LS400 boot struts.

Howplum · January 27, 2022

I appreciate this topic has come up before, but this will be my next project, which apparently is not going to be as straightforward as it might appear.

Lexus have confirmed that they are no longer available, although they did confirm the part number(s) of 64530-50010/50011.

I ordered a pair from eBay, advertised as being for my car, but they had the incorrect ball and socket type fittings. Lexus's version has drilled flanges at each end, as per below:

I spoke to SGS Engineering today, who offer a re-gassing service. However, another option they suggested, because they don't use the fittings required, is for the fittings to be transferred to their own struts. However, since the technical specification is not available they did suggest adjustable struts.

Another option is to source aftermarket items from the USA, which will be about $100, plus whatever HMRC decide they need to charge, so potentially could be quite expensive.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334188879739#rwid

I'll keep you posted.

The-Acre · January 27, 2022

Rockauto seem to have them, they're very cheap and as they're light shipping shouldn't be too much, just use FedEx economy and all you'll pay extra is Vat.

Malc · January 28, 2022

I used SGS a long while back for the Mazda 323F rear window strut and sent the old one over to them and they dealt with everything odd and sent it back all done and ready to fit ............. brilliant service

Malc

Howplum · January 28, 2022

Phil, I have just looked at Rock Auto's website and whilst they have several choices for the bonnet (hood) I can't see any for the boot (trunk).

The-Acre · January 28, 2022

14 minutes ago, Howplum said:

Phil, I have just looked at Rock Auto's website and whilst they have several choices for the bonnet (hood) I can't see any for the boot (trunk).

My apologies, so it's true what my school reports used to say "must pay more attention"

Phil xxkr · January 28, 2022

1 hour ago, Malc said:

I used SGS a long while back for the Mazda 323F rear window strut and sent the old one over to them and they dealt with everything odd and sent it back all done and ready to fit ............. brilliant service

Malc

Ditto

Howplum · January 28, 2022

I haven't really thought this idea through, but I wonder if it's possible to change the fittings on the car to the ball type, then no doubt finding replacements would be easier. However, I suspect the forward fitting might present a challenge!

However, SGS do offer an eyelet end fitting, which might work, although the offset is different:

BigBoomer · January 31, 2022

Maybe see if you can get a group order together. The US struts you linked to are $60 per set plus $50 shipping. If you ordered 10 sets the shipping probably would not go up by much, so only HMRCs 20%VAT (£97) and a total of £580 delivered makes them £58 per set. Still expensive, but not stupid expensive.

ambermarine · January 31, 2022

Are you going to find 5 Lexus ls400s that need the boot struts .probably not, better to get them from a breaker.

Howplum · January 31, 2022

SGS have apparently received my struts, so I'll wait and see what they say before exploring other options.

I presume any struts from a breaker would be of a similar age, and therefore potentially past their prime as well.

It looks as though changing the fitting on the hinge to a ball type wouldn't work because the current arrangement stops any lateral movement of the strut, thereby preventing the strut from binding, or sliding off the pin under the parcel shelf. There is no clip at that end, because of limited access.

Howplum · February 7, 2022

Having sent my struts to SGS they rang today to say they have re-gassed them and increased the force by 75N, which apparently is quite a lot. Anyway, hopefully the boot lid will lift effortlessly.

Interestingly I approached another specialist who said they couldn't be re-gassed because the ends are welded on.

Howplum · February 9, 2022

Success! The re-gassed struts now work how I feel they should, in that I can lift the lid with one finger. Mind you, fitting them involves lying in the boot and applying a fair bit of pressure to the lid with one foot.

Tip: It's easier to remove the struts complete with hinge mounting pin, but on reassembly the pins are bolted to the hinge before installing the struts.