aypues

Dealer says I need a new front driver's side air strut as mine is leaking and creating lots of noise over bumps. I'm going to get a 2nd opinion from a local mechanic. I've also been researching alternatives online and came across Arnott which now makes air suspension struts for our LS430's. Has anyone gone with them?? It's like half price basically for the part ($600). I'm wondering if there is a noticeable difference in ride smoothness or handling.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

I do not have a ls430 with air suspension but I do know that a lot of UL owners do the air to coilover conversion, die to the hassle of the stock air ride set up. I just wanted to let you know this is an option as well.

aypues

Thanks. I prefer the air ride and adjustability.

e60bmw

iTrader: (1)

Yes I think they would be good, sadly I don’t think they make rears. I have to swap out my rear with a used replacement I have. I’ve had the lean from sagging rear since I’ve owned it but it’s got worse recently. No way I’m going coilovers either.

aypues

Yeah, it's just fronts for now they are offering. If I have to buy OEM for the rears that's fine. I just go to Lexus of South Atlanta parts - they have pretty good prices, and my local mechanic will install for only $80!!

I just got my 2004 LS back today, and even with my one bad strut it rode night and day better than my 2017 RX350 loaner.

e60bmw

iTrader: (1)

$80 for the rear? I wonder if he knows how much work is needed to take all that stuff out, back seats, deck lid etc. I just need to tackle doing it one day. What does that dealer charge for rears?

toddmorr

do tell aypues....somebody is selling new OEM struts for significantly less than the 1000 or so typical?

aypues

for the front, labor only. he is dirt cheap.
dealer cost was going to be around $500-600 for the labor, about $1200 for the OEM part.

aypues

I called Arnott today and I asked if their product is electronically controllable with the various level of damping that the original has, and they said no...it's a passive air suspension or something. They said the original has more electronics involved hence the higher price. Anyway, not going to go with it - don't want to sacrifice any of the great ride characteristics I have come to expect from my UL. Glad I looked into it though.

BigAlLex

Really Aypues,
I was under impression they were direct OEM Replacements... All 4 of my Air Shocks need replacement... I was going with Arnotts in the Front and New Lexus OEMs in the Rear... Any Idea how that combo [electronic controls] will work with the various levels of dampening?

Hagar

Look up 5t341th, he has four UL struts. Not sure of the condition.
Then try to find a shop to rebuild them. The shop that did, doesn't anymore. I just got an email back yesterday from them.
Another shop on you tube video showed a place possibly rebuilding or selling a replacement strut.

I have an email out to them today to find out more. (just in case) and then there's always the Japanese used replacement. Probably with very few miles. Just look at how big Japan is. I think or remember they have a law they have to replace vehicles every five years for smog?

nc356

iTrader: (1)

"They said the original has more electronics involved hence the higher price "
Even Arnott doesn't know: the OEM air strut has no electronics.
It's built in shock absorber is adjustable by rotating the center rod (just like classic Koni's).
The electronic parts is the rotation drive for the center rod; but it's external to the strut, and just is set aside and re-installed when swapping OEM struts.
If you had Arnott's on the front, and OEM on the rear, you would be living with Arnott fixed setting in front, while your rears would still be adjusted by your dash controls. No codes would be created.

BigAlLex

Thanks NC,
That is exactly what the Tech at Arnott told me today... The Damper Control Circuits in the Rear are Independent of the Front Circuits... Therefore, Arnotts and Lexus OEM can Co-exist... However, he had no idea when Arnott Rear Shocks would be available... By the way, I grew up in Rockingham, NC... Small World!!!

Hagar

Now hold on...

I got this from Arnott yesterday;


Good Afternoon,
The AS-2894 Front Air Strut for the 2001-2006 Lexus LS 430 is made to meet or exceed OE specifications. Our engineers design all of our aftermarket struts by studying the common points of failure on the OE units and trying to improve upon them. The difference between ours and the OE, and the reason it comes with a bypass resistor, is that these replacements are custom-valved non electronic shock absorbers. The original Lexus factory struts have electronic dampening, meaning that the cars computer tells the shock absorber to stiffen or soften depending on how fast you are driving, how bumpy the road is, etc. Ours are one static damping rate at all times like other standard shock absorbers and the bypass resistor/sensor is used so that you do not get any “service suspension” lights on your dash board. This does not affect the load leveling air suspension however, as the air suspension and the electronic damping are two separate systems, so our struts will still use your factory air compressor and load level just like what you have now, and even without the electronic damping most of our customers can not even tell the difference once they change to our aftermarket shocks, since the electronic damping makes such subtle changes most people aren’t even aware their vehicle has it. Let me know if you have any other questions or need more details! Have a great day.



Warmest Regards,



Jeff Riddle

Core Purchase Specialist

Sound's electronic to me.

BigAlLex

So in a Nutshell,
We should still be able to Use the Different Ride Mode Settings due to the Air Shock's [Arnott] continued interaction with the Factory Shock Air Compressor!?!?!?