It's got 170K miles on the original set. This is the first real dollar thing to ever go wrong with the car. I am getting quoted here in North California $1000 to $1300 to replace the fronts. I will pay it if I have to but is this normal? And I don't need anything fancy, just a good quality new set. What brand should I get? Should I get OEM ones from the dealer. Any help appreciated. Thx

 

The overwhelming opinion is KYB Ezcel G
they are the OEM supplier and good quality.

 

What is the issue? They leaking, bottoming out, etc …?

 

There is a rapid kerchunking noise in passenger side front when going over choppy roads or my gravel driveway. Mechanic said that strut was leaking. Now I am starting to think with this mileage that I also hear bottoming out noises in the rear when going over general road bumps. Best I can tell there are no steering or handling issues but braking seems not very direct.

 

You can price the struts on Rock Auto or Amazon, I just did mine the parts were $100 ea for the highly recommended KYB's... labor for a decent garage with a spring compressor should be in the maybe 3 hour per side range my DIY took probably 7 hours with the rented compressor from local auto parts shop.

You can verify if yours are shot, take a look at the strut see if it has oil on the strut OR push up and down hard on your car, if it bounces at all they are shot. Life of a KYB/OEM strut is around 100K miles.

Lots of threads about this, including mine, if you use "Search"

 

even though the car does not seem to have any weird handling issues that the noises I have been accepting for a long time from both the front and rear would suggest it is time to bite the bullet and do some spending. I have been tuned into the fronts makiing noise but never attributed the rear bumping noise to the car but to the crap roads in our county. I work on bicycles but not cars so gotta find a mechanic I can trust. When I got the $1300 quote for the fronts I just about feel over cuz I had googled the price of the struts alone. My guess is the mechanic is doubling the retail price of the parts and charging in the hood of $200 an hour. It just hurts . But I wonder if I will really appreciate the difference? thx

 

At 170k miles your car absolutely needs more that just front struts and the pricing will hurt MUCH more then the wire you given. Here's a partial list:

Front and rear struts, strut boots, possibly strut mounts
Lower control arms, sway bar links
Radiator, likely hoses too
All engine vacuum lines, spark plugs

Suspension parts and labor alone will be in the $4k range parts and labor. Will you notice a difference? Absolutely, I did mine last year at 174k miles.

Those are definitely due while there check brake pads and rotors, brake fluid flush, trans oil flush, rear diff fluid change. I'm not a garage just an owner do not trying to add stuff you don't need for my profit just putting some easier on your situation. These are very good cars BUT, like anything, only so if you keep up with maintenance. Keep in mind that every mechanic is not only making a hefty labor rate but also charging at least retail for parts he's getting at wholesale

 

Only buy KYB, and get a new top hat from Lexus. The job is really pretty easy. I would take the originals off and then take to a shop to swap out the shock. Then put back on yourself. Cheapest way to do it. Good luck!

 

WTF is correct on only using KYB as your struts and only use "Koyorad" brand for your radiator... most garages will not use those brands
#1 - they get more profit/mark-up using other brands. Garages rarely care about quality of parts they only care that you leave the shop functioning.most people would sell the car before the poor decision shows up
#2 - you'll be back in soon when the lesser quality parts fail so he gets double pay.

Chances are very good that you'll see reality of how much you're looking at and move on from the car, most people do. You're likely facing not the $1,000 - $1,400 you thought for front struts but more like at least $5K to do it right those parts are definitely due. As a DIY'er the parts are probably in the $1100 range I've done all mine over the last 16 mo's doing a timing belt. water pump, pulleys, belts, oil change, coolant today/this weekend on mine... I also just did a >1900 mile round trip in my car last weekend so I have faith it is dialed in. Doing the suggested isn't a fun job but doable, dealer would likely charge you >$7K, most garages/mechanics would try to use lesser parts but still be near $5K as said above.

 

Ditto^^^^^ KYB's is the only struts to use, you'll also want get the vehicle realigned afterwords.....I'd also change out the end-links as well......