Difference after replacing struts
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 65
Likes: 6
From: nv
Difference after replacing struts
So I replaced my struts and mounts with Lexus parts. I did an alignment after also. Am I supposed to see a huge difference from before when I hit bumps? It rides better but I thought it would be like a new car. I can still feel bumps. Do I need to accept it still a 23 year old car?
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 102
Likes: 25
From: Texas
I’ve had the front struts done at around 60k miles, OEM to OEM. The reason for me was too much dip crossing the taller speed bumps, to the point of scraping the bottom. New struts stopped that, but otherwise the ride is the same.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 449
Likes: 194
From: VA
Yep, you need to accept it's a 23 year old car. Its just got struts. It rides like any car now. Its not Merc ABC or Audi Skyhook. They really are just struts.
i ran into this issue with my 75,000 miles LS430 years ago. I had built up i my mind that it should glide over every bump in the road. Spent $$$ and time replacing the whole front suspension and the struts twice. After all this work it rode like a 2019 Avalon... technology and "normal" cars have come a long way to isolate the driver. Is the LS430 a decent car. Sure for a 20 year old car it's great. But there's nothing objectively special about it anymore.
the SC is still nice because of the top. You gotta drive with the top down when you can otherwise it's just a smaller 20+ year old LS430 coupe.
just my 2 cents.
i ran into this issue with my 75,000 miles LS430 years ago. I had built up i my mind that it should glide over every bump in the road. Spent $$$ and time replacing the whole front suspension and the struts twice. After all this work it rode like a 2019 Avalon... technology and "normal" cars have come a long way to isolate the driver. Is the LS430 a decent car. Sure for a 20 year old car it's great. But there's nothing objectively special about it anymore.
the SC is still nice because of the top. You gotta drive with the top down when you can otherwise it's just a smaller 20+ year old LS430 coupe.
just my 2 cents.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 292
From: CA
I went with MeisterR coil-overs and adjusted the dampers until it was riding the way I liked it. The ride quality improved dramatically from OEM. There's always air suspension as well, I assume that would feel like a modern luxury car.
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 248
Likes: 108
From: MN / AZ
So I replaced my struts and mounts with Lexus parts. I did an alignment after also. Am I supposed to see a huge difference from before when I hit bumps? It rides better but I thought it would be like a new car. I can still feel bumps. Do I need to accept it still a 23 year old car?
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,250
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From: Texas
I bought my SC two years ago with 180K on the clock and a new timing belt, but the ride was abysmal. Not because of bumps so much as it made the car ride like a rocking horse after ANY dip in the road, no damping AT ALL. It would make you sea sick, I put on new struts ans it was a beautiful ride. Didnt equal the LS, but a nice ride.
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