surfher

Greetings,

I replaced the liftgate lift stay struts on my 2015 RX. Part 68960-0e030 is now superceded by 68960-0e160. Hopefully this is an improvement only time will tell. In comparing the old and new, the orientation arrows pointing at the liftgate have changed 180 on the new part. The gas cylinder is now mounted on the bottom when the liftgate is closed vice the top. Talked to the Lexus dealer and he said mount it the same as you took off the old one. Not sure this is correct with the new manufacturer, I mounted them with the arrows pointing correctly at the liftgate. Would the new part really have the arrows reversed and wrong on it? Interesting problem. That's why I bought OEM to avoid this kind of stuff, ha ha. Would like to hear from someone at Lexus if this is an issue and what is the correct mounting? Any way to find out the specs between the two to see if its an upgrade or just a cheaper manufacturer as I suspect? Thanks in advance.

ThChinaman

I replaced the liftgate struts on my 2010 back in June because the liftgate started to droop for the better part of a year before that. Took a few bumps to the head to take initiative. I replace them with 68950-0E160 and 68960-0E160 and I couldn't be happier. Even though I don't remember how my original ones felt when new, these feel much stronger, better gaskets and good paint. The old ones had a bit of rust as well. New ones, strut body is mounted on the body of the car and extends out towards the liftgate.

surfher

Mine are mounted opposite strut piston is mounted on body and the cannister is mounted on the bottom of the door. One Lexus parts guy told me that is the way it showed on his diagrams. In truth they probably work either way. My old struts on the 2015 had rust also and the car was garaged? These look improved with the all black body and the smaller diameter cannister possibly made to fit in the new orientation. I bet 99% of the Lexus Techs don't even look at the arrows when they install them they just look at how the old one was installed.