Kenny77536

What's the best way to tell if I need shocks, springs, both or none??
I recently purchaced a 97 ES300 with 145K for my daughter for graduation. The car rides SO SMOOTH but it seems to sit low. I drive a Titan so I'm use to sitting up very high and maybe I'm not use to the feel of the car. It appears the tires "may" have rubbed on the strut mount but I'm not sure. Going in and out of some steep driveways sometimes the front spoiler seems to drag.
I don't know if they are originals or if they have ever been replaced. The car does ride very smooth.
So, what are your thoughts???

tuan92129

You usually replace both at the same time, because of the labor cost to remove them, and both parts are probably worn out if either the spring or shock is dead.

llcoolpass

well i mean the explanation how to check is all over the web [ever googled?] and on this site.

what it is is that you're used to the nissan titan. the car is lower to the ground, and with it's wear and tear on your particular, it will probably be even lower [a little] than originally.

if you want to restore it, it's common sense, replace entire front and rear struts, and springs, with toyota parts and you can rest assured it's proper.

many incl myself think the rear springs could have been built a little better for loads but toyota wanted super comfy ride for what they think is a car used mostly with light loads. but i think most people with lexus put lots of junk in their trunk anyway so that makes lexus /toyota wrong in two ways. plus, the camry weight less than es 300. sigh

the car's max weight [luggage and people] is around 950lbs. most cars out there are similar. it might shock youto know that.

my 93 front scraps on stuff too, but usually it has to be severe, or there has to be a lot of weight in the car. it's not unheard of.

there is a way to check for proper ride height.

I posted it on the forum before. let me load the picture again:

llcoolpass

here's a thread I started which might be helpful

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...avy-loads.html