Chasboy

Hi Folks, I’ve been here before but never spent much time. At my last dealer service, I complained about suspension squeaking over rough roads. I was told I have a leaking rear shock/strut for the tune of $400+ and need new rear control armsfor approximately $1500. Very recently, the door lock chime stopped chiming when I lock the doors.
I was wondering if anyone has encountered any of this and how did you solve the problem. I’m no automobile rookie and have a hard time believing I need entire control arms for a noise that has to be bushing related.
In addition, Lexus is supposed to be a ‘superior’ brand, and it strange to me that basic parts would break down at the 40k mark.
thanks everyone!

Clutchless

Welcome to CL. These are both well-known suspension issues. These are repairs where it is far cheaper to have another independent shop do the work instead of a Lexus dealer. What year is your RX as they claimed to have fixed the leaking shocks by 2012.

The rear ones are shocks not struts and they are easy to install. It takes me less than an hour to swap out both rear shocks.

The rear shocks are known for leaking and you can get OEM Lexus replacements online for about $40 each. One place to get them is https://www.mylparts.com/

It is actually the rear trailing arm bushings that usually crack and cause the squeaking. The OEM Lexus rear trailing arms are around $200 - $300 each. You can get Mevotech brand aftermarket ones from RockAuto for about $80 each. You cannot just replace the bushing.
I have the Mevotech arms and plan to install them in my RX this week. https://www.rockauto.com/ Others have used them with no problems.

I suspect the labor from an independent shop will be a lot less for the rear control arms. It only involves 4 bolts to take them off!

You can also get aftermarket rear shocks by KYB, Sachs or Monroe at RockAuto. Most get KYB. They are about $60 each.

Try searching this site for "leaking shocks" and also "rear trailing arms" for more information.

Chasboy

Wow, that was a ton of info! Seems like I can fix everything for a couple of hundred bucks? Are there YouTube videos to help? OR a particular youtuber who specializes in Lexus?
I have a 2013, we just passed 50k miles.

Chasboy

Been doing some reading. How do I find the right part for the car when a few are listed?

rababich

Is there a rough mileage for replacing the rear shocks or front struts?
Our 2012 has 80k and still feels fine, but past experience has me wondering.
I think the KYB rear shocks are 349203 Excel-G Gas Shock, Amazon - $68/ea, Rock Auto - $64/ea.

Chasboy

Clutchless, Thank you for correcting my terminology. I have the dealer diagnosis in front of me and it states:

1. “recommend replacement of rear trailing arms, $1614 w/ align, $129+tax.”
2. ”rear passenger shock leaking, recommend replacement in pairs, $465+tax”

I was hoping for part numbers but at least I have the terminology correct. When I looked up the parts, I found a number of descriptions that were slightly confusing.
Our car is the regular, non-F sport model, AWD.
thanks to all for your help!

Clutchless

For OEM parts such as shocks you need to know if your car is Japan built (VIN begins with J) or Canada built.

For aftermarket it does not matter if your car is Japan or Canada built. It probably makes little difference for OEM either.

Here is a link to the RockAuto page with the rear trailing arms and shocks.

Mevotech rear left trailing arm CMS861145
Mevotech rear right trailing arm CMS861146 both are $63.99

KYB rear shocks ( both left and right are the same part) 349203

Call local shops to find one that will let you bring your own parts. Some won't as it is a part of their profit.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+absorber,7556

Chasboy

Thanks again. My vin starts with 2T2, so I know it’s a Canada car.
Are you aware of any videos or other instructions for replacement of the trailing arms?

Chasboy

Hi folks, about a month ago the ‘chime/bell’ sound that we used to hear when locking the doors either with the remote or touching the sensor area on the door handle stopped working.
Has this happened to anyone else, and what is the fix? I did some cursory research on google and saw mention of a module in a wheel well? I’s a 2013 Canada built car that just passed 50k miles.
Thanks!

Clutchless

I am not aware of any videos for replacing the rear trailing arms and cannot find my CD repair manual. Someone else has already done it and maybe they can answer. Look for their thread regarding chassis squeak.
It is only 4 bolts, 2 at each end. The big question is which ones to remove first. Most shops have online access to all this data so it is not an issue if you are taking it somewhere.

Look at this thread as it has photos of the bad bushing on the trailing arm https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...le-thread.html