rx450h top mount removal, air suspension

welland · April 30, 2023

On 1/29/2023 at 10:37 PM, Vadim said:

The top mount is actually a removable part. No need to send the whole strut around. Just unscrew the top nut on the strut axle (manual always suggest to do it with special tools, but it is always done with just an impact wrench with a deep socket), and knock the mount at sides if the bearing stuck on the shock axle.

I am still confused by the fact that neither Toyota nor aftermarket suppliers sell the mount separately.

Does the whole strut with the air bag have to be removed from the car to remove the top mount bearing? Or can the top mount bearing be removed just by lowering the strut?

welland · April 30, 2023

I've just found this on eBay. Waiting to hear from the supplier if fits struts with air bags instead of springs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fits-LEXUS-RX350-RX450H-2008-2015-FRONT-L-R-TOP-STRUT-SHOCKER-MOUNTING-BEARING-/265164652264?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Tbirdsteve · June 24, 2023

On 5/1/2023 at 11:18 AM, welland said:

I've just found this on eBay. Waiting to hear from the supplier if fits struts with air bags instead of springs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fits-LEXUS-RX350-RX450H-2008-2015-FRONT-L-R-TOP-STRUT-SHOCKER-MOUNTING-BEARING-/265164652264?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

The pics show it's for coil spring but I (and others) need the (non-existent?) part for air suspension. Previous owner of mine said their mechanic tried that part with no joy.

I'm going to try the Avensis part mentioned earlier as new strut assembly is $1300 delivered where I live and double from dealer.

Tbirdsteve · June 24, 2023

On 1/30/2023 at 11:33 AM, Vadim said:

I doubt anyone has tried it. Best keep your car on stands while posting the mounts to Orchard Engineering and back.

Mind to support the wishbone in neutral position to avoid prolonged stress to the bushes (they will crack if you leave the car with wheels all way down for a few days).

I'm going to try the Avensis part due to the insane price of a new strut where I live ($1300 delivered online, $2500 dealer).

If I survive the spirited mountain driving testing it will endure then I will post about it.

Vadim · June 26, 2023

On 6/24/2023 at 5:08 AM, Tbirdsteve said:

I'm going to try the Avensis part due to the insane price of a new strut where I live ($1300 delivered online, $2500 dealer).

If I survive the spirited mountain driving testing it will endure then I will post about it.

Don’t throw away the original mount - you can replace the bearing or sell it as is - these parts are in high demand, even in need of service.

Also get branded Avensis mounts - some aftermarket parts start to fall in pieces in hands. Febi / BluePrint, Napa, NK - any name with at least some reputation will assure certain level of quality.

Vadim · June 26, 2023

Note on removal the struts:

It is technically possible to release air, compress the shock and remove mount without unwinding the bottom of the shock (I did that on mine), but it is still much easier to remove the two bolts holding the shock at the bottom and remove the whole strut. You’ll need braker bar and 22mm socket for that bolts.

You may need wheel alignment after re-installing the strut, as there is 1-2mm clearance in how you can position the bolts at the bottom. Chances are the toe and camber will change a bit. You can check toe later with a usual laser meter.

Vadim · June 26, 2023

On 5/1/2023 at 12:18 AM, welland said:

I've just found this on eBay. Waiting to hear from the supplier if fits struts with air bags instead of springs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fits-LEXUS-RX350-RX450H-2008-2015-FRONT-L-R-TOP-STRUT-SHOCKER-MOUNTING-BEARING-/265164652264?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

These won’t work for air struts because they use very different bearing. In air suspension it is a small ball bearing.

Vadim · June 26, 2023

On 5/1/2023 at 12:16 AM, welland said:

Does the whole strut with the air bag have to be removed from the car to remove the top mount bearing? Or can the top mount bearing be removed just by lowering the strut?

I replaced mine by lowering the strut. But it was no fun, as even without air the shock is difficult to hold compressed all the way by one hand while removing / re-installing the top mount with the other hand. I would recommend removing the whole strut assembly. But then you may have a problem with stabiliser link nuts, which are often difficult to remove cleanly.

As some say, suspension usually involve a great deal of controlled brute force…

Alfamabo · June 26, 2023

7 hours ago, Vadim said:

Don’t throw away the original mount - you can replace the bearing or sell it as is - these parts are in high demand, even in need of service.

