What to replace along with strut mounts?
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2nd gear
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: nc
What to replace along with strut mounts?
2004 RX330 w 138k miles. Just replaced a bunch of 22 year,old original front end stuff, but still have creaking sound coming from front strut mount.
Strut itself seems to be solid. Mounts are deteriorating and need to be replaced. I have a mechanic and I normally supply the parts to him. I'm not clear on what I need to order to refresh all of the wear accessories connected to the strut.
Do I order the strut mount and what the parts catalog calls the "bushing" or are there other wear accessories that I should order as well?
Thanks.
Strut itself seems to be solid. Mounts are deteriorating and need to be replaced. I have a mechanic and I normally supply the parts to him. I'm not clear on what I need to order to refresh all of the wear accessories connected to the strut.
Do I order the strut mount and what the parts catalog calls the "bushing" or are there other wear accessories that I should order as well?
Thanks.
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 705
Likes: 233
From: UT
Bushings are a possible cause, but if you have not done them already I would also say ball joints, tie rods, bearings, control arms. I don't do my own labor but did a whole front end suspension refresh on my 04 LS last year. Anywhere there is worn rubber the metal is going to hit metal, and at 20 years all the rubber is worn.
This thread is from the 2010-2015 group, but principles apply:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...end-noise.html
This thread is from the 2010-2015 group, but principles apply:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...end-noise.html
Last edited by CA2WALS430; Nov 5, 2025 at 08:29 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 888
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From: ID
CA is correct, that this age your rubber bits are highly likely shot time to replace:
After replacing the LCA's you'll need an alignment done. Your suspension will feel like a new car. Doing this isn't hard but is a bit time consuming, expect a decent mechanic to charge maybe 4-5 hours as it is all in the same place unless you're in salted road areas then bolts/nuts could be tough to remove. A dealership will attempt to charge you labor on each individual item even though removing the LCA's mean you're doing most everything else at the same time hence they'll be charging a "real rate" of well over $400 per hour since they book at "flag hours".
- Lower control arms are #1 (often come w/ ball joints installed)
- Struts (if your's are not KYB/OEM you may definitely want to change them out)
- Strut mounts (use OEM)
- Strut "boots" aftermarket are fine
- Inspect tie-rods ends, they usually hold up pretty well
- Sway bar links (see Matt's mention of which aftermarket one's to get they are very inexpensive)
- Sway bar bushing - aftermarket are fine they are also very inexpensive
- While there inspect axle (CV joints) and CV boots
After replacing the LCA's you'll need an alignment done. Your suspension will feel like a new car. Doing this isn't hard but is a bit time consuming, expect a decent mechanic to charge maybe 4-5 hours as it is all in the same place unless you're in salted road areas then bolts/nuts could be tough to remove. A dealership will attempt to charge you labor on each individual item even though removing the LCA's mean you're doing most everything else at the same time hence they'll be charging a "real rate" of well over $400 per hour since they book at "flag hours".
Last edited by Leeper; Nov 5, 2025 at 08:41 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 705
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From: UT
A dealership will attempt to charge you labor on each individual item even though removing the LCA's mean you're doing most everything else at the same time hence they'll be charging a "real rate" of well over $400 per hour since they book at "flag hours".[/QUOTE]
Ohhhhh, goodness yes, learned this the hard way. Bought all my parts OEM through Bell and Amayama, great discounters, but then the dealership killed me on labor, ala carte pricing like you said. Feels great though!
Ohhhhh, goodness yes, learned this the hard way. Bought all my parts OEM through Bell and Amayama, great discounters, but then the dealership killed me on labor, ala carte pricing like you said. Feels great though!
Thread Starter
2nd gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: nc
Thanks for all the responses. Great info!
Yes, my mechanic just did ball joints, sway bar links, tie rod ends (probably prematurely), and sway bar bushings. The rubber on all of these parts was in VERY bad shape, though I probably could drive it for a while longer before actual problems with the metallic parts. But, as the tatoo says, no ragrats. Mechanic says control arms still OK.
But strut mounts are rekt. I've got a good independent mechanic and he lets me provide parts. I'm going to give him strut mounts, the radial ball bearing that goes directly under the mount, and spring bumpers, all OEM.
Yes, my mechanic just did ball joints, sway bar links, tie rod ends (probably prematurely), and sway bar bushings. The rubber on all of these parts was in VERY bad shape, though I probably could drive it for a while longer before actual problems with the metallic parts. But, as the tatoo says, no ragrats. Mechanic says control arms still OK.
But strut mounts are rekt. I've got a good independent mechanic and he lets me provide parts. I'm going to give him strut mounts, the radial ball bearing that goes directly under the mount, and spring bumpers, all OEM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 705
Likes: 233
From: UT
That's a lucky find to get an indy that allows parts. I asked 3 here in SLC and all said no. Fortunately many dealerships will allow it as long as it is 100% new OEM with the red/white label. I respect everyone's budgets but I always say if you can swing OEM, you'll never regret it. We have several good discounts sources thanks to the knowledge on this blog.
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From: ID
Any mechanic who does not allow you to supply your own OEM parts should be avoided, they're making an extreme profit for simply ordering the vey same parts you're trying to supply is a testament to just how greedy and unscrupulous they are... making money on their labor and knowledg is one thing, making profits on ordering the identical parts you can in seconds is a whole other thing (of course they are responsible should the parts ordered not fit but so is the case if you supply them you shoulder the responsiblity. Shops enjoy a significant discount while charging you at or above MSRP. (for the record our Toyota/Lexus dealership here in Boise charges ABOVE MSRP for OEM parts also tried to charge me a "service charge" atop their inflated MSRP for Toyota coolant and other parts they had in stock - I called and was quoted a price, when I arrived the price was higher than quoted they said "we add a service fee to our prices" despite my verifying price prior... I do not do business with them any longer)
Last edited by Leeper; Nov 6, 2025 at 01:27 PM.
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