I have a 98 ES300 with 83k miles which is making lot of sound from the driver side when it goes over even small bumps.

I showed it to the Lexus Dealer in NJ and they gave an estimate of 1200 $ to chg the 2 electronic struts and mounts. The breakup is like this:
electronic Struts -330 each - Total $660.
Mounts - 90 each - total - $180
Labor 4hrs@ 90$/hr - total - $360.
Alignment - $100

------------------------------------------------

Total = $1200

I read couple of threads on this forum where people have discussed the suspension repair costs. Are those conventional struts or the electronic struts..

thanks for help....

 

Well the major chunk of the cost seems to be the OEM parts. Not sure exactly what an electronic strut is, my 97 Es takes conventional struts. The cost for the plates is about correct and so is the dealer labor charge. However, if you purchase the OEM parts you could have any decent shop install them for you, it's not rocket science and is a common repair. I've done them for my toyota easily and I recall a very well written DIY article on how to do it for the ES in the forums. The search engine should be able to dig it out.

 

the conventional struts could be bought easily at tirerack.com for like 60$ a piece.

Can somebody share the experience for the repair of electronic suspension with AVS...??

 

Yes. I remember looking into some aftermarket shocks a while back. A set of four was costing me approximately $300.

 

I bought 4 Tetcko struts (conventional) for $330 from ebay. I had one more question if anyone can answer. I am getting my struts done this Weekend and they gave me the estimate including the $70 alignment charge.

I dont want to pay alignment charge since I have life long alignment from Firestone so here is the question - after getting my struts changed and not getting alignment, would it be still recommendable to drive the car till the next firestone to get my free alignment or it is too damaging to bring the new struts on the road without getting aligned from the mechanic shop itself?

Any suggestion would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,

rm1

 

For peace and ease of mind, why not get the struts installed at your Firestone dealer? I'm sure the alignment labor can't be that much more than the quoted $70.

 

ok im looking into a struts/springs install. My local trusted mechanic shop is going to charge me $360 and a local sport import shop is charging me $390(780 with parts) so yeah screw the dealership and their $1200+

 

I have no problem getting the struts installed from firestone except they will not install it for me since i did not buy the struts from them and I had purchased Teticko before hand so thats why it will not work out.

the only alternative turned out to be from some other shop and its close to the firestone estimate except they will install these struts as well.

so should i go for alignment or not such a good idea for saving 70 bucks?

 

always go for an alignment. goto pepboys or somewhere like that. my last one was between $40-$60

 

I am also interested in getting information on replacing the Electronic (AVS) struts. I would like to convert to a conventional set-up due to the cost but have found nobody that has done this. Lexus dealers have been no help as I haven't found one that has done this conversion. A few dealers recommened against it because they claim it would throw the traction control warning light and disable that system.

 

check with your local suspension shop and midas. Midas did a great job on my front brakes. and i'll be taking my car to them to do the rear brakes after i buy the wheels.