Rx Shock Absorbers

[GeoJohn]

I am wondering at what mileage, if at all, people have replaced their shock absorbers?

My front near side shock feels slack and bouncy over bumps, I think the strut mount and bearing may be past their best also. Yesterday I had cause to brake very hard and the front of the car dipped alarmingly, leading me to think the shocks aren't doing their job properly.

Many thanks

[ColinBarber]

I'd say 100k miles / 10 years is getting to a point where they are well past their best. Most people never notice an issue because the performance just gradually deteriorates over the years but ride quality suffers and braking distances can increase.

[Parrot of Doom]

I replaced the front shocks on my old Mercedes E300TD (then aged about eleven years and 200,000 miles). The difference was quite amazing - the front nearside shock had very little resistance left, presumably because for years it had been taking the brunt of manhole covers, potholes, kerbs etc. The new shocks were very, very noticeable when turning right - the car was very level, whereas before, it had always leaned slightly.

[GeoJohn]

Yes I have replaced shock absorbers at around the 100,000 mile point on numerous previous vehicles. Having only owned my RX300 for a short time, I was just trying to guage whether its behaviour is related to the state of its shocks. It can be quite hard with modern cars to test a shock until it is removed.

[nelmo]

I wish I hadn't read this thread because every time I go out, my RX feels very 'floaty' and at 112k miles, my shocks are probably history. I dread to think how much they are to replace.

I once replaced the front shocks on an older 5-series beemer and it did make a big difference...

Actually, there used to be a test you could do - something like bounce each corner of the car in turn and it shouldn't pogo up and down - is that right?

[GeoJohn]

The bounce test for shock absorbers is very hard to do on modern cars and especially so with the RX being a big heavy car.

I noticed on the lexus website front shock replacement cost was £400, but I wasn't sure if that was for just one side, which I think it probably is. Still in the end I bought new shocks, springs, strut mounts and bearings for both side for £300 and have just finished fitting them myself. Only been on a short drive since, but car feels transformed, especially as no more dipping when braking hard.

Heavy components, but one of easiest cars I have worked on, quality of construction was obvious.

[Boxbrownie]

I had the rear shock absorber "boots" replaced about 2 years ago on my '-03 RX300 (@approx 100K), while at the specialist I asked them if they thought it might be worth changing the rear shocks (as they have to virtually come off anyway), they wheeled out a tester, drove the car onto each wheel jacked the tester up about 6" and it then dropped the car and measured the "bounce" frequency......result, all shocks were well within the "good" reading...........

It may just be the older RX had sloppier suspension from new and we get to drive a newer/different car and then think the older car needs something replaced, sometimes its just as it should be.

Ask around and see if you can find a garage with a proper tester.

[Boxbrownie]

:D :D :D

I thought I'd see if I could find a link the kind of test they did........if your of a delicate disposition DO NOT press the "click to see the test" link........the internet is a wonderful thing!

http://www.shockabsorber.co.uk/en/bounce-o-meter/

[GeoJohn]

Well my RX300 has done 103,000 miles and the front shocks where we'll and truly mullered when I took them off, there was no pressure to the Pistons. It will all depend on where and how a car has been driven I guess, but it feels much better now I have new shocks.

[mcruiz]

Are the rear shocks from the RX300 compatible with the RX400h?

[Boxbrownie]

1 hour ago, mcruiz said:

Are the rear shocks from the RX300 compatible with the RX400h?

I wouldn’t have thought so, there must be quite an unladen weight difference between the two models due to battery/motor etc.