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Suspension upgrade

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Old Nov 13, 2022 | 04:01 PM
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Default Suspension upgrade

Has anyone done any work on their suspension.

I'm getting a knock on my low mileage 2013 RX when I go over humps. The shocks aren't leaking but they car is almost ten years old. Should I change all 4 shocks given the age of the car?
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Old Nov 13, 2022 | 05:32 PM
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You need it inspected by a skilled tech to determine the source of the noise. It may be a number of things. The strut mounts and strut mount bearings do wear out too. Or something else in the suspension could be the source.
How many miles do you have? That is more important than age for suspension wear.
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Old Nov 14, 2022 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Sweeks2020
.... I'm getting a knock on my low mileage 2013 RX when I go over humps. The shocks aren't leaking but they car is almost ten years old. ....
How many miles?
Is the knock in the front or rear end?
I have a thud in the rear of our 2012.
I changed the shocks at 80k and now have 115k.
The thud happens when the road varies - driveway, ditches, turns, speed bumps.
Fairly sure it is not brake related as it does it randomly without touching the brakes.
Also, seems to be at only low speeds, never hear it above 45 or so.
I have been able to induce it by rapidly turning the steering wheel back and forth, it will thud when turning right, but not left.
Anything sound similar?
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Old Nov 15, 2022 | 07:16 AM
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We did an inspection, basic signs of wear on the cradle arms, links and stabalizer rubbers. 46000 miles (73000km).

I hear a knock coming from the rear, mainly on speed bumps and ditches.

It's low mileage, but it's been sitting on the suspension for almost 10 years now.
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Old Nov 16, 2022 | 09:58 PM
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Default Easy Strut replacement under 2 hours

I also have 2013 RX350, and heard creaking sound when I turn the steering wheel, thought it might be the steering column, when I inspected I looked underneath I found out my struts and shocks were all leaking and come to the realization that that's why my ride isn't as nice anymore and have almost no bounce when going through humps, ordered parts from 1aauto.com for $370 for parts and took me 15 minutes to replace the 2 rear shocks and maybe an hour for the front struts and now it rides like new again, not that hard, you just need to have the basic tools, youtube have several videos on how to replace struts and shocks

Don't get the ones under $280 on Amazon, it had very bad review

https://www.1aauto.com/products/i/1A...A+PostPurchase
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Old Nov 16, 2022 | 10:01 PM
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Default It's probably not leaking because there's nothing more to leak

Originally Posted by Sweeks2020
Has anyone done any work on their suspension.

I'm getting a knock on my low mileage 2013 RX when I go over humps. The shocks aren't leaking but they car is almost ten years old. Should I change all 4 shocks given the age of the car?
Just replace it, you're not seeing oil leak probably because it's completely empty, I did and drive like new again
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Old Nov 17, 2022 | 01:17 AM
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Originally Posted by RickRX350
Just replace it, you're not seeing oil leak probably because it's completely empty, I did and drive like new again
All four or just the rear?
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Old Nov 17, 2022 | 05:21 AM
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Do the rear first because they are so much easier and cheaper to replace.
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Old Nov 17, 2022 | 08:05 AM
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^^ Agreed.
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Old Nov 17, 2022 | 09:20 AM
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Appreciate the inputs. Will consider it .... part of me wants to do it all and get it done and over as I'll be importing then to Trinidad.

The front costs a whole more.
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Old Nov 17, 2022 | 01:32 PM
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At that low mileage but given the age I would inspect the rear trailing arm bushings as they are a known wear area. I replaced mine at around 70,000 miles. It stopped the noise and made it drive better. I used the Mevotech Supreme rear trailing arms from Rock Auto. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...trol+arm,10401
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Old Nov 17, 2022 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Clutchless
At that low mileage but given the age I would inspect the rear trailing arm bushings as they are a known wear area. I replaced mine at around 70,000 miles. It stopped the noise and made it drive better. I used the Mevotech Supreme rear trailing arms from Rock Auto. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...trol+arm,10401
Ok great. Thanks for sharing that.

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Old Nov 18, 2022 | 09:36 AM
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With the age of the car, you might as well replace all 4, especially if you're doing it yourself, if you're bringing it to a shop then probably rear first, if $ is a concern, if not get it done saves you time spent at the shop
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Old Nov 18, 2022 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Clutchless
At that low mileage but given the age I would inspect the rear trailing arm bushings as they are a known wear area. I replaced mine at around 70,000 miles. It stopped the noise and made it drive better. I used the Mevotech Supreme rear trailing arms from Rock Auto. ....
On ours I replaced the rear trailing arms with the Mevotech's.
The OEM bushings had seen better days after 114k, the thin webs between the outer and inner pieces were torn, not sure how much they helped structurally anyway.
There were thin cracks in the larger rubber sections.
After seeing the bushings weren't that bad I thought maybe the thump is because the arm was offset in the frame opening.
There is enough slop in the bolt holes to center the arm in the opening better.
It does seem to drive a bit better, but the thump persists
I'm going to disconnect the shocks and anti roll bar one at a time for testing.
The shocks are Bilsteins with 35k.




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Old Nov 18, 2022 | 10:40 AM
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I'm looking at those pics and wondering how easy it is change the bushing itself. Press out old and press in new.


Last edited by Sweeks2020; Nov 18, 2022 at 10:51 AM.
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