meh9

Resurrecting an old thread without a conclusive answer...

I originally had the upgraded 18" wheels on my 2015 ES, but I asked the dealership to swap them out for the 17" wheels when I purchased the car CPO. They were amenable to that and swapped the wheels, but did not change the struts.

I'm looking for the softest ride possible, but the ride is still too firm on the 17s with Michelin MXV4. I've experimented with lowering the tire pressure as low as 29 psi. It is softer at the lower pressure, but there are obviously drawbacks and the suspension still feels too tight. To quote someone else in the forum, I feel like a milkshake after driving.

There appears to be two different struts for the ES, one for the 18" wheels and one without 18" wheels. This is from: https://parts.autonationtoyotasoutha...ion-components





What's interesting is that if you click on the link and view the vehicle fitment, the 300h struts are grouped with the struts for the 18" wheels. This would then explain why some of the 300h owners are also experiencing a firm ride.

Is it fair to assume that the struts for the 18" wheels are firmer (sportier) than the struts for the 17" wheels? Is there a discernible difference between the two? Are they interchangeable? If so, can I still use the original springs with the struts that are for 'w/o 18" wheels' or is it more complicated than that?

pab12

Are you sure there are two different struts listed for the ES350, could it be that there is one for the ES350 and one for the ES300h? The ES350 weighs 3549 lbs and the ES300 weighs 3660 so there may be different struts and springs.

Just wonder'n...
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Angle parked in a parallel universe

meh9

Yeah, I'm sure. Look at the vehicle fitment information on the pages below. The ES 300h is grouped with the 18" ES 350.

https://parts.autonationtoyotasoutha...MtNWwtdjYtZ2Fz
https://parts.autonationtoyotasoutha...MtNWwtdjYtZ2Fz

tarm

Honestly if you feel that extreme from the current setup then I doubt the strut change is going to make you feel that much better. The differences are going to be small IMO. So you will not go from milkshake to floating on air but to hand stirred with a spoon vs milkshake blender. Sounds like you would have been happier with an air ride Caddy or Lincoln Town or one of the heavy benz's. Softer does not always make for a smoother ride. It can turn it into a bouncing floating ride. Getting the rebound and compression tuned along with the coil spring rates working together is what it takes to get those super smooth rides. Sprung and unsprung Weight also has an effect of transfer of energy thru to the occupants. Point is do as you wish and it may work but I think for money and time spent the returns maybe too small.

I do hope it works out for you though. Just been down that road. It took a full custom air suspension that is way way more complicated than people make it sound.

VinnyN

Have you figured out your ride quality milkshake woes?...sounds more extreme than what I've been experiencing. How many miles are on your ES?