es300mia

I can tell by the ride on my 97 that it's time to change the shocks/suspension. Anyone have any parts recommendations AND tech tips on how to do it? I am very good with tools and working on cars, but have never done a suspension job, anyone have any good advice on what to do/not to do?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Pheonix

Um, ya if you search on any Lexus / Toyota forum you'll find anything you possibly want to know.
1) Avoid coil-over sleeves unless you want to be blowing struts every few months & a real race car spring rate
2) Plan on the first strut taking 2-5 times longer to do than nessicary for a first timer. Once you do the first one, it's easy after that.

That's about all you need to know.

mcelligott

Yea the first time is always a pain on any car. you will have a few bolts that will take extra time to get loosened and youll have to deal with random dust particles and find dirt in areas of your car that you didnt know existed.

LexusDaisy

I replaced front and rear struts with stock Lexus stuff; rear sway bar bushings too. Handles and rides great. As a bang for the buck mod on a 127,000 mile 96 ES, struts are hard to beat.

Pretty much rides and handles like a new 96 es, and that's a good thing. This is something you feel and notice the whole time you drive. Puts a smile and a little pride back into the 96 ES experience.

jhenty

be prepared to deal with some bad bolts like mcelligott said, thats what caused me the most trouble with my solara. Other than that just rent some spring compressors from autozone if you dont already have them and its pretty much an easy but time consuming process from there.

sle3p13azn

I was thinkin bout gettin some TRD suspension or TEIN, i was jus wonderin if they would work for the 95 ES.

Pheonix

TEIN.

TRD is just the same old rebadged 1.25" Eibach drop springs. The drop is weak, you cant even see it.
TRD Solara springs are 1.5", but I would just outright buy the Eb's.


There is a lot of information on springs here, on LOC & TN.

sle3p13azn

ok, TEIN. if im just mainly doin highway racing, which TEIN damper kit is best?

MoreMGD32

iTrader: (1)

hope you have an impact wrench, its helps greatly!

joosed

I don't want to be hating an all, but why would you want to race and ES 300? Our cars were made to cruz and look good, not go stupidly fast. My racing days are over, now its all about cruzing and keeping it mellow. If you want a race car, buy a race car. But if you really want to race on the highway Be FKN careful!