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SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

Trunk Struts - A New Wrinkle

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Old May 7, 2011 | 08:12 AM
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Default Trunk Struts - A New Wrinkle

My 2002 SC needs new trunk struts. I almost fell out of my chair when my dealer quoted $145.98 each! I was also surprised there are two available struts - for hatches with a spoiler and for those without.

I had my spoiler removed almost two years ago. Because the spoiler weighs only 22¾ ounces, I find it hard to believe there needs to be a difference between the two sets of struts.

I did find a place, autopartsbylou.com, that sells both struts ($27.90 each). They recommend installing the "with spoiler" struts which have an additional 5 lbs pressure.

Open for comments and suggestions.
Thanks
EdP
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Old May 7, 2011 | 10:32 AM
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i think someone posted about it on here search for it and it should bring it up i remember people getting them off ebay for about 80 for the par and there was a DIY i believe. are both of your struts bad? Maybe just have the dealer replace one. I also dont think it matters if you have a spoiler or not, go with the least expensive. I got mine replaced under my warranty in January.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 10:42 AM
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Are you talking about these?

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2009/4336.html

Trunk one is $89 each - hood one is $67.57 with the ClubLexus discount.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 10:59 AM
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I really don't think it'll make a difference which struts you use. I'd be inclined to go with the ones made for the spoiler. Personally, I'd buy them off ebay. $42 for the pair with free shipping. It's probably a 10 minute do it yourself job.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REAR-...ht_4152wt_1167
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Old May 7, 2011 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Liquid SC
I really don't think it'll make a difference which struts you use. I'd be inclined to go with the ones made for the spoiler. Personally, I'd buy them off ebay. $42 for the pair with free shipping. It's probably a 10 minute do it yourself job.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/REAR-...ht_4152wt_1167
I saw these and was a little hesitant because I'm guessing they're made in Asia (not Japan). So I went with these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Tru...item35aea92566

I am surprised that Lexus charges so much for hood or trunk shocks when BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes cost no more than $40-$50/pair for their's. You can even get them cheaper and still made by OEM manufacturers.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 12:45 PM
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I bought the ebay ones and its TOUGH. Meaning very hard to close the trunk. OEM is best. Like all struts they go out eventually
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Old May 7, 2011 | 02:07 PM
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I bought a pair off of eBay and installed myself after the Lexus dealership quoted me $500. It took about 5 minutes to install and the pair cost around $80. They were stiff for the first few months after the install but after that, they're fine.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 03:27 PM
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Why don't you just have them re-gassed? Much cheaper.
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Old May 8, 2011 | 07:16 AM
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Huy ...
Thanks. Sewell was the first place I went looking for these struts. Couldn't find them on their site because they call them "supports" - who knew?

harleydjce ...
Where would one get a strut re-gassed?

rennwerkes ...
The struts on ebay you referenced are exactly the same as those I found on www.autopartsbylou.com. Those on ebay are about $90 with shipping; they're about $65 at autopartsbylou (see http://tinyurl.com/3fd9h5s).
Are you satisfied with them?
Attached Thumbnails Trunk Struts - A New Wrinkle-struts.jpg  
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Old May 8, 2011 | 07:40 AM
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it holds the trunk up.. thats all that matters :P
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Old May 8, 2011 | 07:46 AM
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I bought them off eBay . Works great.. no need to get fancy.
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Old May 8, 2011 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by IcEnPinKi
I bought them off eBay . Works great.. no need to get fancy.
And this quote is from a guy that owns the neatest SC goin'. I guess it didn't work before. lol
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Old May 8, 2011 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 1NICESC430
harleydjce ...
Where would one get a strut re-gassed?
Try your local Yellow Pages under Strut Re-Gas.

I do this every few years myself.
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Old May 8, 2011 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by 1NICESC430
Huy ...
Thanks. Sewell was the first place I went looking for these struts. Couldn't find them on their site because they call them "supports" - who knew?

harleydjce ...
Where would one get a strut re-gassed?

rennwerkes ...
The struts on ebay you referenced are exactly the same as those I found on www.autopartsbylou.com. Those on ebay are about $90 with shipping; they're about $65 at autopartsbylou (see http://tinyurl.com/3fd9h5s).
Are you satisfied with them?

actually, they're $45 on ebay with free shipping...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Tru...ht_3654wt_1167
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Old May 8, 2011 | 12:41 PM
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They're $45 each at that ebay vendor.
They're $65.30 for two (including shipping) at http://tinyurl.com/3fd9h5s
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