John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15215
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« on: May 04, 2010, 07:34:34 PM » |
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Rita's little ES300 has over 100k miles on it and runs like a top. But, the rear shocks are making noise like she's carrying bowling balls in the trunk when driving over a rough street. Anybody ever change them out, same as the Avalon and Camry, and how much of a job is it? I'm assuming I'll need a spring compressor, anybody familiar with the process? I looked on Ebay and they have a set for all four corners for a real good price, Gabriel brand, thinking there is other stuff that should be replaced with them, like maybe the mounts, etc.
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shortleg
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« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2010, 05:13:54 AM » |
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Do a search for forums like ours.
you should be able to find what you need.
Shortleg[Dave]
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Bob E.
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« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2010, 05:15:09 AM » |
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Are they shocks or struts? I have no idea about your particular car. But in general, struts can be a pain in the a$$ and you do need a spring compressor unless you change the entire strut/spring assembly as a unit. I changed them on my wife's Ford Taurus in my garage with basic tools and cheap Harbor Freight spring clamps. Shocks, assuming you can get the mounting bolts off without breaking them, are usually a piece of cake.
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15215
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2010, 07:23:54 AM » |
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Are they shocks or struts? I have no idea about your particular car. But in general, struts can be a pain in the a$$ and you do need a spring compressor unless you change the entire strut/spring assembly as a unit. I changed them on my wife's Ford Taurus in my garage with basic tools and cheap Harbor Freight spring clamps. Shocks, assuming you can get the mounting bolts off without breaking them, are usually a piece of cake.
Yes, actually they're struts. And yes....do I ever know about the bolts on shocks, or anywhere else if they've been on for over 100k miles. Seems like suspension parts are the worst, I usually will go in a day or two ahead of the project and give everything a good dousing of bearcat pee(liquid wrench), always helps...never hurts.  |
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Chippy01
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« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2010, 08:07:33 AM » |
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Rita's little ES300 has over 100k miles on it and runs like a top. But, the rear shocks are making noise like she's carrying bowling balls in the trunk when driving over a rough street. Anybody ever change them out, same as the Avalon and Camry, and how much of a job is it? I'm assuming I'll need a spring compressor, anybody familiar with the process? I looked on Ebay and they have a set for all four corners for a real good price, Gabriel brand, thinking there is other stuff that should be replaced with them, like maybe the mounts, etc.
Try looking on here http://www.clublexus.com/forums/I'm also on a Lexus GB forum, and many questions are often linked back to ClubLexus. |
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'98 GL1500C Standard Valkyrie
'88 VF750C SuperMagna
'89 GL1500 GoldWing
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scoot
Member
Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2010, 09:04:11 AM » |
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It would be my guess if they are making a sound like you describe that it is most likely the strut bearing that are going bad. Not so much the struts themselves. Either way they still need to come out and apart to be replaced. At that point you might as well replace the struts also.
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady |
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Robert
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« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2010, 09:14:32 AM » |
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Book time 3.5 you will need a spring compressor and its not bad to do. Disconnect the two bolts that hold the shock to the spindle support and then the 3 top bolts you may have to reposition the brake line and take the shock out. Then compress the spring and either replace the whole strut or just the insert. I would also try to bounce the rear to see if you can duplicate the noise and make sure the top shock bushing is ok. You can get a insert or a whole complete strut assembly price is 99 to 160. and KYB is good
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« Last Edit: May 05, 2010, 10:02:22 AM by Robert »
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15215
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2010, 12:38:57 PM » |
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It's my honey's car, so who fixes it is her decision. Maybe it won't be me this time....keeping my fingers crossed on that.  |
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ArmyValker
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« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2010, 01:40:15 PM » |
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Just get or rent a set of spring compressors from he auto parts store, those little springs shouldn't be a problem. Or, if you wanna press the easy button, just remove the strut assembly and take em down to a mechanic with a hydraulic spring compressor and pay him 20 bucks to switch out the strut. Then just bolt in. I usually do this with trucks because the springs are such a PITA.
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