Hi!

I searched for replacing rear air struts, but could not find a thread with anyone describing how they did a DIY replacement.
I've been told by a tech that it is a PITA to do. Anyone willing to share their experiences (preferably with videos)??

Thanks in advance!

Dan

 

A lot of good info here- https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...del-ls430.html

It's a how-to on replacing rear conventional struts. The fundamentals are basically the same as the back seat is removed regardless of strut type. The rear suspension components, upper control arm and ball joint etc, are basically the same as well. Most people are intimidated by removing the back seat but it's not difficult at all.

 

bradland,

The tech I talked to did mention removing the back seat.
I've replaced a R front air strut, and it was not near as simple as the uTube video described, due to a few things on the right side that get in the way of an easy install. In fact it was a PITA!
I'll check out the video, and see how adventurous I feel...

Thanks!

 

Rear air struts are much easier to replace. You don't have to detach the upper control arm to remove the strut - just unplug the air line to bleed the air out and collapse the strut.

 

rkw77080,

That looks like it could get me closer to what I need to do.

Now, if I could just understand how to:
-bleed air (SA-170)
-remove rear seat cushion, etc... (BO-57)
-I could probably figure out how to disconnect air tube...(SA-30)

I don't have an 'official' shop manual. Are there other resources for getting 'the bigger picture"?

I appreciate your help! I just want to make sure that I don't turn this into an all-day head-scratchin' an' cussin' adventure!! Been there; done that...

 

The current price for this is $1,601.26 at MyLexusParts. Does that sound close? It seems like the price has increased quite a bit since I replaced the R front a few years ago...

 

There is a forum sponsor here named Arnott, they make front and rear aftermarket air struts that they say are built even better than OEM. However, they lack the automatic electronic damping control - OEM air struts have an electronic actuator mounted on top that dynamically adjusts the "spring rate" of the 4 struts individually based on speed, steering input, car pitch/yaw/roll, road bumpiness, and suspension control switch (sport vs norm, where sport sets the spring rate to stiffest 5 levels of control, and norm sets the spring rate to the softest 5 levels).

So if you don't really care about the automatic suspension damping feature of the LS430, you could save some money by going with an Arnott spring. For the record, my 2002's air suspension still works fine, 17 years in Canada including lots of salty slushy winters, 166,000 kms on the odometer.

 

When I took my 04 to the tire shop they had it on the lift 4 wheels hanging then when they took it off the lift it was completely aired out frame to floor so try to put the car on jack stands , now getting the jack stands out from under will be tricky

 

This is completely normal when lifting all 4 wheels with an air suspension LS430. It will almost bottom out after you lower the car to the ground, you need to turn on the engine to start the air compressor. It should level to normal height within 60 seconds. On this topic, never run the engine with the car fully lifted without disabling the air suspension compressor first, otherwise it will run continuously and throw a continuous-run error code and also decrease its lifespan.