Stiffer Shocks?

Barras · June 29, 2003

Hey all,

I currently have a 1999 Lexus LS 400. Unfortunately, over a road trip, it felt a little 'floaty' and made me slightly carsick.

I thinks replacing the shock absorbers with harder ones to improve the handling and road holding.

Any ideas? Reccomended replacement shocks?

Thanks in advance for all your responses.

GrandAlf · June 29, 2003

I once spoke to a lexus engineer about this, he reckoned that the standard ones are well tuned to the rest of the suspension. Any mods would probably be detrimental to handling. I have had 2 400s and they never felt "floaty", are you sure they are not worn?.

Barras · June 29, 2003

Hmmm. Perhaps I am too used to the stiff setup of my other car...

At any rate, I have checked out several sites. Auto Parts Wholesale (http://www.auto-parts-wholesale.com/) reckons that the Bilstiens are good replacements for my existing shocks. But TireRack (http://www.tirerack.com) suggests the KYB GR 2 shocks. Naturally, Bilstein thinks they have a set of shocks tuned for this car too, as does KYB.

Maybe I'll need to speak with a Lexus engineer on this.

Thanks for your input.

pramod · June 29, 2003

My 1998 mk4 is also (after 114k miles) feeling too floaty. Most noticeable is excessive dive on braking. I think it's general wear and tear on the shocks. Dealer says they are not leaking and still functioning ok. There are some suspension bushes which can get worn too.

you can get a "Dynamic Handling Pack" option, from the main dealer, which for around GBP 3,000 gives you all-new stiffer shocks, lowered stiffer springs, 17-inch wider wheels and tyres and uprated antiroll bars.

I've never driven a DHP car; I read somewhere that road noise (which is something i cant stand, being a high mileage driver) is much worse with the DHP. Also when you come to sell your car you wont get more than GBP500 for the fact your car is fitted with the DHP.

at the next 126k service, i will get them to renew all 4 shocks and springs + suspension bushes. But I will stick to the standard variety, not the DHP. LS400 is a high mileage cruiser; horses for courses etc.

My experience with fitting Koni shocks vs OE to a previous Honda leads me to play safe and stick with original lexus parts only.

new LS430 with air suspension has firm and normal settings you can flick between with a switch......

Pramod

Barras · June 30, 2003

new LS430 with air suspension has firm and normal settings you can flick between with a switch......

Sure wish I could do that.....

Anyway, this Dynamic Handling Package seems like a rather rare option. Hell, I didn't see it in the brochure they gave me. I am quite hungry for additional details. Any reviews on this system?

If only there were a car with the handling of a Porsche, and the comfort of the Lexus......

Thanks for all your comments.

Barras · August 4, 2003

News Update:

I've managed to grab myself a set of Bilsteins designed for the LS 400. Seems that the standard set are the KYBs, don't know too much about the Bilsteins though... Sure hope these new shocks will be better than the stock set.

Wish me luck.