I have a '99 AWD and I posted about needing rear struts and mounts. I wrote to Sewell and they gave me these parts. The only thing I find odd is the description of the support assemblies (are these mounts?) have a little different description and the prices are a little different. Are these the correct parts? Also, I saw the links below for KYB Strut assemblies rear left and right on ebay for $85 each. Are these assemblies the same mechanisms as what Sewell is selling for $278.02? And if I bought these on ebay am I correct that I would still need Lexus mounts either from Sewell - the last two parts listed, or from my dealer? Hope you guys can follow all of this. Thanks for any help.

SHOCK ABSORBER, REAR STRUT (RH - RIGHT / PASSENGER SIDE) (AWD - ALL WHEEL DRIVE)
Part #: 4853049125
$278.02


SHOCK ABSORBER, REAR STRUT (LH - LEFT / DRIVER SIDE) (AWD - ALL WHEEL DRIVE)
Part #: 4854049065
$278.02


REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY (RH - RIGHT / PASSENGER SIDE)
Part #: 4875048010
$142.05


LH SUPPORT ASSEMBLY REAR SUSPENSION
Part #: 4876048010
$144.06

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251064018076...S:1123&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-Susp-Str...item3cc65c5d38

 

Thanks for you post. I'm trying to learn the same stuff. I think you are right that the $278 part is *supposed* to be the same as the ebay $85

And the $142 n 144 parts are the possibly the same as these ebay under $40 parts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MONROE-15900...00a869&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MONROE-15900...00a869&vxp=mtr

but

 

Nice find! At this point we both are looking for the same help. Other posters, however, agreed for unstated reasons that while KYB struts are fine, Toyota/Lexus mounts are vastly superior and essentially mandatory. Still, I would love to make this whole ebay purchase for $242. Talk about getting off cheap...

 

Go on Rock Auto.com and their parts system will answer everything.

 

Now I've got a question about the labor. It looks too me that there is nothing to removing the strut assembly from the top of the car. I pulled off the trim piece, and I believe the "carpet" is cut with three holes to allow the strut to be removed without any further disassembly. Is this true??

I don't think learning diy types should mess around with spring compressor because of the danger involved if an error is made, but I think the unit should be easy to get out of the vehicle. Y/N maybe

 

The struts if not ordered as an complete assembly will have to be dismantled from the spring requiring a spring removeal tool...I know they have complete sets with springs, but that is expensive.

 

You can't remove it from the top of the car. There are more bolts behind the wheel. They are attached to the hub.

You can remove the strut assembly and take it to a local shop for them to decompress the spring and attach the new strut and new strut mount.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...yb-gr-2-a.html

 

The shock absorber Sewell is selling is going to be different than the KYB part. KYB is the manufacture that makes the strut for Toyota/Lexus, but they are built to different specifications than what KYB sells currently.

The OE shock absorber is softer than what KYB sells now. So, correct KYB is the OEM, but the strut is different than OE.

I'd just buy KYB struts from either eBay, or some other online source that offers best pricing. But, for strut mounts stick with OEM.

KYB mounts tend to make more noise in my experience, and some can fail prematurely.

 

Thanks.
I should have been clearer, in my sedan, one has to remove the seats, to get at the top bolts. So this looks easy in comparison. I skipped over without stating. that there are also bolts at the bottom of the strut.

I am considering the idea to remove the struts myself, and take it and the new parts to a local shop as you suggest. Thanks.

 

You're welcome!

Ah, yes the bolts are easy to access in the RX.