Trunk Struts
 

Hi, I just received a pair of new Trunk Struts for our SC.
Has any one had the experience of replacing them, if so can you please give me some guidance,
as the bottom looks a pretty tight space to work in.

Thank you.

Chris.....From OZ.

Here is a thread on this subject.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...nk-struts.html

Changed the struts on mine a couple of months ago. Very simple to do. I think I remember that if you open the top (or maybe partially open it...I don't remember) the strut ends are much easier to get to. Basically they just clip into place though.

I just finished replacing the Trunk Struts. Took me less than 10 minutes from start to finish.
I first opened the top to a certain level, until the Struts were easy to get to, (the bottoms).
Then I removed the clips with a very small flat screwdriver, or something with a sharp point.
Then I closed the top & opened the trunk, supporting it all the way up as mentioned before with a Broom-stick, etc.,
For safety reasons, I placed a support on both sides.
The old Struts came off with ease. (just pry with a screwdriver)
Fit the new Struts with the clips intact, job done.

That was the good news, now for the bad.
The Brand that I got was (ARANA) From China $ 22 free delivery (5 weeks) for the 2002 SC 430 with Spoiler.
I was so proud that I did the job so smooth to find that it won't stay up. @#$%&* CRAP.

Chris.....From OZ.

Sorry to hear that you have been duped as well. I had to take a $26 hit because I believed a member who swore this brand was OK. I had to put the OEM back and I have the pair as a paper weight (even this use is not GOOD).

There are OEM replacements. Use them. They are about $60+ a pair. Or else get the OEM Lexus which is going to set you back a pretty penny.

I bought mine from liftsupportsdepot.com. I don't recall the cost. But they were very reasonable. Much less than the OEM struts. They've been on my wife's 2003 for about a year. They work very well.

There's every possibility that the members Struts were O.K. Maybe the way they pump them out by the Billions, an X amount are useless.
I wasn't overly optimistic when I ordered, but for $20 versus over $100 I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Chris......From OZ.

+1 for the LIft Support Depot versions. Very cost effective (can order via Amazon), and many members have had great luck with them. Easy 10 minute install.

I also ordered mine from liftsupport....so far better than the POS and the old ones. I still feel the OEM's are better but are steep in price. I heard from other owners that their support lifts have been replaced under warranty multiple times.

....I've had my liftsupport trunk struts for about 2yrs now, without an issue. I guess if they failed now, I wouldn't complain about the $30 I spent on them...lol

Update on my "ARANA" Trunk Struts. Originally I had them fitted in my driveway, about a 5 degree incline & failed to hold the trunk up.
I went shopping yesterday & lifted the trunk to put in the groceries & it stayed up. I tried it again in my driveway, but won't stay up.

Chris....From OZ.

I bought some off ebay that work fine

as for installing them, I gave them to my son and said, "put these on my car"

i purchased mine from this guy and no issues. He is 99.8% and over 100,000 reviews. I have had mine since Jan 2016.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Qty-2-StrongArm-6423-Rear-Trunk-Lift-Supports-Struts-Shocks-Springs-Props-/371141241568?hash=item5669bdeae0

That's what I have on mine!

Thanks for the input guys.

Chris