Front Strut Install ISSUES - Bilstein B6
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,112
Likes: 1,699
From: VA
I went to the Bilstein site and they list different B6 (and B4) front struts for the 2010 - 2013 Highlander Limited FWD or AWD. These should be a perfect fit for the RX.
Here is an older thread where a member states he put Highlander front struts on his RX and that they are the same part numbers. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-struts-2.html
https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...44942122929109
Click on each part number for more info in the above link.
Front Left 282729
Front Right 282736
Shock Warehouse & Summit Racing has them among other places $119 each https://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...ota-Highlander
Note that the 2010 - 2013 Highlander has a strut rear suspension so you still need the rear shocks listed for the 2014 Highlander to fit the RX.
Here is an older thread where a member states he put Highlander front struts on his RX and that they are the same part numbers. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-struts-2.html
https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...44942122929109
Click on each part number for more info in the above link.
Front Left 282729
Front Right 282736
Shock Warehouse & Summit Racing has them among other places $119 each https://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...ota-Highlander
Note that the 2010 - 2013 Highlander has a strut rear suspension so you still need the rear shocks listed for the 2014 Highlander to fit the RX.
Last edited by Clutchless; Apr 21, 2021 at 01:26 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,112
Likes: 1,699
From: VA
Largeone - The F Sport has the same springs as the regular model. The only differences are stiffer struts & shocks and the lateral dampers.
https://www.mylparts.com/v-2014-lexu...and-components
https://www.mylparts.com/v-2014-lexu...and-components
Driver
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64
Likes: 11
From: Saskatchewan
Largeone - The F Sport has the same springs as the regular model. The only differences are stiffer struts & shocks and the lateral dampers.
https://www.mylparts.com/v-2014-lexu...and-components
https://www.mylparts.com/v-2014-lexu...and-components
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,112
Likes: 1,699
From: VA
Yes, they will not fit. The 3rd gen - 2014+ Highlander was redesigned and they changed the suspension as it is the same platform as the 4th gen RX350. That explains the larger spring seats for the Highlander struts. Toyota apparently has different springs on the Highlander than the RX starting in 2014.
Looking at strut applications for the Sachs 317642 & 643 they are listed for the 2010-2019 RX. and 2010 - 2013 Highlander This indicates the 4th gen RX springs should fit the 3rd gen RX too.
The 2014 - 2019 Highlander has the same rear suspension as the 3rd and 4th gen RX350, which uses shock absorbers and separate springs.
The 2010 - 2013 - 2nd gen Highlander has the same front suspension as the 3rd gen RX350.
However, the 2nd gen Highlander has a different rear suspension that uses struts. They changed that in the 3rd gen Highlander so it has the same platform front and rear as the RX.
To summarize you want the Bilstein B6 front struts that fit the 2010 - 2013 Highlander and the Bilstein B6 rear shocks that fit the 2014 - 2019 Highlander.
Looking at strut applications for the Sachs 317642 & 643 they are listed for the 2010-2019 RX. and 2010 - 2013 Highlander This indicates the 4th gen RX springs should fit the 3rd gen RX too.
The 2014 - 2019 Highlander has the same rear suspension as the 3rd and 4th gen RX350, which uses shock absorbers and separate springs.
The 2010 - 2013 - 2nd gen Highlander has the same front suspension as the 3rd gen RX350.
However, the 2nd gen Highlander has a different rear suspension that uses struts. They changed that in the 3rd gen Highlander so it has the same platform front and rear as the RX.
To summarize you want the Bilstein B6 front struts that fit the 2010 - 2013 Highlander and the Bilstein B6 rear shocks that fit the 2014 - 2019 Highlander.
Last edited by Clutchless; Apr 21, 2021 at 05:30 PM.
Driver
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64
Likes: 11
From: Saskatchewan
Yes, they will not fit. The 3rd gen - 2014 Highlander was redesigned and they changed the suspension as it is the same platform as the 4th gen RX350. That explains the larger spring seats.
The 2014 - 2019 Highlander has the same rear suspension as the 3rd and 4th gen RX350, which uses shock absorbers and separate springs.
The 2010 - 2013 - 2nd gen Highlander has the same front suspension as the 3rd gen RX350.
However, the 2nd gen Highlander has a different rear suspension that uses struts. They changed that in the 3rd gen Highlander so it has the same platform front and rear as the RX.
