried to determine where the damage was. If something is a little bent, that doesn't cause tremendous concern, But I want to know that it is only a minor bend (a curb hit is a tremendous amount of force on the steering parts) and not a FRACTURE, because I have seen them. Slight bend in the knuckle arm, no biggie because that is not likely to ever break, and it is a common damage in side force on the wheel. I actually built a universal fixture that would check a strut bend or knuckle arm bend very quickly and easily. There is nothing else on the market that will determine WHAT & WHERE the damage is that I know of. When you can't align a car like the RX (and many others), and there is only toe adjustment, you need to know where the damage actually is without just throwing parts at it. What if it still won't align after you have put all new parts on. This fixture will tell you exactly where it is (and if it's insurance, show them exactly where it is). I'm glad that it aligned perfectly after the curb hit. I actually found that those that are built with no C&C adjustment are generally quite rugged and even with age, they pretty well stay where they belong.
Oh and Lexmex, no chance of you relocating either right??.....
Last edited by lexus114; Jun 19, 2009 at 06:13 AM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
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From: Miami, Florida
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
I'm sure there was no concern if it was only a minor tie rod adjustment. It's when your wheel is off 25 degrees that I begin to get nervous about just doing an alignment. At that point you really need to find out what is damaged because fracturing is a real possibility. The conventional gearbox (recirculating ball) seem to me to be the ones you had to worry about the most. Rack and pinion seem to be pretty stout, though I've never quite figured out why. They are the ones I figured would be more fragile.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
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From: Ca.
: wiggle:
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
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From: Sacramento, California
I dont know Code58, Maybe we should both move, this state is really getting bad. Will lexus114 provide the property for a couple of houses? And maybe a giant shop building in between....
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Are they a name brand??
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 523
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From: ca
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 962
Likes: 28
From: Iowa
JAB, I've been thinking of tackling this one of these days. In the parts diagrams, I see a lower rubber "insulator" (cushion?) for front and rear struts and another insulator for the front strut which looks like a CV joint boot. I suppose I would probably replace the rubber bumpers. By replacing the "mounts," are you talking about the metal supports? Would you do the rubber/vinyl tubing over the bottom of the spring instead of or in addition to the rubber insulator? Sorry to pose all these questions, but this has been on my mind for awhile....
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by trhs75; Jul 5, 2009 at 08:56 PM. Reason: Clarity
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 22
From: Virginia
By 'mounts' I mean the KYB part numbers SM5175, SM5179, and SM5180 - go to TireRack.com for pictures. As for the tubing vs. insulator, I suspect it would be ill-advised to use both. LexMex favors the tubing, but I'm not convinced I will be able to find the right size and will probably use the KYB product - they are only $19 each.