Ref: 2009 RX-350 AWD, 149,000 miles

Need rear struts[mechanical]....if go with aftermarket product will rear of car be higher than the front....will it be that noticeable?

Dealer wants $1700 to replace rear struts [Holy Crap].

FYI KYB doesn't make front struts for my model of Lexus....nor does Monroe...only Gabriel and FCS makes front and rear strut ***'y for my model [per Rock Auto].

 

I personally say it will be but not by much, maybe .5-1"? This is assuming you reuse the old springs.

Also, not sure where you were looking. RockAuto shows KYB for 2009 RX350 AWD:

 

Thanks for helping ...after market shops are telling me that they would replace rear struts with a strut ***'y package[strut, coil spring and mount ***'y] so i guess i would be getting a new coil spring.

KYB does stock REAR strut ***'y but could not find on their site the FRONT ***'Y as i was thinking that i may want to replace both front and rear struts.

Not sure why dealer cost to replace rear struts is so high [$1700].

Parts guy a dealership told me to stay away from KYB struts as they are noisy and do not last veery long.

 

Hmmmm, odd your shop only wants to do ready-struts. I get it is easier and sometimes cheaper but as you noticed, selection is extremely limited. Now what you said first make sense to me, KYB is notorious for not even trying when it comes to ready-struts.

My useless 2 cents, if you do end up going KYB, re-use old coils (new everything else though). New coils will ride COMPLETELY different unless you're up for that.

Dealer parts prices and labor cost is just insane. I know an air strut for an LS430 I was helping fix was pushing close to 1000 for OEM PARTS alone, outrageous. It's be awhile but I assume Lexus is close to $140/hr now?

What dealer? KYB is the OEM supplier for Toyota/Lexus but what they get is slightly different that the civilian version you buy off RockAuto/etc.

 

I don’t see how KYB would change your ride height.

personally, I would go with same brand front and back for balance. KYB will more stiff than OEM.

what brand are ready struts?

 

+100500 I also wouldn't recommend buying no-name STRUT ASSYs (from China).

 

Dealer i got quote from : McGrath Lexus, Westmont, Illinois.

Their labor rate for service is now is $179 /hour.

 

Two [2] different shops advised they would use Monroe brand strut ***'ys....but Monroe doesn't make a front ***'y for my model of Lexus [not sure why]...rear only.

 

$179/hr. Wow.

I'd take KYB over Monroe but that's just me. Find a shop that is willing to work with components, stay away from strut assemblies even if they are well branded. I would go OEM Toyota for the bearings and hardware while the strut itself can be whatever brand you choose.

 

x2 ^^^^^^^^^ I've installed many of those quickstrut assemblies in different vehicles & I find they're made to a price, another words cheap. Some are different heights, stiff springs, ect.....Whats the issue w/ using the oem springs?

 

Okay..thanks for helping

 

My second RX (2009 350 in great shape) has only 64k miles - including a cross-country trip (3000 highway miles). It's been garage kept the entire time and looks like it just drove off the lot. I plan to keep it a lot longer after selling my 2003 RX300 with less than 100k miles.

Took this RX350 in for a Virginia inspection sticker (failed for torn strut boot) and got the bill for struts and other work. I have yet to go back to the shop. I do ride rough - accelerate and brake quicker than normal drivers which may have led to replacement needs at a lower mileage level than most others. I'm looking for options, maybe upgrade the sway bar, etc., based on this thread for a better ride over the long term. Watched the video above so I'm going to avoid Chinese parts but other than the KYB option for struts, are there other better ones than KYB to purchase if I'm willing to pay a fair price while shopping for the best OEM alternatives.

Shop Notes:
REMOVE / REPLACE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS W/ SWAY BARS LINK KITS
Part Description Quantity Sale Extended
SPEEDY STRUT ASSY/Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly 2.00 $343.62 $687.24
SPEEDYSTRUTASSY/Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly 1.00 $320.13 $320.13
SPEEDYSTRUTASSY/Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly 1.00 $320.13 $320.13
STABILIZERLINK/Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link 2.00 $53.35 $106.70
555SWAYBARLINK/Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link 2.00 $68.74 $137.48
Labor: $1,119.65 Parts: $1,571.68 Job Total: $2,691.33

Looks like he wants to toss the coils and go with an all-in-one strut and coil assembly. Yes, these coils are 12 years old, but less than 70,000 miles. Willing to replace the coils if that is a better option - especially since I'm keeping the vehicle for several more years.

I am hoping to find another option to reduce the $1120 labor charge.

