My right front strut is leaking and needs to be replaced. Dealer is asking $ 754.44 for the change. I am pretty sure that is way above what I would pay anywhere else. Question is should I replace both struts (left and right) or can I get away with replacing just one?

I see the KYB's for around $ 70 each. Does that sound about right? Can't understand why dealer would want to charge so much just to change the strut.

 

My rears need changing. You could replace just one but it's not recommended. Changing both would be the better way. It's usually the front struts sending you a message that they will fail soon. I had this happen with my other car. First only one side was leaking, then about a month or two later, both sides ended up leaking.

Dealer's quote is about right. They will replace it with the OEM Toyota struts, then the rest of the charge is on labor. KYB's for $140 a pair is about the cost of one OE strut. I heard Tokico's are close to OE ride quality and rhey make OE struts for Toyota. Whichever you choose, going aftermarket and having a reputable shop install it will cost you less than the dealer's for sure.

 

Aftermarket and a good independent shop will save you money for sure.
Just be aware that aftermarket, even if they make OEM for Lexus, MIGHT
give you a slightly different ride feel. I bring this up because in the ES350 thread someone went this route and experienced a ride their wife didn't like and had to change the struts a second time to OEM. Personally, I'd go the aftermarket route.

 

First off - The ES350 has McPherson Strut Suspension, the ISX50 and ISF has Double Wishbone Suspension with shock absorbers. You should always replace shocks (or struts) in pairs. Sometimes all four if the other two are worn.

Lou

 

I guess all the previous posters and myself stand corrected re shocks vs struts. But does that mean aftermarket shocks couldn't give a different feel to the suspension?

 

^^^^Depends on the shock. Shocks are tuned for different things, stock valving, stiffer than stock and etc. If you will be retaining the other two stock shocks than you want shocks tuned to closely mimic the characteristics of the stock shocks. That should be easy to do with stock as well as aftermarket shocks. Everything you need to know shoulld be in the description. KYBs and Tokicos are both good choices and are less costly than stock.

http://www.autoanything.com/suspensi...13A2548A1.aspx

Lou

 

So, that was a yes.

 

For a 2006? It is probably old enough that you should replace both left / right as a pair, or it would ride funny. If you just replaced them recently (i.e. within 3 years) and one of them die, then sure you can replace just one.

Think of it as replacing tires, if you got a flat on a set of very old tires you would want to replace left / right as a set, but if your tires are very new you should just replace one and keep the other untouched.

 

^ Agree with PandaBear, if it has been awhile, I would go for both.

Also you could get OEM parts online cheaper than dealer and just pay dealer for labor if you really want them to do the job.

MyLParts / LexusPartsWorld is one vendor on the forum that stocks OEM and offers discounts, so check them out.

 

Never replace only one strut if they have more than 20k miles on them the difference will be too great and you will get uneven ride hight and feel. rather than two new oem id go with 4 new kybs since the fronts are gone the back are prob about gone two or do you ride your car on only the front wheels?? lol. KYBs firm up the ride a bit but not much so they make up for soft high millage springs. At first they might feel a little rough but relax give them 60 days brake-in and they feel perfect. My 07 has had a full set of KYBs on stock springs since 90k miles currently at 130k and feels great. Wanna get a full set for my 06 soon since its at 76k miles and im on fsport springs so its gonna feel real firm

 

Where did you guys purchase your KYB Struts? Need to replace front right strut but will change out both fronts. ANY IDEAS? South Bay/ Peninsula Area... ANYBODY? TIA