Sport or F-Sport Struts & Shocks on '10 AWD?
 

I'm looking to improve the feel & handling of my '10 RX350 AWD, by firming up the ride a little bit.

I've seen that several members have swapped out their rear shocks w/ the OEM sport shocks, and have reported that it has improved the rear handling.

Has anyone swapped out the front struts w/ OEM sport struts?

Also, has anyone successfully swapped out their struts & shocks w/ F-Sport (saying that they even fit?)

TIA!

I can't tell you if the F Sport struts / shocks will fit, but if they do be prepared for a very firm if not sometimes harsh ride over bumps and uneven pavement..

I think they would fit as I doubt Lexus changed any of the physical shock/strut installation points or dimensions during the 3rd gen model run. However the F Sport has stiffer springs. For 2010-2012 the Sport Package model only had stiffer shocks/struts. It had the same springs as the regular model. I put Sport Package suspension rear shocks on and they do improve handling but make the ride so much stiffer over rough roads to the point I have thought about removing them. Wife now complains about getting bounced around.



Looking around for new OEM alternatives I saw that Sachs now makes struts and shocks for the RX, but it appears the available front struts are for the sport package suspension but the rears for the regular suspension. Click on product options in the links to see.

https://www.carid.com/2010-lexus-rx-...parentsubmodel=WHEEL%20DRIVE AWD%20(All%20Wheel%20Drive)

https://www.carid.com/sachs/super-to...leid=419774944

https://www.carid.com/2010-lexus-rx-...parentsubmodel=WHEEL%20DRIVE AWD%20(All%20Wheel%20Drive)

Thanks for your input!
Does the sport shocks firm things up that much?

I saw the Sachs struts & shocks while browsing around, and my initial thoughts about the front struts being for the sports package was:

These are direct replacements for RX's that originally came with the sports suspension on '10-'12 models. If my assumptions are correct, these struts & shocks are engineered to be more firm compared to the OEM. Any thoughts?

I also see that Monroe started making the rear shocks for RX's. Price wise, they're pretty similar to the Sachs brand.

I haven't been able to locate any testimony on how the Monroe struts & shocks perform on 3rd Gen RX's, but I know the brand is deeply rooted in the car industry, so I wouldn't mind getting a set, but I don't feel like being the guinea pig and end up NOT enjoying the ride.

At this point, i've narrowed my new suspension to:

A. OEM Sports
B. Sachs
C. Monroe

I'm planning on getting new struts & shocks sometime next week, so if anyone has any testimony/feedback on my 3 choices, please provide at your earliest convenience.

Thanks again for everyone who has viewed, and taken the time to leave a response.

Cheers!

The ride on my '10 450h with the sport package was definitely not cushy but pretty good paired with the right tires. Michelin LTX had the right balance IMO. I currently have them on my '16 450h F-Sport.

Please double check your C Monroe option. I think I came across a thread recently with fitment issues. Please correct me if I am wrong.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...absorbers.html

Salim

I read it too.
I'll probably play it safe and go with OEM sport setup.

One advantage of the OEM sport rear shocks is they are about half the price.

FYI the Highlander (2008-2012) takes the same front struts as the RX. I searched CARID and found the Sachs struts for it, which I suspect, are also for the RX with the regular suspension. The model numbers are 316404 and 316405. https://www.carid.com/2010-toyota-hi...parentsubmodel=WHEEL%20DRIVE AWD%20(All%20Wheel%20Drive)

The model numbers for the sport suspension are 316406 and 316407,

The ZF online catalog lists all of them for the Highlander. http://www.showmetheparts.com/zfservices/


However for the 2010 RX it only shows the 316406 and 316407. http://www.showmetheparts.com/zfservices/

Are the springs the same between F-Sport and non-F-Sport?

Salim

It appears they are the same springs. I did a quick comparison of part numbers for a 2014 RX, both regular and F Sport. It listed the same part numbers for the springs.
https://www.mylparts.com/auto-parts/...omponents-scat

Thanks again for doing all the research on the Sachs.

I've personally never heard of the company, therefore would have 2nd thoughts on moving forward on a purchase.

However, they've obviously been around for a bit, so I don't want to count them out without my due diligence.

Have you heard of them, or personally know anyone who's used this brand?

Sachs is an OEM supplier to many German car companies. I had their struts on my old Mazda MX6 many years ago and they were better than the KYBs they replaced, improving handling while keeping the ride decent. However, that is comparing apples and oranges.
I will update my prior opinion about the sport rear shocks making the ride rough to add that I have tires with much stiffer sidewalls than the typical Michelin or Bridgestone. I have 8 inch wide aftermarket wheels with 255/50/19 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric all season ultra high performance tires. They make the steering sharper, and handling better while not making the ride much worse on the regular rear shocks. They were not available in the stock size when I got them.

Thanks for the research, I was wondering what was the rear sport shock part number you are planning to install? I'm thinking of doing the same as you. Thanks again.

These are the OEM sport suspension rear shocks for a Canada built RX that I put on my 2010. Both rear shocks are the same. This was the pricing in October 2016.
48531-0E040ABSORBER, SHOCK, RR
[RX350 2010 NAP]
Replaced by: 48531-0E14033.77133.7748531-0E040ABSORBER, SHOCK, RR
[RX350 2010 NAP]
Replaced by: 48531-0E14033.77133.77Subtotal$67.54Tax$0.00Shipping & Handling$15.01Total$82.55 Thank you again for choosing LexusPartsNow.com. If you have any further questions or need more information, please contact us or visit our FAQs.

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I decided to order the Sachs sport struts for the front, and OEM sport shocks for the rear.

I also purchased a set of Yokohama YK740 GTX 245/55/19, which will be installed the same time as struts & shocks.

I'll update in a couple weeks.