IoT

I have Lexus ES350 2010 with 167k miles. The mechanic mentioned that the rear struts are leaking.
Lexus OEM is $155.28 each from Lexus Part # 48510-80505 (right) and # 48520-80238 (left)

I have the following questions:
1. Are there any other brands than OEM that are recommended? If yes, where I can order these from?
2. Any good videos which show how to replace them myself?

Clutchless

There are videos on youtube, but if you have to ask you should not do this yourself as struts require compressing the springs which requires a special spring compressor and they are very dangerous if something goes wrong. You can get seriously injured or worse.
Also it is very complicated and you also need a torque wrench, probably some breaker bars and most important, experience in doing this job!

Any independent repair shop can replace your rear struts as they are the same as on the Camry and millions of other Toyota vehicles. The shop will have their own parts sources.

There are several aftermarket suppliers of rear struts such as KYB which is what most folks get. Other reputable brands are Sachs, Monroe, TRW.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...k+/+strut,7556


​​​​​​
​​​​​​

ESh

I replaced all of them on my ES350 with Monroe Spectrum and they are hard as rock. Stay away from them.
I think Kyb are OEM so they should be good.

Clutchless

Sachs are softer than KYB. They are a German brand.

IoT

Thanks. I recently changed rotors and brake pads so I can do it. Just wanted to know which brand of struts I should pick.
For Spring, some struts come with spring so I am thinking of changing whole assembly so won't be needing removal of old strut from spring and putting new one in.

ESh

That will be much easier for you, but I’m not sure what is the quality of the new springs.

Clutchless

Some have not been happy with the stiffer ride of the KYB quick struts. They also take a few months and several thousand miles to break in. Rock Auto has them.
If you want to keep the original ride you need to keep your original springs. Another option is to remove the old struts yourself and pay a shop to compress the springs and swap them over to the new struts. It should not cost much as most have a wall mounted commercial spring compressor and air wrenches that can do this quickly having done hundreds of strut swaps. Buy the OEM or Sachs struts for a softer more OEM ride, KYB for stiffer ride.

See these threads
​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...y-options.html

​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...placement.html

​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...eplacment.html

IoT

Great response! I will get mechanic to change just struts and keep original springs as I like that ride.

Clutchless

You usually need an alignment after strut replacement.