Replacing Shock Absorbers Rx400H - Which Ones To Get?

tom123 · November 30, 2015

Starting to think about replacing the front shocks on my 2005, 92K mile RX. You can get them done at a main dealer for £395, but I presume that this just includes the replacement of the actual shocks, and not any of the mountings or coil insulators etc., which I might as well get done at the same time.

I've looked on RockAuto.com, and seen the Monroe OE spectrum (72212/72211) which seem to have good reviews. Front left and rights struts together come to £186 including shipping (plus extra for customs?). I was hoping that the Monroe struts might give a slightly softer ride than the OEMs, which I think are KYBs if I'm not mistaken.

Just wondering what other people think. I've looked online and can't find a UK supplier of the Monroe OE spectrum struts anywhere. If I get all the parts shipped from the US, I might not actually save any money compared with getting it done at the main dealer. Depends on much much extra Lexus would charge for fitting new mountings etc.

PCM · December 14, 2015

Did you replace them?

Which did you use?

tom123 · December 14, 2015

Did you replace them?

Which did you use?

Not yet. Rock Auto didn't have all of the required parts in stock when I last looked, so I held off. I need to speak to a local mechanic to see what shocks they can order for the RX, as I can't seem to find any from a UK supplier. I was hoping to avoid the OEM shocks as I think Lexus may have supplied slightly firmer ones for the UK market.

ChrisKaye · December 15, 2015

Yeah the UK Lexus RX 300-400 shocks are oil filled KYB units.

Do you think they are an overly 'hard' ride on the 400h?

Some of the Monroe units are gas filled which are much 'softer' but I'm not sure if they'll last as long.

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tom123 · December 16, 2015

Yeah the UK Lexus RX 300-400 shocks are oil filled KYB units.

Do you think they are an overly 'hard' ride on the 400h?

Some of the Monroe units are gas filled which are much 'softer' but I'm not sure if they'll last as long.

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I have noticed a lack of 'suppleness' on my RX400h over sharp ridges/broken tarmac etc. at low speeds - anything around town basically. I was in a colleague's Citroen Picasso recently, and couldn't believe how smoothly it glided over potholes and rough roads compared to my car.

I don't think it's the tyres (Michelin Latitude Tour HP), and I usually have the them slightly under-inflated (30-32 PSI) anyway. I was hoping some new shocks might improve things, but I was wary of fitting the OEM KYB shocks and then finding the ride even firmer. To be honest, I'm sure any shocks that I get will last well beyond any miles I put on the car, so I wasn't really concerned about their lifespan.