DMPesso

Thinking about replacing the struts on my 06 330 AWD with 121k. Some cars I’ve replaced strut mounts and the old ones looked completely fine so just wondering how the rx mounts are. Did anyone change just the struts? I did front and rear struts and only front mounts in my GS and the old ones seemed fine. Rather not waste money if I don’t have to.

iMSQ

If you are going to install OEM mounts - do it, otherwise - don't (if your current mounts are OK).

mjlife

Hello,

I'm new to CL and I have a 2006 sc430. I wanted to know how much of a difference when replacing old lexis shocks with oem. Are they noticeably tighter/stiffer? Or, are coilovers a better purchase for a smooth ride?

mjlife

Hello, I'm new to club lexus and noticed you were talking about replacing old shocks with OEM shocks. I have a 2006 sc430 with 130000 miles and I'm looking at new shocks or coilovers. Do new oem shocks feel that much different from the worn shocks? are they worth the money and are they noticeably stiffer than the old shocks?

Thanks,

DMPesso

Welcome to CL! Hell yes. I had a gs430 so basically same car. Big difference when you replace with new oem shocks. Rides like a new car again. Unless your shocks aren’t that bad to begin with. I wouldn’t bother with coil overs, nothing rides as good as the oem shocks that the car was designed with. Thanks for hijacking my thread btw ;-)

DMPesso

Yea OEM. Hard to tell by looking at them that’s my problem.

MattRX

Usually the mounts last the life of the car and I only saw one go bad at the dealership I worked at (it was a relatively new Sienna too - a 2015). They have a sealed bearing probably like your GS, and the bearing itself is also able to be ordered separately if the rest of the mount is in good condition.

I feel as if there isn't a problem that causes the mount to eat itself up, it'll run for a VERY long time. I reused the mounts on my '14 RX, but on my Highlander I replaced them because the studs were heavily corroded. Present day me would have wire-wheeled the studs and reused them, but you live and learn.

DMPesso

I had no idea thanks! Deff not ordering the mounts then. It was a waste when I changed them on my GS the old ones looked fine but I did it anyway for precaution since my mechanic recommended it.

mjlife

Sorry about the high jacking, i'm still figuring out how to navigate this site. I do very much appreciate your thoughts on the oem shocks. I didn't want to spend a lot of money and have the shocks still too soft and bumpy over the small stuff. I love the smoothness of the lexus, just wanted it to feel a little more stuck to the ground over the bumps. Probably new shocks and thicker sway bars should give me what I'm looking for. Thanks again for your opinion/experience.

MattRX

TRW has a smoking deal on shocks on Rockauto right now for about 40 ea. The front right wasn’t in stock so I got it for cheap on Autobarn and saved a ton.

It’s hard to have good and cheap at the same time, especially with the labour. I would go with the 2010-2015 Lexus RX350 front sway bar and an Ultra-Racing rear sway bar or the new rear sway bar Addco is making for the 2004-2009 RX. I have the Addco rear bar and a 2015 RX350 front sway bar on my Highlander and that is a setup which is hard to beat. Smooth ride with little body roll and no understeer. The stock sway bar end links didn’t fit so I had to use 2007-2009 Lexus ES350 links.

Get ready to fork out the cash to install the front bar though if you don’t DIY it. It took me 8 hrs to get it in the car. Gotta unbolt the steering rack and disconnect a lot of other parts.

Margate330

Plz, warning to everyone.

KYB strut mounts and bearings are inferior junk compared to oem.
Don't care if anyone says they are made in same factory as the ones used by Lexus and sent me pics for proof- they are in no way similar quality.

The bearings compared side by side are obvious junk and feel crusty and cheap when spinning, obvious costs were cut to get price down.
My original mounts never made a sound at 150k miles however my KYB mounts make noise sometimes and are NEW. lol

Not trying to be hard on KYB but it is not oem quality- closer to cheap aftermarket or at least not much better than anything else out there, and these are just my opinion.

DMPesso

Yup. There isn’t really quality that is as good as OEM. I hate when people say get KYB it’s the same as stock. Anytime I change a car to non stock especially a Lexus it never rides as good.

MattRX

The KYB mounts I got for my Highlander were cheap crap compared to OEM and they have that waxy plastic smell them too. They're still working three years later but I regret throwing out my old mounts. The struts however, are fantastic quality, made in Japan pieces for an affordable price.

DMPesso

Just to update for any future readers. The old mounts were fine. Reused them. Only thing I should’ve gotten was the rear bellows or black rubber thing that covers the shock from elements since the bottoms was all torn up since those has bottomed out. Otherwise all was good just changing the 4 struts only

GB42

Hi: Also own 2006 sc430 with 45k mi, all 4 shocks are leaking, what solution did you find and how are they working?
Thanks
gb42@verizon.net