Shock Mounts - for air..

tonych · February 21, 2017

Hi all !!

Can anyone recommend a supplier of shock mounts suitable for air suspension, preferably UK based if possible.

RX300 2003 3l petrol, gas converted.

Thanks!!

NemesisUK · February 21, 2017

The obvious answer is the Lexus dealership parts dept, have you enquired their cost?

tonych · February 21, 2017

Hi, and thanks for the reply

Lexus won't sell the top mount only they will only supply the full strut.

Tony

NemesisUK · February 21, 2017

Is this the part?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-TOP-SHOCK-ABSORBER-STRUT-MOUNT-BEARING-MOUNTING-For-LEXUS-RX300-03-08-/252684751547?fits=Car+Make%3ALexus|Model%3ARX&hash=item3ad52f52bb:g:c4AAAOSwux5YLHHX

or this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-RX300-RX330-RX350-03-08-FRONT-SHOCK-ABSORBER-TOP-STRUT-MOUNT-BEARING-x1-/200830996385

tonych · February 21, 2017

Thanks, but unfortunately not - that one is for the coil suspension not the air suspension (just been to my local parts supplier and that the one he stocks)

The air one has a large bearing below the rubber bushing unit.

Tony

NemesisUK · February 21, 2017

Can you see the part in this diagram?

http://auto-kat.com/index.php?route=saleepc/toyota/parts&region=GEN&modification=6252&group=4803&page=1

tonych · February 21, 2017

I really do appreciate your assistance with this - thank you.

Unfortunately in that diagram it is not shown as a separate item/part (In effect its just a top mount for the shock) - but although it does mechanically come off the strut easily (single nut) it is not shown as a separate item.

in that diagram the 'pin' in the centre of the top three mounting bolts is an externally threaded tube coming out of the air suspension unit. releasing this nut releases the top mount.

That single nut acts on the centre of a decent sized roller bearing - the bearing inner fits on the OD of the tube, the bearing outer is part of the top mount.

unfortunately the bearing is the part that is completely destroyed on mine.

i cannot work out if this is a press fit into the top mount or is fitted inside a pressed housing.

I guess its time for a new strut.. and not just the top mount :(

i will have a go at getting the bearing out - nothing to lose now i guess...

Tony

tonych · February 21, 2017

update-

tried to remove the bearing - no luck (as expected) its inside a pressed steel housing which is bonded to the rubber mounting bush inside the top mount.

so i guess the next question is -

Has anyone converted a RX300 to coils? can they recommend a good supplier for the struts/springs?

regards

Tony

Coxy · February 24, 2017

On 21/02/2017 at 6:00 PM, tonych said:

update-

tried to remove the bearing - no luck (as expected) its inside a pressed steel housing which is bonded to the rubber mounting bush inside the top mount.

so i guess the next question is -

Has anyone converted a RX300 to coils? can they recommend a good supplier for the struts/springs?

regards

Tony

I looked into this quite heavily before purchasing an SE as there were so many SE-L's around but I didn't want the hassle of air bellows going wrong.

From what I have found it's entirely feasible, and likely not too difficult, the shocks look relatively the same length (from pics) with the same mounting brackets.

The mounts on the body should be universal for air/coil - wouldn't be economica for Lexusl to modify a whole chassis just to fit a specific shock, so if I were doing this I would buy one used shock off eBay for 40 quid or whatever (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-RX300-RX-300-Front-front-let-passenger-side-shock-absorber-/272500930604?hash=item3f7252382c:g:KvoAAOSw5cNYY7xw) with a view of getting the wheel off, underarch plastic off and offering it up and checking dimensions and mountings vs my current air shock - once confirmed it offers up okay with no modification I would of taken the plunge to buy 4x good ones and fit them in a day myself.

I ended up finding a nice SE finally so didn't need to follow through on this so as far as my knowledge took me.

MotoManiaq · July 9, 2018

Hi,

did you find a solution of that problem? im. also looking for top mounts, or sth else in my pneumatic suspension :(

foxy-stoat · July 9, 2018

There are so many RX's breaking on the eBay I would just get a secondhand unit and take the risk on the top mount being ok. Prices of a new complete shocks are, well shocking - if you needed 4 new ones your better of buying another car!

MotoManiaq · July 9, 2018

Your right, you just replace top mount? any problems? I try to do this myself, Thanks

foxy-stoat · July 9, 2018

Arrr looks like the top mounts are part of the shock - I would still chance a secondhand unit though, probably best get it from a breaker so the seller can test it before you buy it. Theres one from Romford that breaks lots of RX's.

tonych · July 9, 2018

i replaced all four struts with a set of coilovers.

far better now than the air system and no problems at all

cost £400 plus £100 import tax to uk

Cheers

Tony

The-Acre · July 9, 2018

7 hours ago, tonych said:

i replaced all four struts with a set of coilovers.

far better now than the air system and no problems at all

cost £400 plus £100 import tax to uk

Cheers

Tony

Does the ride feel the same, and did you have any warning lights to deal with, and did you leave the pump in place? It'll be good info for owners of LS430/460's.

tonych · July 9, 2018

the ride is better - but that will be an individual thing - feels better to me - tracks better.

i removed all four struts and the pump

i looked into disabling the warning lights as i read somewhere about potential conflict with the MOT guy. if its there it has to be healthy type conversations - it looked simple enough. but in the end i just tucked a piece of card over the light inside the dash console.

the latest conversation with MOT guy was "i wouldn't care" it wouldn't be a fail

cheers

Tony

Ranjith · October 24, 2019

Hi

after doing so , any warning lights? How did you manage that problem? I have a RX 450h. Hope I can do the same.

thanks

RJ

Mariusz · February 6, 2020

Hi Tony

Where did you get from set of coilovers?

Many thanks

Mariusz

Prince Bob · February 8, 2020

I don't know if you are still looking but there is a company called orchard engineering that can refurbish the shocks for £75 each. Search 'Orchard engineering' on eBay or Google and you will find them.

Good luck