Are Highlander front struts compatible with Lexus RX? I have an RX400H. Some aftermarket struts manufactures show the same part number, some don't. My front struts are shot and I want to with used OEM replacement. My local salvage yard have tons of highlanders but no Lexus RX's. Used Strut assemblies are like $25 I've read some reports that the stock highlander struts are longer, but can't verify this.

Lastly, are the cheap China struts I see on eBay and amazon even worth trying? Seems like a good Toyota/Lexus OEM used would be best. Thoughts?

 

1st gen Highlander struts are the same, I have both cars and have overhauled the suspension on both. 01-03 has an every so slightly taller by 0.2” rear strut that is interchangeable but a little less heavy duty. Although, why bother with used struts? They’ve probably lost a lot of gas pressure due to age even if they were low mileage.

I would just get some KYBs from Rockauto. New boots, save strut mount, spring and call it a day. It’ll be much better than any used OEM strut. China ones on Amazon will probably blow out soon, and if not they’ll handle like dog poop. 2008+ Highlander (2nd gen) and 2010+ RX (3rd gen) is when they started to get taller struts.

 

I can only speak on the RX330 - Front KYB struts on eBay run @ $150 per set/$176 Rock Auto... all 4 with bellows and everything minus the strut mounts runs $500 shipped... can't imagine anyone opting for a cheaper set of something so vital/important

 

Ditto^^^^^^^^^ Do it once & be done........KYB struts, use your oem springs.....I used the oem strut mounts.....

 

This times 5. I have done this on several cars and it always works great, just a little more time swapping the shock cartridge vs. popping in and out. Tip if the compressors bug you: use three of them (free to borrow from auto parts stores). I used three compressors (1 set + 1 from another) and I can compress/release much more evenly w/less chance of slippage.

 

Fair points guys. I've had some bad experiences in the past with aftermarket replacements, they were worse than the ones I replaced!. At 193k miles my rear struts seem ok with no fluid loss. But the front right has clearly lost oil and I also hear a clunking/ popping sound from that side on slow left turns. I checked it over and wheel bearings, tie rods, CV's and ball joints all look good. Lower control arms and bushings were replaced about 15k miles ago. The ride is quite bad from the front as you would expect.
Both front bellows are torn up and the front strut mounts look pretty rough too. I worry the clunking sound is from the strut mount. I might try to pick up some decent highlander complete front struts and throw them on. At least that way I'll have some spare stock strut mount and springs if I choose to go with the KYBs later on.

 

KYB is the OEM of Lexus suspension components. You are buying them in the aftermarket, but they are the OEM shock manufacturer. That is why we all use them. They may be valved slightly differently, but are OE quality. Used shocks and springs are an enormous PITA to pull in a junk yard, and a real gamble since they are a high-wear item.

 

Like mentioned KYB's are the oem for Toyota....Get a pr of new KYB struts & a pr of new oem Toyota new strut mounts........Why do all that work installing used parts & who knows how many miles or damage they have...Your time is worth money where you could be doing something else.........

 

I went the cheap route, clearance parts on rockauto;
API 2701586459 (2701586459:8) Shock / Strut & Coil Spring Assembly
Wholesaler Closeout - Private Label Pkg. - 30 Day Warranty $ 39.79
x2

and
ULTRA-POWER 4331660R Shock / Strut & Coil Spring Assembly $ 77.79
x2

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

All mechanical Lexus parts are Toyota parts. There are no specific Lexus parts. When I had my initial 2004 Lexus RX330 all work was done by my local Toyota dealer.

 

Do not buy on Toyota/Lexus quickstruts from china. Keep your springs and replace the struts(shiocks) with Lexus/Toyota if possible. There are a few non Toyota struts that are OK and many that are not (lke" Monroe." Car care nut on You tube has covered this. Look him up.You can use non oem parts on these cars depending upon what parts but always best to stick with oem. MANDATORY for things like sensors. Ask me how I know. I am a mechanic.

 

I already bought the CHINA ones and installed them

 

Quick follow up.

I ended up replacing the front two struts with FCS complete strut assemblies from Rock Auto about a month ago. Very cheap, but were well rated and seem to be decent quality. I originally wanted to replace just the strut and not springs but the top mounts and isolators were in bad shape and the whole assembly wasn't much more.

The new struts mounted very easily and I was able to complete the whole job in under an hour. The popping noises when turning and the heavy vibration at high speed are completely gone. The difference in handling especially at highway speeds are night and day, and this is with only the front struts! I will be replacing the rears soon as they also have bad top mounts, bump stops and dust covers.

Do the new quick struts ride as good as new OEM Lexus? Probably not. But I was able to improve dramatically improve the ride and handling for very little money on an almost 200k mile daily driver with almost no labor. I wish I would've done this sooner because my tires got really chewed up on the old blown out struts.

I still have the original Lexus springs though, what do you think, should I try to swap out the springs with original and see if the ride improves even more?

 

you'll be replacing those fcs ones in a year or two almost guaranteed. My coworker just had to replace the ones he just installed on his Corolla like a year ago. Not worth cheaping out