JStephens

Who has changed their shock struts on a 2009 RX350 AWD and been satisfied with the replacements. Also, which brand did you use, please?

The reason that I ask is that I replaced mine with Monroe OE Spectrum shocks all around, and it rides like a hay wagon. I feel every bump in the road and have driven 700 miles with it this way so I doubt it will get better.

robm

Check your tire pressure. Maybe they over inflated them when you got the repair.

rexsio

if its' not the tires, i wonder if the wrong struts were put in those struts have vehicle specific valving. see how it is after 2-3k miles, you might just be more sensitive to the bumps cause your paying more attention to them.

JStephens

I checked the tire pressure as the first item when trying to solve the problem. It was 30 pounds per tire when cold, so that wasn't the issue.....but thanks for the reminder.

JStephens

It wasn't the tires, and I checked the part numbers with Monroe before and after the install to make sure that the correct numbers were sold to me and that I installed them in the correct location on the vehicle. This was not my first time doing this shock/strut swap on a vehicle, so I am confident that it was done correctly. I now have nearly 1000 miles since the install and the ride has not improved.

I spoke with Monroe and they are going to rebate my purchase cost after I put another brand on and ship these back to them. They pay the shipping, and will pay $100/axle for a shop to swap the struts (the best bid that I received was over 500 dollars for the labor) and will pay up to $80 for an alignment if needed.

I ordered FCS shock struts and will install them myself when they arrive. Hopefully, the ride will improve.

Thanks for the suggestions and for your response.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Definitely keep us updated on FCS. In the process of replacing struts on our 2008 riding on original struts at 150K

tomr51

has anyone used Sachs struts?????????

JStephens

[QUOTE=RXGS;10475497]Definitely keep us updated on FCS. In the process of replacing struts on our 2008 riding on original struts at 150K[/QUOTE

I swapped out the Monroe shocks for FCS shock strut assemblies, and the ride did not improve.

The tire dealer drove the vehicle and said the tires are fine and the reason for the harsh ride is simply because the suspension is now new and stiff. I am at a loss as to what to do next, other than sell the car

My original shocks with 106k on them rode better than it does now.

iMSQ

KYB Excel-G Shocks & Struts are #1 recommended Original Equipment replacement choice for Asian SUVs and Crossovers

PS: Have you checked Lower Control Arms in your car?

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I mean i guess the answer is replace with OEM, itll cost significantly more, but theres a reason for it. I know FCS are stiffer, but how much stiffer?

JStephens

I have checked the control arms and they are in good condition. I discovered that the left front FCS shock/strut was defective ( I did a bounce test on each quarter panel and it wouldn't move) so I replaced it with a new FCS shock/strut. The ride improved somewhat, in that the harsh bump in the front end got better, but the rear end is still harsh. I still suspected the new tires, so I dropped the tire pressures to 24 pounds each and tried a test drive. The ride didn't change. I am at a loss as to how the ride could be so bad with 2 complete sets of different brand shocks.

iMSQ

PS: ~$90 per KYB strut (at Amazon)

JStephens

I finally decided to sell the Lexus rather than deal with the problem any longer. I traded it in on a new vehicle, as I knew it would be sold at auction rather than my selling it to an individual who would have to deal with it.

The lesson I learned from this is that I should have replaced the shock struts with Lexus shock struts in the first place. After market parts from other manufacturers are sold as OEM, but they don't give the same ride as original.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

What did you end up buying?

iMSQ

You are NOT 100% right. Lexus and any other car manufacturer are "assemblers". They do not produce most auto parts they use to "assemble a car". Each car manufacturer has a list of suppliers (i.e. struts/shocks - KYB, brakes - Brembo, tires - Michelin, etc.). Hence, the best choice for used car is the part from assembly line supplier but not the OEM part when you overpay for the car manufacturer's logo.