how much can I expect to pay to replace all 4 shocks at Lexus or Toyota dealer?

my RX300 has just reached 100,000.... I'm wondering if new shocks are
needed...

Thanks!

 

Test for shocks:

Park at a level surface.

walk to each corner and push the end down and let go.

If the shocks are fine, RX should spring up, then come down (almost half way) and stop. If the shocks are bad , then after letting go, the RX will bounce up, then down and up again.

If you drive on paved (smooth) roads the shocks can last more than 100k.

For Lexus repair cost, give them a call and find out.

Salim

 

the two nearest Lexus dealers want $1200 to $1400 to replace all four
shocks. (prices do not include 4-wheel alignment afterwards)

 

My Lexus dealer wanted much more than that, more like $2K for all four.

 

Mine too! But unless they are leaking or you have handling issues, they are probably fine.

 

I went in at about 98K with a 'clicking' noise that was occuring during hard cornering, and the stealership said it was the front passenger side shock that they were done and causing the clicking and leaking. They said the other three looked bad too and were probably going to go soon, so he said he could do all four and give me a "discount." Ended up being $1480 before tax for all four and alignment.

Honestly, I got the vehicle used at 44K and after the change, didn't really feel any difference at all with handling or feeling any tighter. Still feels like a big floating boat... just the way I like it...

 

Yeah,like the old Grand Torino`s right??...........

 

my RX300 now rides like a Lincoln Town Car.... come to think of it, the
Lincoln Town Car that I rented while on vacation last week had better handling
through tight corners than my RX300...

 

I recently drove a friend's 2006 RX350, and it handled noticeably better than my 1999 RX300 ever did. What explains the difference?

 

It's got a better turning radius for one. I very much liked the handling of the RX330 the first time I took a drive of one and over Christmas last year took a drive of the RX350 and also an excellent handling vehicle. The handling/steering was one of the major things that people complained about with the first gen RX, so no doubt they sought to improve this.

 

I can tell you that replacing shocks on the RX300 is not rocket science. Any independent shop should be able to do this for a lot less than Toyota or Lexus. The major issue is compressing the springs. Literally, if I had a spring compressor I could do this myself right in the same place where I park.

 

I will be doing this myself and have a spring compressor and all the other necessary tools, but even at discounted prices from on-line suppliers the parts involved appear to cost about $1,000. And although I am certain that the insulators, bump stops, maybe mount plates, etc are bad (noticeable clunks, etc.) I am not convinced that the struts themselves have failed. However, if I'm going to take everything out and apart, it doesn't seem to make sense to not replace the struts while I'm at it. Anyone disagree?

 

What kind of shocks are you going to be using and what prices are you seeing?

 

Not sure what brand - KYB perhaps? - but the prices for the struts alone from Lexus of Roseville are $125 per side front and $164 per side rear. Haven't priced Carson yet.

 

Going fast, see Tire Rack, http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/S...lar=&brand=all (note that the AWDs are different in the rear).

KYBs are what I have.