reelman4

Took my wife's ES300 into my independent mechanic to replace struts. We were told that after 120K they'd need replacing and the new tires showed cupped wear indicative of bad struts (so say the tire mavens). Learned we have EMS and the dealer only prices were $500 each for the fronts and $555 for rears... that's $2110 before tax. That's about $2500 to have this job done and that didn't include any boots or possible worn ancillary suspension parts. HELP! Is there an alternative here? The car is only worth about $6K and we'd like to get this job done... but not for the price of a 2 week cruise for the wife and I! Can anyone help me with this one? There's got to be an aftermarket replacment - please tell me it's so and where to find!! Thank you!!!

LeX2K

I am not aware of aftermarket parts for this stuff, maybe someone else knows a source. You can get them from a discount dealer and save some money however. Or you could just put in some conventional struts, although that would be a shame to do that. You could get the parts yourself and find an independent mechanic to install everything, or just do the work yourself it is not that difficult.

BTW, tire cupping is most always caused by old or poor quality tires and not the suspension. A strut has to be very worn to cause cupping, although it does happen.

PlatES300

iTrader: (1)

As far as I know, the adjustable shocks are only available from the dealer. There are no aftermarket replacements for them.