jasone36

Friends,

I purchased a 2002 SC430 with 100K+ miles recently. I've love it, but seem to have an issue with one of the struts or shocks. Whenever I hit even a minor pothole, I hear a massive bump from right rear corner and feel a powerful wooble from that corner. A non-Lexus mechanic looked at it and said the hydraulic fluid is completely leaked out of this shock/strut (not sure on the terminology).

I am a complete newbie to suspension issues, I would please ask for anyone to explain specifically which part I need to address (do I replace the "shock", the "strut", or can the "hydraulic fluid" simply be refilled to whereever it is missing?)

I am not looking to lower the car (I plan to drive it year-round), I am simply looking for the most cost-effecient solution to get rid of the woobling when I hit potholes.

If anyone has any suggestions please chime in, I would very much appreciate it (I have reviewed other threads, but I can't get a decent understading of what part I would need to get replaced).

Thank you very much in advance.

Poqman

I looked at Sewell's Lexus website and it appears you need part number 4853080037 for the "SHOCK ABSORBER, REAR STRUT RH - RIGHT / PASSENGER SIDE MARK 48530-24230". Sells for $165.48 plus shipping. However, I would replace both sides at the same time. Labor will set you back a little because the rear is harder to replace than the front. Since you seem happy with the OEM setup, I won't try to convince you to go with a set of coilovers, but with 100k+ miles, you need the fronts replaced too. The cost of OEM parts for the front and rear is not that different from a set of Megan EZ's. You should think about it if you can find a local mechanic to help with the install.

Bon

Wow! I'm blown away by the cost of OEM shocks. I ordered two front shocks from Sewell this past May and paid under $43 each. They're now $149. Earthquake? Weak dollar? Wow!

Harold57

Interesting. When I did a search on Park Place Lexus parts, it showed front struts being $47.90 each and the rears being $180.50. I couldn't find the front struts on the Sewell site (could be a user's error) but the rear struts were shown. Perhaps I'm looking at the wrong items.

Bon

(48530 and 48540) that is 48530-24300 for the rear shocks.

jasone36

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses, I will look into these options.

jasone36

I have looked further into this, and indeed the prices vary wildly. One dealer quoted $245 per unit for the rear shock absorber, another dealer $275, and Sewell over the phone quoted $197.54 (the ClubLexus discount brings it down to $165.48).

I am now considering getting all four done due to the high mileage on the car, as Poqman (above) suggested.

My goal is to make the ride over potholes as smooth as possible. Am I correct in saying that the stock OEM shocks are the best way to go for the smoothest ride on the SC430? Just clearing it up before I place the order.

Please chime in friends, thank you very much.

jzwu

Yes. Probably best quality too.

One other option is the coilovers, but they are usually firmer and more expensive.

srqmark

iTrader: (3)

I just received my Lexus shocks and struts. I purchased the front shocks from Park Place Lexus for $106.30 shipped, and the rear struts from Sewell Lexus for $343.05 shipped (includes the Club Lexus discount). Its going to be another $100-$150 to have my mechanic to install them. My mechanic told me to buy them, because he couldn't get them that cheap.

jasone36

Out of curiosity, I stopped in Advanced Auto Parts to see if they offer any alternatives, turns out they do not sell the rear shocks, and the front ones they sell at around $170 a piece (a lot more than the dealer, it appears, strange).

whitels

Tell us how the ride improved after you have the new shocks/struts installed, ok?