Struts and tires
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a 2002 RX300 FWD. 75K miles. Do I need to change the struts or shocks? How would I know if and when they need changing? Also, anyone recommend a decent set of tires instead of the stock Integrity's?Thx.
#2
Super Moderator
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-smod2.gif)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Welcome to the Club.
The answer is it depends.
First, if you are keeping the air pressure in your tires at normal (some like to keep for mpg reasons), then you might just notice some creaking or some noise coming from the struts or shocks. Struts or shocks aren't something you replace at a certain mileage interval, but just go bad due to the treatment the vehicle got. If you don't believe me, ask me about how it was in Mexico City and the pounding those shocks took. However, on U.S. roads it's going to be a largely different story.
I dumped the Integritys about 5 months after I got my RX300 and went with Michelin Cross Terrains, the 235-70-16 size (works fine even though 225-70-16 is the stock size) and I've been running them since July 2002 (though a few sets since then) and they work perfectly in Mexico.
The answer is it depends.
First, if you are keeping the air pressure in your tires at normal (some like to keep for mpg reasons), then you might just notice some creaking or some noise coming from the struts or shocks. Struts or shocks aren't something you replace at a certain mileage interval, but just go bad due to the treatment the vehicle got. If you don't believe me, ask me about how it was in Mexico City and the pounding those shocks took. However, on U.S. roads it's going to be a largely different story.
I dumped the Integritys about 5 months after I got my RX300 and went with Michelin Cross Terrains, the 235-70-16 size (works fine even though 225-70-16 is the stock size) and I've been running them since July 2002 (though a few sets since then) and they work perfectly in Mexico.
#4
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: TX
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'd vote for Michelin LTX M/S, stock size. They do pretty well on snow, wet pavement or dry conditions. Look for a sale on Michelin at Costco and for the free lifetime warranty (the package comes with other free extra perks, like free 5k miles rotation, free flat repair etc.). I drove my car, with these tires on, in temperatures ranging from -40F to 110F and they performed perfectly for the last 30k miles. They still look like they have another 50k miles on them.
Regarding the struts and shocks, you already have the best and true opinion above: it all depends on the roads and the abuse your car got or will get. Local example: if you drive mostly on I-95 or similar, you might never need to change them, but if you drive on bad roads, similar to those in the City, then... fuhgeddaboudit
, you'll end up changing them (and some other parts) at 100k, just like I did.
Regarding the struts and shocks, you already have the best and true opinion above: it all depends on the roads and the abuse your car got or will get. Local example: if you drive mostly on I-95 or similar, you might never need to change them, but if you drive on bad roads, similar to those in the City, then... fuhgeddaboudit
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#5
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just put on Kuhmo Solus KR21's on the RX. Very nice tire. Quieter and smoother than the X-Terrains (now discontinued) at 1/2 the price. Went with the stock 225-70R-16 size. I would highly recommend these tires for any RX. They are a very good tire, and I don't think you will find anything better for the price.
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thanks. I just had Firestone destination LE's put on. Ride seems quite already but we'll see I guess. I think I do need struts as the car bounces a little on braking....I had the alignment done too but the steering wheel is still off centre very slightly and is annoying. Anyone know how to remove the steering wheel and re-align it so it's straight? Will doing this affect the airbag light on the cluster?
#7
Lexus Test Driver
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Take it back to where you got it aligned if it hasn't been 90 days yet and they should take care of the problem.
My RX's steering wheel is off center by a tad , but the car still tracks straight. I don't want to spend $65 to just get the steering wheel straight.
My RX's steering wheel is off center by a tad , but the car still tracks straight. I don't want to spend $65 to just get the steering wheel straight.
Trending Topics
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
had the alignment adjusted second time in one week but the car still veers to the left on the highway..doesn't matter which lane or which highway. The alignment is supposedly okay as is the balancing. Any ideas? I drive a couple of hundered miles up the highway every day so it's really annoying to constantly pull the steering to the right.
#12
Super Moderator
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-smod2.gif)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I went with the KYB GR2 shocks when I did change over, though.
#13
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well I live in California San Francisco specifically and mostly on flat road but kinda want a smoother ride not having the car react to small bumps... I found the rx350 to be somewhat smoother ride with it's suspension. Anything I can get or do to not have to feel every little bump when driving?
#14
Super Moderator
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-smod2.gif)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well I live in California San Francisco specifically and mostly on flat road but kinda want a smoother ride not having the car react to small bumps... I found the rx350 to be somewhat smoother ride with it's suspension. Anything I can get or do to not have to feel every little bump when driving?