GOHRD15

Can anybody recommend some good front/back struts. And did you do your own ?

Bocatrip

If you truly want to keep the Lexus Ride go OEM. Yes more expensive, but the ride will remain the same. No need to get the entire assembly. The shock and a few additional parts may be all that is needed, depending upon your mileage and condition of car. FYI... Lexus did my fronts, and if needed I'll have an independent do my rears when necessary.

Romanova

I recently did the fronts with KYBs. If I had to do it over, I would spend the money on OEM.

MickTheQ

This might be a dumb question, but is there an age/mileage where it would make sense to have a mechanic look over the suspension system as preventive maintenance? I have a 2006 with 130K that I got a month ago. It seems to ride pretty well but harsher than I expected of an LS. This is my first LS 430 so I don't have a good reference point. Is something worn or is that how it is supposed to be? I drove a 2022 ES350 for a couple of weeks and that had a nice compliant ride (a kind of ride that I had expected of LS 430), which made me wonder.

Bocatrip

Tires are often overlooked to be a contributing factor to ride characteristics. Your car most likely has 18s which ride harsher than 17s on the 01-03s. Also the type/brand of your tire might also be a cause.

bradland

Agree 100%

With 18” wheels there is a noticeable difference between V rated tires and W rated.
I installed Yokohama W rated when I bought my 06 in 2017 but a couple years ago, because of availability and timing, put 2 V rated on the front.
The front end suddenly felt loose in comparison so those 2 tires were phased out quickly.
Granted, the W rated tires might feel stiff to someone else…

Romanova

At this point, a lot of things are probably due to be addressed. Struts, sway bar bushings and links, front lower control arm rear bushings, etc.

HiPatrick

KYB's... though I am finding that the price is going up and actually close to the OEM set 48510-80307 (Front) 48530-80241 (Rear). In that case, I would just fork out the slight extra for the OEM parts that I have listed. If you are doing a bit lowering, then the RS-R springs are the most preferred. If you are keeping it factory, reuse the original springs and put that money towards other parts like the ball-joints, transmission mounts/engine mounts, tie rods etc.

JffGRY706

now I am confused. I thought the OEM was KYB. I think Monroe makes an OEM equivalant. I thought KYB made a cheap shock and a more expensive good shock.

HiPatrick

The KYB struts that you see on RockAuto or most parts stores, are a more generic version with very minor tweaking. The KYB struts that came factory on a Lexus LS430 were tuned specifically for the car as requested by Toyota. They have different materials too, I believe.

JffGRY706

well now , hold on the spark plugs that came on the car are not as good as the ones recommended today, and the tires that came on the car are not as good as the tires they sell today. maybe the shocks struts today are also better if you use synthetic oil, that is not OEM.

bradland

The genuine Lexus/Toyota struts sold today are likely better than what was originally installed.
There's a big difference between OEM and OE.
Autozone (Duralast) sell "OEM" parts I wouldn't put on my car if they paid me...

Ellesse

Replacing 15-20 year old shocks is going to feel different, I don't think anyone can truly say "yes this is/is not exactly how the car rode when new" (particularly when most of us bought them used to begin with). The new KYB or whatever you use are always going to feel firmer than what you just took out. Couple that to that fact that the entire rest of the suspension including rubber, springs, etc are also 15-20 years old, trying to replicate the original ride is nigh impossible.
I don't think it matters where you get your struts as long as they are from a reputable brand.

pmesfun

Like another poster stated about KYB Excel-G aftermarket struts are getting close to the price of OEM. Makes sense to spend a little more and get OEM.