The car failed inspection for the strut boot issue so I will be addressing that and several other issues.

REPLACE BELLOWS BOOT: STRUT BOOT/Suspension Strut Bellows and outer tie Rod (no extra labor) Labor: $239.93 Parts: $34.56 Job Total: $274.49.

The mechanic is also recommending:
Replacing the TRANSFER CASE COVER - AWD Labor: $2,879.10 Parts: $0.00
STEERING GEAR (COMPLETE) - Remove & Replace - [Includes: Adjust toe-in on Rack and Pinion type
Steering Gears.

Replacing Steering Rack w/o Outer Tie Rod Ends 1.00 $572.58 Tie Rod End-Front Outer 2.00 $76.86 $153.72
Labor: $719.78 Parts: $726.30 Job Total: $1,446.08

POWER STEERING PUMP - Remove & Replace - [Includes: Bleed System.]
Labor: $359.89 Parts: $375.62 Job Total: $735.51

OUCH. If I'm going to spend around $8,000, I want to make sure the items will last for a while and certainly benefit from the improvements up upgrading quality parts. Also makes sense since my driving characteristics might benefit from upgraded options to handle the extra wear and tear. Might as well purchase all the parts on my own for upgraded struts, sway bars, tie rods, etc., if I'm going to spend a lot to have a lot of work done.

Mechanic Note: FRONT STRUT(S) ARE WORN OUT - STRUTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 75 TO 100,000 MILES

Mechanic Note: REAR STRUT(S) ARE WORN OUT - STRUTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 75 TO 100,000 MILES.




Power Steering leak has been an issue for a while but I haven't added any for a while so I'm wondering if this is just residual and not getting worse. Looks bad but who cares if I'm not having any other signs/noises. Last April, the mechanic said it was leaking so I needed to monitor it. It's never dropped below cold minimum so I've never added any fluid.

 

"My second RX (2009 350 in great shape) has only 64k miles - including a cross-country trip (3000 highway miles). It's been garage kept the entire time and looks like it just drove off the lot. ..."
Nice, low mileage!

Took this RX350 in for a Virginia inspection sticker (failed for torn strut boot) and got the bill for struts and other work.
I don't think so. Maybe they meant the torn CV boot in pic below?

Mechanic Note: FRONT STRUT(S) ARE WORN OUT - STRUTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 75 TO 100,000 MILES
I'd get a 2nd opinion on whether they are worn out or not. Don't fall for the "should be replaced every x amout of miles" nonsense- it's a sales trick and I seen it every day at the shop I worked at. If the struts are bad and/or leaking it's time to replace but the mileage they fail depends on climate and road conditions. If you live on a dirt road they can die at 30k and if you do highway driving they can go 150k.

This whole estimate looks like a good old fashioned screw job and makes me want to lolololololol.

-> Arrow points to a leaking CV axle boot not a strut boot.
EDIT -> after looking at it again it might be the inner tie rod boot- hard for me to see.



Much more can be said but I'll leave some for everyone else. lol

 

Crap - thanks!
The mechanic's writeup didn't mention CV (only Bellows Boot) but replacing the CV Boot looks pretty simple:
Can't believe they want $240 in labor to do what's done in the video... They've done other work on the car seeming to always delay work so appeared honest - maybe just setting the hook!!!

Now I definitely will take my RX 350 to another mechanic and ask for their opinion. Especially since I don't have any ride, noise, etc. issues pointing to the struts, coils, etc.

 

The quick boots tend not to hold up. Better to pull the axle and reboot it so the labor will be higher than a quick boot in your video.

One of the many problems with the estimate is you were quoted for "quick style strut assemblies" and sway bar links.
Where are they getting $1,100 for labor? It's a 1-2 hour job all the way around all 4 struts going crazy and changing the oil while their at it taking their sweet time.
* And notice in the video below- the strut assemblies come complete- no dust bellow changing or springs or anything like that- they are all assembled ready to slap on and go(and they don't cost $350 ea either). The rest of the estimate is a whole other story...

"REMOVE / REPLACE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS W/ SWAY BARS LINK KITS
Part Description Quantity Sale Extended
SPEEDY STRUT ASSY/Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly 2.00 $343.62 $687.24
SPEEDYSTRUTASSY/Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly 1.00 $320.13 $320.13
SPEEDYSTRUTASSY/Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assembly 1.00 $320.13 $320.13
STABILIZERLINK/Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link 2.00 $53.35 $106.70
555SWAYBARLINK/Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link 2.00 $68.74 $137.48
Labor: $1,119.65 Parts: $1,571.68 Job Total: $2,691.33"