Rear Shock Leaking Rx 450h

[2ddesign]

Hi

Just got back from Lexus Cardiff having had one new tyre fitted, Michelin Latitude Tour HP. (£166)

Safety check report indicates both rear shocks show a small leak, price to repair for just one £283.51.

This seems strange after 54000 miles, but they include a video e-mailed to me of the Technician pointing it out on the arm as a wet patch!

Can a good independent car repair place fix this, or do I use Lexus?

2ddesign

[ChrisKaye]

Does the car still have any form of warranty (with Lexus), and what service history do you have (all Lex stamps?)...

You could source a couple of OEM spec KYB shocks and have Lexus do the job, to be honest, it's a couple of hours for both rear struts to be changed, so at least £200 labour (double an Independent would charge, pretty much).

If you source the shocks yourself, you could save a good few quid, £60-80, and still have the job done at Lexus if you prefer?

[2ddesign]

Hi Chris

The car was purchased privately so no warranty, but all the services before the 60,000 have been done at Lexus Reading.

Your information about the time it takes is useful, and hopefully a simple job?

So I will go to a local garage and ask for a quote, using OEM spec KYB shocks as you have indicated.

Does the picture I posted, show an immediate dangerous problem or is it safe to drive it around for a bit?

Thanks

2ddesign

[ColinBarber]

I should be fine to use for a while and would probably pass an MOT as is.

[ChrisKaye]

As the shocks gradually go, the car will get more bouncier as there is nothing to tame the recoil from the springs on the suspension struts, the ride will also feel softer. When they get really bad, they will become a safety issue as a bump at high speed or on a bend could seriously unsettle the car and could cause you to lose it (spin out/possibly roll it)!

It sounds like you could be some way from this yet tho...!

[2ddesign]

Colin & Chris

Thank you for your informed comments, and I will get the rear shocks sorted in the near future and not next week as I was advised at Lexus!

2ddesign

[ChrisKaye]

From a health & safety/litigation view point, I can understand why the dealer tried to get you to commit then & there, but you were wise enough to double check before plowing on and at least you have time and some different options to mull over!

[2ddesign]

Hi Chris

An update to the price of repair, Lexus Bristol quoted £180 each corner today, Lexus Cardiff £283.51 a corner?

And chatting to a friendly parts supply chap £50 for a rear OEM shock at Lexus/Toyota!

So I am going to ask a local garage for a quote to fit both rear shocks, am I right in thinking its not a specialist job only Lexus can handle?

2ddesign

[ColinBarber]

Lexus on their website quote £395 for shock absorbers (plural so I assume for the pair) under their essentials care ( for vehicles 5 years old and greater).

http://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/#/ServicingYourLexus/LexusEssentialCareRX

[2ddesign]

Hi Colin

Thank you for the information, I contacted Lexus Cardiff and they then realised they had got the pricing wrong at £283.51 a shock. It now is quoted at £170 a shock (Lexus Bristol £180) by reducing their hourly rate to £95 an hour, instead of £115 an hour.

I drove the Lexus to my local MOT centre I have used for 12 years, they put the RX 450h on the ramp and their top mechanic said"there is a small wet patch on the OSR and that is not significant to

worry about". He then looked at the video sent to my e-mail account from the Lexus mechanic and straight away said the ramp the Lexus garage was using allowed the wheels to hang down, as it was using the jacking points. This he said lowered the shocks passed the covers making the top visible and that there is always a small amount of fluid that shows on the stem of the shock!

He said it would only be an advisory at MOT time as you commented Colin. If I was worried they would charge £45 to fit each shock if I purchased them from Lexus at £50 each.

2ddesign