pappy97

My 2007 LS460 L with air suspension is at the Lexus Dealer getting some work done and they called to say one of the front struts is leaking. I'm closing in on 93k miles, and just bought the car a few months ago, so I wouldn't know how long this has been going on. No noticeable signs though of anything, it drives great and smooth as you'd expect.

How much time, roughly, do you guys think I have until I need to replace it? I want to shop around the reputable indep Lexus mechanics (non-dealer) and see what they quote me for it. My dealer is quoting $2300. I know it's going to be in that range, but I'd still like to see what the indep Lexus mechanics can do.

Gillz460L

Is it leaking oil or air? If its driving without an issue i would continue to drive it until its neccessary to change it.

riknchar

It's hard to say how long it will be before the ride becomes noticeably uncomfortable - but there's no compelling reason that I know of to not just ride it out until it fails. And when you need to replace it, I believe the air strut retail price is around $1600, and it is very easy for a mechanic to replace. Someone on this forum recently replaced their air strut with a nice condition used one purchased for $625, I think. Bottom line is there's no need/benefit to letting the Lexus stealership do the work for big bucks...

pappy97

Thanks....Actually, I see that the Arnott air strut for my car is $799, maybe less through other retailers. https://www.arnottindustries.com/as-...-left-or-right

How many hours do you think it'll take a competent mechanic to replace? This might be far cheaper than I've been anticipating/dreading.

213374U

The problem with the above line of thinking is that when the bag on one of these struts fail, that corner of the car will sit on the pavement making the car completely undriveable. Is this acceptable? It might be if you never drive more than 50 miles from home and are prepared for the flatbed fee and inconvenience when it finally goes. But if you plan to make any long distance drives this is not something that I would put off.

Yup, I ordered a used AWD Front Air Strut off a 600hL with 58K miles on it and have had zero problems. Will it last as long as a new one? Maybe, my front right shock was replaced at 32K according to service records so longevity is always a question with air struts. But even if I only get 40K miles out of it, it will have still costed me less overall than if I bent over and let the stealership take care of it.

Replacing it myself was WAY easier than I thought it would be, no special tools needed beyond a pitman puller to separate the steering linkage from the hub. Took maybe 30 minutes from removing the old one to having the new one installed and everything put back together, in my garage, and with simple hand tools. Arnott has a video on their site as to how to replace LS 460 air struts.

Another user here just went with the Arnott struts for his rear replacement and is having a bunch of issues, to include receiving a bad strut straight out of the box. These are still very new as an aftermarket option so be wary of that.

A competent mechanic can make the change in a half-hour, but that's not what the billable hours will be. They are very different things and are what separate a profitable mechanic shop from one that's going under.

TriC

One potential problem with putting off replacement is that at some point the compressor may start working hard to replace leaking air, possibly damaging the compressor. IIRC, the cost of a new compressor is on the order of $3000.

Gillz460L

^^ this is the reason why i asked if its leaking air or oil out of the strut. To be honest the oem air bag in these struts are constructed very well...most of the time oil will leak out causing dampening issues and noise. If its leaking oil then he can drive it till it needs replacing. If its losing air then obviously priority changes.

TexasTea

Excellent point.

Also since when 1 air strut goes out, then likely the remaining 3 will be near going out too, so I have watched this eBay item set of 4 air struts selling for $1200.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Set-Front...2/323292862913

riknchar

From what I've seen and read on this forum, the air strut failures are pretty random. One may fail at 40K, but the others may last to 100K in the same car. Some parts wear fairly evenly, so if you one of them is worn out, the others are probably close behind, but I don't think the air strut failures are like that. That being said, having "spare" air struts around for when one does fail is probably not a bad idea, if the price is right (like all 4 for $1200 on eBay).

abdulaleis

my 460 LS 2016 front left is leaking I found new Strut Formula plus ( USA made ) is as good as the original or Arnott.
thanks

XF40FSPORT

Personally, I would be very skeptical about these, BUT, please do update us after you install and provide a review, if possible.

abdulaleis

I've installed it since OCT. 2 , i drive more than 2000 Km so far so good , smooth and as OEM.

THE_CEO

Thanks for the update.