Also get branded Avensis mounts - some aftermarket parts start to fall in pieces in hands. Febi / BluePrint, Napa, NK - any name with at least some reputation will assure certain level of quality.

Can you, please, give us dimensions, manufacturers number or specification of the top mount bearing?

I am not in UK, so cant do it at Orchard Engineering (which would be the easiest solution).

Vadim · July 8, 2023

On 6/26/2023 at 6:51 PM, Alfamabo said:

Can you, please, give us dimensions, manufacturers number or specification of the top mount bearing?

I am not in UK, so cant do it at Orchard Engineering (which would be the easiest solution).

The bearing should be 6302-2RS. They are cheap get one from a reputable brand.

You can double-check the bearing model when you remove your mount: it is printed on one of the rubber seals.

welland · November 23, 2023

I have now found this on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-L-R-TOP-STRUT-MOUNT-FOR-LEXUS-RX-450H-08-15-TOYOTA-CAMRY-Saloon-V5-/393937902665?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

The description says it is for Air Suspension.

Has anybody ordered one of these?

It looks like the bearing is supplied separately to the carrier, for some reason. I wonder if it is difficult to fit the bearing into the carrier? Could it be done without a press?

KRR01 · December 29, 2023

On 11/23/2023 at 3:19 AM, welland said:

I have now found this on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-L-R-TOP-STRUT-MOUNT-FOR-LEXUS-RX-450H-08-15-TOYOTA-CAMRY-Saloon-V5-/393937902665?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

The description says it is for Air Suspension.

Has anybody ordered one of these?

It looks like the bearing is supplied separately to the carrier, for some reason. I wonder if it is difficult to fit the bearing into the carrier? Could it be done without a press?

Hi, Any luck with this? My rx450h air suspension is in a need for strut mount change.

welland · January 11

On 12/29/2023 at 8:57 PM, KRR01 said:

Hi, Any luck with this? My rx450h air suspension is in a need for strut mount change.

I didn't buy this one from eBay in the end, I exchanged my old one with Orchard Engineering who sold me a refurbished one.

Andy86 · January 12

@welland have you managed to have the refurbished topmount fitted?

Rebecca_RX450 · April 6

Hello,

I just wanted to say thanks to this forum for sharing Brian from Orchard engineering's details. I had the same top mount issue and I called Brian to see if he still carried bout this repair. Brian was so helpful, amongst other options the one that worked for me was driving to him and the garage next door (GX garage) removed the top mount, took it next door to Brian. Brian repaired it and gave it back to the garage and I was in and out within 3hrs and was given a courtesy car during that time. I can recommend Brian and the team at Gotherington Cross Garage enough.

Top mount repair £85 and the garage charged £170+VAT. Smooth, swift, professional and great value for money. The drive has massively improved, the difference is night and day! The steering is lighter and not a clunk to be heard.

Outstanding!

Rebecca

JimboS · April 19

On 6/2/2022 at 12:57 PM, Marcox said:

Thanks for this Vadim, I have Lexus RX 3rd gen, did you use avensis T23 mount as a temporary solution or for good?

I tried to repair it using T23 avensis mount, unfortunatly it doesn't fit and it can't be mounted. In addition, it's made of much thinner sheet metal (after all, a much lighter car). Also tried rebulit ones but it works for few months. Currently, there are new mounts on eBay, I tried them - works and fits very well...£108

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126439152244?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=oe_zmeXvTdO&sssrc=2566055&ssuid=oe_zmeXvTdO&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Stevo11 · April 19

47 minutes ago, JimboS said:

I tried to repair it using T23 avensis mount, unfortunatly it doesn't fit and it can't be mounted. In addition, it's made of much thinner sheet metal (after all, a much lighter car). Also tried rebulit ones but it works for few months. Currently, there are new mounts on ebay, I tried them - works and fits very well...£108

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126423262948?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=oe_zmeXvTdO&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=oe_zmeXvTdO&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thank you for your service! 🙂 Good to know for the future.

On a related note, I picked up 2 rear shocks from the Lexus dealer locally today, I was expecting a horrendous price but not so, 215e for both.

JimboS · October 29

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176484159569

A short review after a year of use, basically without any problems, I looked into them through the top covers and from the bottom, everything looks good, no sign of wear. I have two firends who had these mounts installed and had no problems. Interestingly, each of them was directed by the workshop to refubrish/replace the entire shock absorber.