I've got an 08' GS 350 AWD with 185k on the clock. It needs new struts (drives like a boat, bouncy). I want to confirm some parts and pricing.

I got the following from rockauto:
- 1x KYB 551129 (front left strut)
- 1x KYB 551128 (front right strut)
- 2x KYB 551108 (rear strut)
- 2x KYB SM5738 (front strut mount)
- 2x KYB SM5597 (rear strut mount)

I'm not sure if I'll need springs, but I think it's still the factory springs on there so I'm guessing yes. It's been hard to find the right part numbers, but I think:
- 2x Lexus 48131-30B41 (front)
- 2x Lexus 48231-30B01 (rear)

They're $130/each. Does anyone know the OEM/aftermarket for these springs? Given that KYB struts were $80 vs. $280 for the same part from Lexus, I'm hoping there's a cheaper alternative.

I was quoted $3k in labor by the dealer (McGrath, Chicago), which is nuts, I think.
Local shop quoted $1,200 in labor. This still seems a bit high but much more reasonable.
How much do you guys think is reasonable for replacing the struts? I thought it would be more like $200/each. I'm open to shop recs in the Chicagoland area.

 

You do not need to replace the coil springs, the oem are fine just replace the struts. Also you dont need these rear mounts 2x KYB SM5597 (rear strut mount) as the kyb rear struts already come with them in the package.

I would order just this
- 1x KYB 551129 (front left strut)
- 1x KYB 551128 (front right strut)
- 2x KYB 551108 (rear strut)
- 2x KYB SM5738 (front strut mount)

As for the labour those prices are insane! Its probably only a 4 hour job, how much are they charging you by the hour? Have you tried a mom n pop small garage. I dont see it costing no more then 300-$400 for labour + you will need to have a 4 wheel alignment right after.

Also there is a bushing thats prone to wearing down that I would replace. Super easy to swap out and you will already need to remove parts of the front suspension

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20318420685...3ABFBM8uaM5r1g

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

Just to clarify, are you saying "the oem springs are good quality/no need to replace them" or "even at 180k miles the factory springs are probably just fine"?

Grr okay luckily that was super cheap, I guess I'll try to return them. Thank you for the heads up

✅

Yeah dealer I'm not too surprised, but the local shop I thought would be lower. I guess they're charging $300/hr if it's a 4 hour job!
I've had a hard time finding any good independent shops in the area. Some good recs on the forums but they're like 1.5 hr away from me, which may be worth it if they can save me $600 in labor but not if it's the same price. Still have to call a couple so we'll see.

 

Quick followup on the bushings: 48075-30030 is a pair for both sides of the front, right?

 

I replaced all 4 struts only, and 3k that's ridiculous, I brought it to a reputable shop and they charged me 400 CAD.

 

Are you saying your coils were still good? And yeah $3k is absurd for just labor (even if they messed up and quoted me parts, still absurd). No way I'm taking it to the dealership! I'm calling more shops tomorrow, I think I'll just have to look a bit outside of the city but for a couple hundo it'll be worth the drive.

 

They are 2 different bushing part numbers for left and right, the bushings look the same so when installing them make sure to verify which side is which.

48075-30030

48076-30030

Your old coil springs should be fine, if they were to go bad they usually just snap and collapse and that rarely ever happens with spring coils. The dampening you feel comes from the struts.

Call your local tire alignment shops many will swap struts and do alignments. Its not rocket science its a super easy job. If they give quote you a price try to negotiate them down a bit, many places will work with you.

 

Waiting on confirmation on front springs but I know I'm 100% going to need rears. It looks like the part numbers are 48231-30A41 (rear right/passenger) and 48231-30A41 (rear left/driver), about $115/each + shipping. Does this sound about right?

I ended up going into the dealer for TPMS and some other stuff that requires their computers. Talking with the service guys and techs, they're saying 2.5hr labor for each corner, possibly more if there's a bunch of rusted stuff and whatnot. So at least $2k. So the $3k+ was with parts, but still quite a bit. As a side note, they found that the passenger occupancy sensor was malfunctioning, $500+ ECU + labor

I called some more local shops, most are quoting around $1.3k for the struts, which is better but I'd also have to deal with not having a car for a couple of days and whatnot. One of them told me they recommended salvaging the existing CV axle and doing just the boot because it attaches to the oil pan and that part is often impossible to get off without also taking the oil pan out. Would love some thoughts on this vs. asking new aftermarket axles to be put in (Cardone).

 

All I know is thank God I have the ability to work on my own vehicles.

I couldn’t bring myself to spend $4k with of “simple maintenance” on my gs460. Hell, I only paid $8k for it.

Are your cv axles clicking or doing anything wrong? If not, just put a new boot assuming the old one is ripped.

Buy your struts off rock auto. Get kyb brand and call around to see who can install. Hell, create an ad on Facebook market place to see if there are any auto techs who do work on the side. Anyone with the right tools and capability would love to knock this out on a Saturday morning for $500. lol I’d do it in a heart beat for $1k labor cost. But seriously you can find someone good for $500. Get creative and ask around

 

Yeah trust me it hurts me too! I used to do a lot of my own work on my S2k, saved a ton, learned a ton and I knew the work was done right even if it took me a couple tries. That was also a cheaper and easier car to work on (so much space with a cold air intake). Sadly I now live downtown, I'm not about to jack up my car on a 15° slope public lot. But maybe I'll get around to doing plugs or something in the engine bay.

CV axles are just leaking. Knowing what I know now about the difficulty in replacing, I agree that replacing just the boots is the way to go.l, thanks for confirming 👍

 

I bought rear KYB shocks (AVS) and mounts from Rockauto. I think it was about $200 for everything. Tire shop charged under $200 labor to do the install.



Shocks and mounts were sold separately. I removed the trunk liner to make it easier on the techs.


They reused the OEM springs.

 

Thanks for the detailed pictures.

I found a shop locally who said they're willing to do the job for $800 if I bring the parts without nickel and dimming me if they also have to replace a lil piece of rubber here and there. I also checked with my local dealer and they have springs in stock, so if I need some I can get them pretty easy even if they are $150 a piece. So I'm taking it to this shop on Monday to give it a look and see if there's any other parts we need before the job then get it done this weekend hopefully. For now I have all of those parts I ordered (struts and strut mounts).

I'll update on how it goes.

 

Quick question: how have the KYB mounts been for you Oceans? I've been reading mixed reviews.

 

there should be zero reason you need new springs… unless rusted like crazy or physically broken (which I have no clue how that could happen)

 

I hope you are right! The car is sagging in the back, about 1" lower than the front on one side and maybe 3.5" on the other (basically no clearance). I'm thinking that's springs since that's what sets the resting ride height right?