I have a 2001 Lexus RX300 fwd Silversport Edition with 198,000 miles and am replacing my rear struts and mounts due to creaking and clunking noises. (I will be using KYB struts and OEM mounts) Are there any additional parts that it would make sense to replace at the same time just as a matter of course given the mileage? Just from reading previous posts I am especially wondering if I should just go ahead replace the sway bar bushings, spring insulators, and, maybe, sway end links even if my mechanic didn't specifically mention anything bad on them?

Also have a few related questions. Is a stabilizer bar the same thing as a sway bar? Does the Silversport edition have an extra or different sway/stabilizer bar vs the regular edition? I thought I remembered someone saying it does. Finally, in the rear are there only 'lower' spring insulators? I don't see a rear 'upper' spring insulator sold anywhere.

Thanks very much for the help.

 

Sway bar links. they are probably ready as well

 

stabilizer bar = sway bar

I replaced front and rear stabilizer bar links as I could twist them easily by hand. Used BeckArnley parts and they seem good. My stabilizer bar bushings seemed ok.

 

I have a 2001 SS as well with 240k. Just curious how much was your total expense for struts/shocks etc.

 

Thanks guys. The mechanic took another look at my rear struts and decided that they were ok for now so I didn't end up replacing them. I had previously replaced the front struts and mounts and sway bar end links and bushings the month prior. At that point I hadn't yet read the warnings about using non OEM mounts so I used KYB struts and KYB mounts along with Proforged end links and moog sway bar bushings . At least for now the KYB mounts seem fine but I'll post an update if they start causing any problems. In regard to the pricing, the KYB front struts were $91 each, KYB mounts were $53 each, Proforged end links were $40 each, and the MOOG sway bar bushings were $4, all from RockAuto. The mechanic charged $180 for installation and another $70 for an alignment.

 

Several years ago I did a relatively complete suspension refresh and made the mistake of using KYB mounts. Since then I have had to replace three of the four mounts, as they had broken.