GenericUse

Hey guys, I'm looking for a set of decent struts for my 1993 LS400 after the two I bought from Gabriel turned out to be trash (one came bent and the other came with the bushing misaligned). I can't seem to find anything that's actually decent, though. Every pre-assembled strut comes from either a garbage no-name brand or the regular crappy aftermarket ones. Honestly I'd just get the old one fixed if I could, after 260k miles the only thing that's gone bad is the metal tube in the center of the bushing in the lower end of the shock.

deanshark

Don't know what your financial situation is but you don't want to go cheap on these. Back about 10 yrs ago when I had my old 93 which had factory air, one shock blew so I switched to regular struts. At the time I was pretty much broke so I bought the cheapest thing I could get as temporary until I could afford better ones. Oh what a mistake that was. I bought "Unity" "complete struts" for the back. At first they were great but after about 3 weeks they settled to the point where it looked like an old "gasser" goin down the drag strip. Front was high and back was almost on the ground.
After all that I'll just say "don't buy cheap". Save some money up and get some good ones.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

agreed, get some good shocks. what most people tend to run around here are KYB Excel G shocks which are made in good ol j-pan!

more info:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ut-mounts.html

Lavoisier

I used the KYB strut and assembled it myself with current springs, boot, etc. Very happy with the ride. I understand that you can call KYB and they will sell you a KYB Plus assembly for your Lexus. You won't find the Plus assembly available otherwise.

400fanboy

Recommend replacing shock mounts and boot while you've got it apart.

Springs depend entirely on whether you live in the rust belt. Can be good, may be tired.

If you still want reliability & original ride quality, there are really only two options. Excel-G or OEM. But I realize at 260k miles the OEM may not be worth it to you.

GenericUse

Oh, I plan for this car to outlive me. I'll call KYB when I get the chance and get a price for the assemblies. Don't even know where you'd find OE assemblies.

400fanboy

Stealerships can supply OE shocks and hardware, of course.

I've bought stuff from lexuspartsnow and Lexus South Atlanta with no problems from either one.

I put KYB shocks on the front of my car. Still working just fine 2 years in. Disclosure though, I put KYB shock mounts on as well and they completely failed within 13 months. Had to rip them out and put in OEM.

GenericUse

Alright, only part I can't find is the front strut bumper.

GenericUse

Actually I've just realized I can buy some used OE struts, buy some new parts (insulator, shock absorber, mayyyybe springs but probably not) and have them rebuilt with the new stuff. This would DRASTICALLY reduce the cost and would save me the headache of bad quality mounts, studs, etc. The only important things here are:

- I need new bump stops and cannot find them.
- I need to know if there's any functional difference between the left and right side struts - they look identical but the parts are listed as left and right side specific.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

check out the link in my post above. bradland mentions the moog "bellows" come with the bump stops.

as for the difference left to right. i think there is no difference at least to the aftermarket since there is only 1 part number for front and rear. lexus/toyota might have a distinction for very minor reasons.

lextout

with struts always gettem at the dealership parts department

Losiracer2

I have Bilstein HD shocks on my 99' and they ride fantastic, even with 18" IS350 wheels and wider 245/45/18 Pilot Supersport tires. With the factory wheels, the damping is more controlled, still very comfortable but if you like to drive the car a little more aggressively, these shocks adapt well to that driving style.