RX in NC

2015 RX350 FWD approaching 46,000 miles. The 4-year / 50,000-mile warranty expired not quite two months ago.

A couple of days ago the two hood struts barely held the hood up in the raised position while I was checking the fluids in the engine bay. As the outside air temperatures drop, I expect these struts to lose their ability to function properly. I will contact Lexus to ask for some goodwill assistance but if they refuse, I will be looking for a good pair of aftermarket hood struts because they are so much more cost-effective. Does anyone have any recommendations on a replacement pair that has worked well for you?

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

These work well.

RX in NC

Duly noted - thank you. I wonder if this aftermarket version (with a limited lifetime warranty) is significantly better than the OEM Lexus version.

I just left a voicemail for our local Lexus dealership's customer care rep. Let's see if he will offer a goodwill replacement since this vehicle is barely out of warranty.

Clutchless

The OEM Lexus version costs 4 times as much as the aftermarket. I too have aftermarket struts on my hood and rear hatch. All work fine and do the job of lifting and holding them up. No problems.

RX in NC

Agreed. If our local Lexus customer care rep will not pony up a pair of free OEM replacements, I will order a pair of aftermarket ones.

m1964

Sachs stabilius from rockauto work well

RX in NC

The local customer care rep turned me down on a free replacement set of OEM hood struts. I believe the fact that they know I am a DIY maintenance/repairs guy had a lot to do with their decision - they have only seen this vehicle a couple of times for warranty work since we purchased it in late October last year.

This is my wife's third RX since 2003 (a 2000 RX300 AWD, a 2004 RX330 AWD, and now a 2015 RX350 FWD). Lexus was certainly far more generous with their customer goodwill efforts 12 to 15 years ago. While the build quality on this 2015 RX350 is better than it was on her 2000 RX300, I believe the 2004 RX330 had a better build quality than this 2015 RX350 does. Time will tell.

RX in NC

Regarding the Strongarm hood shocks/lifters linked in post no. 2 above:

The failing factory hood lifters on my wife's 2015 RX350 are removed by using a small flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the metal spring clips that hold them in position on the metal pivot ***** bolted onto the underside of the hood and onto the edge of the interior fender frame inside the engine bay. The two lower metal spring clips look to be very difficult to access because there is no working room around them.

It appears that these aftermarket Strongarm replacement hood lifters do not use this metal spring clip system to hold them in place. Are they simply pressed into position on the metal pivot ***** using a big screwdriver? I like the idea of not having to fool with those metal spring clips after getting rid of the factory hood lifters.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Yes, they push straight on. However, the Strong Arm have the same attachment clips as the OEM. I think you have to remove the piece of sight shield that holds the gasket along the edge of the seam of the hood and fender to have enough room to pop the old off and new on. Someone that has done this may want to chime in. I have been about ready to buy a set also as I have a 2015 and they are very weak. I have used this brand on a number of Lexus vehicles and they have always worked as well as the OEM.

RX in NC

Thanks for the additional details.

Okay, for those of you who have already replaced your factory hood lifters, how did you remove the difficult-to-access metal spring clips at the bottom end of each hood lifter?

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

I just watched a YouTube video on a 2010 RX and they did not remove the plastic trim. They just used a screwdriver to pop off both the top and bottom sockets. It looked very easy.

RX in NC

Perhaps the 2010 model had more working room at the base of the hood lifters. That area will be very difficult to access on my wife's 2015 model without removing the surrounding trim to get to the lower metal spring clips..

I ordered a pair of the Strongarm hood lifters yesterday. They should arrive by next Wednesday or Thursday. I will report back regarding my removal / installation hassles.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Sounds great. I will look forward to what you have to say. The 2010 had the exact trim pieces our 2015 does. So, if it worked on a 2010 it should work on a 2105.

2008M3

where did u order it from?

RX in NC

I ordered my pair from the amazon.com link shown in post no. 2 above.