To summarize you want the Bilstein B6 front struts that fit the 2010 - 2013 Highlander and the Bilstein B6 rear shocks that fit the 2014 - 2019 Highlander.
The 2014 - 2019 Highlander has the same rear suspension as the 3rd and 4th gen RX350, which uses shock absorbers and separate springs.
The 2010 - 2013 - 2nd gen Highlander has the same front suspension as the 3rd gen RX350.
However, the 2nd gen Highlander has a different rear suspension that uses struts. They changed that in the 3rd gen Highlander so it has the same platform front and rear as the RX.
To summarize you want the Bilstein B6 front struts that fit the 2010 - 2013 Highlander and the Bilstein B6 rear shocks that fit the 2014 - 2019 Highlander.
Just reordered.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
Largeone - The F Sport has the same springs as the regular model. The only differences are stiffer struts & shocks and the lateral dampers.
https://www.mylparts.com/v-2014-lexu...and-components
https://www.mylparts.com/v-2014-lexu...and-components
They sure are proud of those rubber dust covers!!! Both side on mine are ripped. $50 for a bunch of nothing
Thanks for the legwork. Wish I had waited a few days.
EDIT: I did spring (pun intended) for new bearings in the top plate.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
Let us know how the install goes. I just received my OEM Lexus F-Sport front struts. I'll try to get them on in the next week. Since we bought the car used, it will be interesting to see how they ride new? The rear Bilsteins feel GREAT!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
As an update, I installed the new OEM front struts. Car rides a bit better, but I don't think the original fronts were that bad after removing them and testing. I don't think the OEM rides as nice as the Bilsteins, so I can't wait to hear how the front B6s do for Geebr200.
On a side note, I also installed new NAPA branded sway bar links at the same time. They are greasable, thicker, and they have a nut on the back side instead of the stupid allen wrench design. I will try to post a picture of the side-by side between the two links.
On a side note, I also installed new NAPA branded sway bar links at the same time. They are greasable, thicker, and they have a nut on the back side instead of the stupid allen wrench design. I will try to post a picture of the side-by side between the two links.
Last edited by kitlz; May 5, 2021 at 02:09 PM.
Driver
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64
Likes: 11
From: Saskatchewan
As an update, I installed the new OEM front struts. Car rides a bit better, but I don't think the original fronts were that bad after removing them and testing. I don't think the OEM rides as nice as the Bilsteins, so I can't wait to hear how the front B6s do for Geebr200.
On a side note, I also installed new NAPA branded sway bar links at the same time. They are greasable, thicker, and they have a nut on the back side instead of the stupid allen wrench design. I will try to post a picture of the side-by side between the two links.
On a side note, I also installed new NAPA branded sway bar links at the same time. They are greasable, thicker, and they have a nut on the back side instead of the stupid allen wrench design. I will try to post a picture of the side-by side between the two links.
Driver
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64
Likes: 11
From: Saskatchewan
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
I assume you have already tried a high power impact wrench and also a long breaker bar? Also a torch getting it really hot can break the rusted threads free as well.
Have you been able to get nut off, but can't get the bolt out? Or, is the nut seized on the bolt? Sometimes drilling the center heats the bolt up enough to free them?
Best of luck.
Have you been able to get nut off, but can't get the bolt out? Or, is the nut seized on the bolt? Sometimes drilling the center heats the bolt up enough to free them?
Best of luck.
Driver
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64
Likes: 11
From: Saskatchewan
I assume you have already tried a high power impact wrench and also a long breaker bar? Also a torch getting it really hot can break the rusted threads free as well.
Have you been able to get nut off, but can't get the bolt out? Or, is the nut seized on the bolt? Sometimes drilling the center heats the bolt up enough to free them?
Best of luck.
Have you been able to get nut off, but can't get the bolt out? Or, is the nut seized on the bolt? Sometimes drilling the center heats the bolt up enough to free them?
Best of luck.
Driver
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 64
Likes: 11
From: Saskatchewan
So finally have it installed all around, it definitely feels stiffer and everything feels solid.
Though I did replace rotors/brakes(all around), sway bar end links(front) and B6 all around. Everything feels good lol.
The OEM shocks was leaking oil so this worked out well.
Though I did replace rotors/brakes(all around), sway bar end links(front) and B6 all around. Everything feels good lol.
The OEM shocks was leaking oil so this worked out well.