dlesesne

Hello All,

I'm new to the forum so bear with me on etiquette and protocol practiced in this forum.
My situation: I had the Lexus Dealership investigate a rattling noise in the rear of my 2005 RX330. The answer was the rear struts / shocks need replacing. The price quote for labor and parts for both struts / shocks to be replaced was $1,700. (Ouch and no way I want pay that amount) The Dealership is in Rockville, MD.

My question -- any suggestions on reliable and worthy mechanics in the MD. area (Montgomery County or Laurel MD. area) that could install the parts?
Any suggestions on which aftermarket parts (Manufacturer) to buy, if I were to buy my own parts and have a mechanic install?

Thanks for any and all suggestions
dlesesne

SkiMe

Looks like KYB Struts are pretty good OEM type replacements. Approx $100 per strut on Amazon or RockAuto.

dlesesne

thanks for quick update. i will research on net to determine where to obtain

Follow-up ? - Any thoughts on Monroe® Quick-Strut® unit. Monroe advertises them to be the first complete, ready-to-install replacement strut assembly available. My thought is that the full assembly could reduce install time and mechanics time and bill.

DennisMik

Installing Quick Struts would definitely reduce the installation time by something like 50%. However, I have been reading on other forums that the Quick Struts are having a quality problem, so I don't know if you want to use them.

RedGemini

I'm guessing the strut replacement solved the rattling noise, since the OP never came back. That's what I'm going to do next, I think.

nebu2000

Did the quick strut replacement fix the problem?

How reliable has the quick strut been for you?

I am considering the Monroe from Rockauto, trying to get a sense of the reliability.

Thanks

kennytbone

Reviews of the Monroe Quick Struts seem to be pretty universally bad. I replaced my rear struts with FCS strut assemblies (also available on Rockauto) about 18 months ago and have been very happy with them. Online reviews from people who have actually used them tend to be positive overall and at least one other CL member, RXJack, has them on his RX and he's raved about them. I will be putting the FCS parts on the front as well when it comes time to replace them.

edit to add this link to another thread discussing strut assemblies with a lot of good information:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...placement.html

rexsio

I was going to say the same thing, FCS are ok work. I have them on the front for almost a year now and no problems. there is a whole big thread on struts and shocks for the 2nd gen so check it out.
Call your INDY mechanic and make sure he'll put in the struts or other parts you bring in before you go to him. I had to beg and plead with mine to put in the FCS cause he was like no.
i once read that the dealer actually is the only one to put in some special factory only strut oil filled or something similar that only the dealer has the access too, no other retailer in the US has them. all the retail US struts are gas filled. but that's ok, gas filled are fine unless you want limousine ride everywhere you go. with the quick strut assembly i like the idea of new springs along with new struts, i have factory dealer replaced rear suspension and FCS quick strut in the front of my rx330 and yes there is a bit of difference, the rear is smoother so i guess good keeps the kids from puking but i like the front and the new springs that come with the quick strut assembly, nice and firm.

nebu2000

Hello all;

Great thread; by 2004 RX330 AWD is needing new rear struts; the discussion just guided that I should get the FCS quick strut assembly and replace them myself. I got a quote of $800 from the dealer for the job.

Shokelah5

My 2007 RX 350 has 250,000km or 160,000 miles. Just replaced the original shocks with KYB Excel G front and back. I am so happy with the results. My RX now corners without feeling like it will tip over , drove on the highway with high winds and the RX did not feel unstable at all. I did not find the ride jarring or harsh. My dealer said that the shocks were not leaking but this replacement has definitely improved the ride.

tomr51

what part numbers were the kyb struts and also the boots that were used.

Shokelah5

I bought original strut mounts from Lexus

These were bought from eBay . Collected these parts and just had my dealer install them

Shokelah5

By the way all the work done on my Lexus was at my local Toyota dealer since new.

My small town does not have a Lexus dealership

tomr51

thks for posting the PNs . what year/model is your car? When i look the PNs up i get "does not fit 2008 RX350"

Shokelah5

My car is a 2007 Lexus RX350