Margate330

I installed the Monroe Quick Strut assemblies from Rock Auto on the rear of my FWD 2004 RX330.

They're ok and very easy to install.

Are they as good as KYB?
No idea but the ones on the car were already spent and wore out anyway. lol

At the time they only made the sets for the rear.

Leeper

For future people who may be looinng at this post her's a breakdown of what I'm looking at to replace my older struts on my RX330

Front struts KYB from Rock Auto - $176 /pr
Front KYB strut Mounts - $100 eBay
Strut bellows - $#5 for all 4 (2 front 2 rear)
Total from w/ bellow - $311

Rear KYB RockAuto - $188
Rear KYB strut mounts - eBay $90
Total Rear - $278

Total for everything all 4 corners - @$600

Labor is not hard if you DIY, labor at an indi garabge should be in the 2-3 hour range so @$250-325, DIY will likley take 4 hours you will need to rent a spring compressor (usually free) from Autozone, O'Reilly's, etc. No alignment needed aftewards shouldn't change any alignment on your car. An impact driver (air, 120V, or battery op is highly recommended). This is a good time to take a look at your suspension bits especially the sway bar links, ball joints, and lower control arm as the bushing are a very common wear item.

Felix

Just to add, I've had issues w/ kyb strut mounts on other vehicles, so I used the oem strut mounts for the rx. IDK if they'd be a issue on rx's, I didn't want to deal w/ it from pass experiences.......

Bax

So. The shop installed all four Mounts, bellows and struts for $625.00.

I normally will do all the maintenance, I do not want to work with the spring compressor.

I thought it was a little high. But they do little things for no charge. I have been doing business with the shop for years. Still very happy with the install.

rlee777

Has anyone who replaced their struts with non-OEM found the subsequent ride to be "jiggly" -- as if the dampening rate of the strut does not match the springs? Each road imperfection feels magnified; the initial jolt is pronounced, but then the response is controlled. Makes for a busier feeling ride.

The OEM RX330 shocks seem to be more hydraulic-based with a lower gas charge. The ride is smoother coming from the slower dampened response of the strut oil. I realize that modern gas struts give a sharper, quicker responsive ride -- maybe this works better with the Highlander rather than the RX330/RX350.

Felix

Your comparing struts w/ age/mileage to new ones. The KYB replacement struts, I find are a great replacement using the oem springs. Its not like they're Bilsteins.

evident

kyb struts on all corners with OEM Strut mounts and springs. They feel as stock to me as i can remember.

rlee777

Would love to have Bilsteins for our RX330s! Found KYBs Excel G series a bit disappointing for the Gen 5 Camry replacement and our Gen 2 RX. OEM replacements, though very expensive, seem to work best overall.

I know some Toyota / Lexus use KYB for OE struts, but these are different than the aftermarket versions