Replace front strut mounts?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
Replace front strut mounts?
How would you tell if the front strut mounts are bad and need replacement?
By looking at diagrams it seems that a bearing replacement is all you would need when you need to refreshen the strut assembly. I'd rather keep the oem mount and rebuild it with a new bearing if it is salvagable. What other parts of the mount wear out besides the bearing?
By looking at diagrams it seems that a bearing replacement is all you would need when you need to refreshen the strut assembly. I'd rather keep the oem mount and rebuild it with a new bearing if it is salvagable. What other parts of the mount wear out besides the bearing?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
From Sewell, i found the following diagram.. Note the replacement OE bearing part#90903-63014
Its between a metal "sandwich" of the top hat and top spring cup. I'm asking if there is anything not expressed in the diagram which would wear out besides the bearing. If the cost works out, just pressing in a new bearing should be cheaper than getting new mounts.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
finally spring is here and planning to order parts to freshen up the suspension.
Can anyone confirm if the only wear item on the front strut mounts is the bearing pack? If so, I will order new Toyota bearings and get them pressed into my original OEM mounts.
Can anyone confirm if the only wear item on the front strut mounts is the bearing pack? If so, I will order new Toyota bearings and get them pressed into my original OEM mounts.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,603
Likes: 1,402
From: Austin, TX
Typically the shock springs a leak, the rubber boot gets torn, the bump stopper gets chewed. The top nut (with nylon lock) needs to be replaced and typically is included with the shock. The bearing can go bad but unlikely.
Also look at :
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...need-help.html
Salim
Also look at :
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...need-help.html
Salim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
KYB GR2 shocks are already on the order list. I'll make sure from whom i order from, new bump stops will be included.
@Salim. If the bearing is unlikely to go bad and i have no symptoms of grinding or clicking when steering up front, would it be safe to assume for my front only ..the boot and bump stop need replacing as you indicated..and I can just reuse my front strut tops?
@JAB good call on the swaybar links and bushings. I'll add them to the order.
@Salim. If the bearing is unlikely to go bad and i have no symptoms of grinding or clicking when steering up front, would it be safe to assume for my front only ..the boot and bump stop need replacing as you indicated..and I can just reuse my front strut tops?
@JAB good call on the swaybar links and bushings. I'll add them to the order.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,603
Likes: 1,402
From: Austin, TX
I would say start by a through visual and with a long pry bar check all joints and rubber bushings. Suspension shops have the advantage that they can raise the vehicle with the weight on the wheels and check things out. AT home your options are limited.
For shocks/struts, torn boot is easy to see. To know for sure the bearing is bad, you have to disassemble and then again there is a chance that it can be misdiagnosed. If I had the luxury, I would have the parts at hand.
Do not overlook the problem of steering pump or rack to be bad if your problem is related to turning.
Steering pump, rack and links contribute to turning action while the suspension gets stressed on up/down motion. Please dont misunderstand this statement ,,, it is what contributes more as they are not 100% independent of each other.
Salim
P.S Loosen the top strut nut with the vehicle on ground. Loosen means break the bond ... do not remove without the spring compressors squeezing the springs.
For shocks/struts, torn boot is easy to see. To know for sure the bearing is bad, you have to disassemble and then again there is a chance that it can be misdiagnosed. If I had the luxury, I would have the parts at hand.
Do not overlook the problem of steering pump or rack to be bad if your problem is related to turning.
Steering pump, rack and links contribute to turning action while the suspension gets stressed on up/down motion. Please dont misunderstand this statement ,,, it is what contributes more as they are not 100% independent of each other.
Salim
P.S Loosen the top strut nut with the vehicle on ground. Loosen means break the bond ... do not remove without the spring compressors squeezing the springs.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
@Salim Thanks for the tips. Overall the RX is in fairly good condition as far as steering, no memory steer and maintains good alignment. I don't anticipate any problems with the bearing but agreed, i won't know till things are disassembled. I have been surprised before on other high milage vehicles that didn't exhibit any symptoms.
I have an impact wrench so hitting that top strut nut shouldn't be a problem after i drop the struts out. If you have torque specs for the mounting nuts and top strut nut handy, it would be appreciated.
Edit: Torque specs here https://www.clublexus.com/forums/3667602-post3.html
I have an impact wrench so hitting that top strut nut shouldn't be a problem after i drop the struts out. If you have torque specs for the mounting nuts and top strut nut handy, it would be appreciated.
Edit: Torque specs here https://www.clublexus.com/forums/3667602-post3.html
Last edited by fastnoypi; Apr 15, 2014 at 07:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
just another question before i start my strut replacement this weekend.
Does anyone know if the lower rear strut bolts are regular bolts or if any are camber bolts?
I'd like to scribe their current position to minimize any alignment changes before i actually bring it to a shop for a 4 wheel alignment. I'm aware the fronts have adjustable camber.
Does anyone know if the lower rear strut bolts are regular bolts or if any are camber bolts?
I'd like to scribe their current position to minimize any alignment changes before i actually bring it to a shop for a 4 wheel alignment. I'm aware the fronts have adjustable camber.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,603
Likes: 1,402
From: Austin, TX
Strut has no adjustment options. Top allows for turning movement and the bottom is fixed. The control arm has the adjustment. So if the ball joints/tie-rod-end/control-arm are not separated, your alignment will hold. My understanding is that you will be replacing the control arm so mark the eccentric washer and then hope the new arm seats the same way.
Let me emphasize the importance of right torques when it gets to suspension.
Salim
Let me emphasize the importance of right torques when it gets to suspension.
Salim
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 5
From: NY
Shock mounts has rubber bushing which get cracked by years. So take a look of mount inner side if the rubber bad or cracked. I think it will be better idea to replace the mounts with bearing, shocks all together which I did mine last week. It will cost you extra but better suspension.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 5
From: NY
just another question before i start my strut replacement this weekend.
Does anyone know if the lower rear strut bolts are regular bolts or if any are camber bolts?
I'd like to scribe their current position to minimize any alignment changes before i actually bring it to a shop for a 4 wheel alignment. I'm aware the fronts have adjustable camber.
Does anyone know if the lower rear strut bolts are regular bolts or if any are camber bolts?
I'd like to scribe their current position to minimize any alignment changes before i actually bring it to a shop for a 4 wheel alignment. I'm aware the fronts have adjustable camber.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,724
Likes: 114
From: NJ
Shock mounts has rubber bushing which get cracked by years. So take a look of mount inner side if the rubber bad or cracked. I think it will be better idea to replace the mounts with bearing, shocks all together which I did mine last week. It will cost you extra but better suspension.