I just bought a pair of OEM struts from Sewell Lexus on-line and got the club discount, came to $175. including shipping. I ordered them for the SC430 with the spoiler, I guess there is a slight difference in pressure with the other one. Took me about 10 minutes to replace both trunk lid struts.

They were very easy to install. Insert a very small flat screw driver under the ball joint clip, then using an upholstery clip removal fork tool or a larger flat screw driver, gently apply pressure between the bracket and the ball joint. It pops right off. For the lower end, I used a small long shaft flat screw driver to reach down to the clip on that end. Then to install the new struts, I repeated the same process slightly loosening the spring clip, pushing the ball joint on and then removing the screw driver. Snaps right into place and works great.

One of the archived posts on this forum mentioned opening the top to reach the struts, that was most intimidating and I did not find it necessary. I did have to use a broom handle to hold the lid open while working on the structs.

 

Check e-bay next time. <$70.00 total with shipping. Same struts.

 

I just got an 03 and noticed the trunk lid closes especially when in my driveway (slight hill) This car only has 6K miles on it and the struts looks like bran new. is the pressure to close adjustable or do i need new ones?

 

They're not adjustable. I've had mine on my 03 replaced under the CPO warranty already. They're gas shocks so, they just slowly leak over time.

 

These can get noisy though. The stocks are quiet.

 

well, I got mine from eBay, and it's down to $58 + shipping now!
the pair works great, easy to install, and I don't hear any particular noise from them.

 

I noticed my shocks rapidly got worse when I started do the one swing closing method, where you grab the inside handle and swing it shut. I changed mine to the ebay shocks and have gone back to pressing on the trunk lid to close it.

 

I just posted on this. When I pop the trunk I have to push very hard to get it open. This this normal or should it glide up easially? Also, is it a bad idea to use the inner handle to close trunk and then push on spoiler or will spoiler get loose?

Sorry I didn't post my question on this thread!
Rustito

 

Hi, I have the 2003 SC430 and went I open the trunk it keeps falling down I know it has something to do with the gas filled shock like things do they have to be replaced or can the be fixed?

 

The spoiler is on there very very well. I only use the spoiler myself as well. There is no way the spoiler will come off or ever come loose by closing the trunk in that fashion.

 

ct.... they have to be replaced. I had the same thing happen to me last year. That's one of the few things that go bad on the SC. You can get them on ebay as mentioned above or you can pay more for almost the same thing by either going to a lexus dealer or purchase on one of the Club Lexus vendors using the code for a discount.

They're easy to change as mentioned above as well.

lar

 

after having the boot drop on my back a few times I decided to follow the advice and buy a pair of struts from Ebay. Cost shipped to Scotland [across the pond] was £48 and they arrived within 7 days. Followed the instuctions and got both fitted in inder 10 minutes. Thanks for those that posted advice and instuctions

 

I just did a search on eBay for struts and they only have the one to fit the LS, Is it the same fit as the 03 sc430?

 

type in sc430 trunk struts. lots of results.. i just bought a pair

 

Thanks syaboi, just ordered them today. Anyone have pics for the install?