Hi, my strut mounts are out on my 2007 RX350 and my mechanic say to go ahead and do struts as well! My fear is my luxurious Lexus ride will vanish !!!! Help!! OEM struts are expensive ! I’m at 165k and plan on keeping the car until it hits 300k or even 350k

 

You'll get other members preference but it all comes down to whose driving the vehicle.
And thats you.
If you like your luxurious ride, i suggest getting the same exact replacement or you'll never be happy and regret it.
Especially if your keeping it long term.
Just pay the piper.
Just my opinion of course.

I replaced mine with KYB's.
Does it ride like OEM?
Not even close, but i can live with it.

 

I did considerable research on this and the closest you can get to OEM is KYB. They are the manufacturers for Lexus. They have at least 2 or 3 different types for each Lexus so when someone shares the comment about their experience is best to know exactly which KYB model they used. A part number would be best to know for sure. Many purchase KYB not knowing is the stiffer ones and now the car drives like a truck and they complain. Maybe some actually bought the right model and still not happy; IDK. What I know is that I haven't found a post explaining this. I had conversations with technical support from KYB and cleared all up.

The closest to the OEM is the KYB Excel-G. The valving is just slightly stiffer thus the damping is increased by about 10% to compensate for many other worn components. See comment from their tech person sent to me via email below. It is best to re-use the same springs otherwise you'll get a much different ride. Get their strut mount and boot as well.

My 09 RX350 had 106K miles and just replaced them with these KYB using my springs, their mount, and boot. I purchased from Amazon and I'm very happy with the ride. This is my 3rd RX and I think is the closest unless you go to Lexus OEM. Which btw, I didn't get to ask KYB support if the OEM they make for Lexus is also valved the same 10% but you could ask. Stay away from quick struts (for my model KYB didn't have them), especially other brands. Quick Struts have a thicker spring and a truck-like ride.

Go to https://www.kyb.com/products/excel-g/ and scroll all the way down. On the Search Box just type RX350. I used the 334400 and 334399 fronts. Strut Mounts SM5423 and Strut Boots SB102. I bought all in Amazon and took it to my mechanic to install. Labor $200. I'll double-check but I think the total cost was around $550; totally worth it. Easy job to do too if you want to. Borrow spring compressors from auto parts store or friend.

I'm very happy with the ride they provide. BTW, Tire pressure is important too at 30 psi (or whatever is on the door sticker). Increasing the pressure gives you a stiffer ride and decreases the contact patch thus traction changes; not the thing to do. Also, consider suspension has many other parts so you cannot compare with a new car. You have many miles and components are worn so you will never get 100% the original ride unless you buy a new Lexus, or so; you get my drift.


>> On Jan 22, 2020, at 5:53 PM, Tech Support <techsupport@kyb.com> wrote:
>>
>> Xavier,
>>
>> Yes, we are an OEM manufacturer for Lexus and we produce the struts for several models, but we cannot check if we are on your specific vehicle. All of our OEM struts and aftermarket struts are produced on the same production lines to the same design and quality standards. The aftermarket struts do have a slight difference in valving and this is done to compensate for worn components on the vehicle and allow for a safer, more controlled ride. We do not increase damping significantly, it is about 10% higher compared to the factory struts, and we watch this carefully especially on Lexus vehicle because we do not want to make the ride too firm.
>>
>> Yes, the correct part numbers for your vehicle are 334399 for the front right and 334400 for the front left of your vehicle, as long as you do not have air suspension. If you have air suspension, we do not offer replacement parts that will work.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Technical Support
>> KYB Americas Corporation
>> techsupport@kyb.com
>>

 

I just installed same KYB's on the front and Monroe Quick Struts on the back and I am very happy with them- feels tight and sporty.
Front Struts- KYB GR-2/Exel-G from Rock Auto with good prices and easy check out and very fast delivery.
Upper Insulator and Bellow all in one.: Febest PN: TSHB-ACU30F on ebay.
Lower Insulator: Recondition and reused- see pic below.
Strut Mounts: KYB(buy oem bearings or reuse old ones if still good included bearings are junk)
Strut Rubber Bumper: Bought a bumper and bellow kit cheap and just robbed the bumper out of it- my old ones were crumbling apart.
Rear Struts: Monroe Quick Struts from Rock Auto- Easy, Cheap, and Done!

>> Here's some nice pics for ya'll.

Febest Upper Insulator and Bellow one piece like oem.




Reconditioned Lower insulator using PB Blaster Silicone Spray.



Squeezed em with my Harbor Freight Coil Compressors.




>> And finally the Monroe Quick Struts for the rears.



Good Luck!

 

Great post and info, thanks.
This is very interesting. Why didn't you go with the KYB's front and back? My thinking is always getting the same tires front and back and I would also get the same matching shocks, brakes, etc front and back.
The nice part of the comment is that you are happy. This is exactly the point, if you know what you want and are willing to do the research then the end result will be good. I did my homework and very happy with the result.
Thanks for the pics; great post!

 

Thank You!
I was going to do exactly that but always had good luck with Monroe and liked the idea of all new parts in the Quick Strut.
Plus wanted to see if I can tell any difference whatsoever putting matched pair of KYB on front and matched pair of Monroe on back- but I can feel no difference at all.
I didn't buy the car new so I can't compare to oem ride but it was major improvement to my wore out old struts.