Rx400H - Shocks And Springs

[Klug]

Hello from France.

I drive a 2006 RX400h 4WD (now a bit more than 100'000 miles) and I'd like to change the shocks and springs (and everything that goes with).

I've check with all spare parts sellers in France...
These are not available.

Some may have them in their listing but "not available", the majority just answers "not even exist".

Is it the same in the UK?
Can anyone point me to a parts seller who can sell these?

[Boxbrownie]

http://www.japarts.co.uk/shop/index.php?sh=search&make=39&model=RX∩=&prevo=&hidden_make=&s=&vehicle_iid=453&sn=Steering/Suspension&cat=2295_2302_2303_2308_2309_15002

Talk to these guys..........

[Duncan Roberts]

What out of curiosity is wrong with them?

[Klug]

They're 175'000 km old.

They're obviously more flabby on cornering and especially breaking that they were last year: I have a little breaking test I do for all my cars and the whale (that's its nickname) is really plunging on breaking.

The problem with shocks/springs is they wear out quite slowly and you don't notice the change. Until you replace them.

@BoxBrownie: thanks for the link, I sent them a message.

[Boxbrownie]

They're 175'000 km old.

They're obviously more flabby on cornering and especially breaking that they were last year: I have a little breaking test I do for all my cars and the whale (that's its nickname) is really plunging on breaking.

The problem with shocks/springs is they wear out quite slowly and you don't notice the change. Until you replace them.

@BoxBrownie: thanks for the link, I sent them a message.

Mine are still original on 184,000Kms and they must be softer than originally but I still find them no problem either in braking or ride, but its a personal thing if you think they need replacing, then they need replacing.

One point I would be aware of is the specification of the replacements, if they are not OEM spec then you could just find that they are either softer than those on there now or much harder which can ruin the ride of a Lexus completely.

I think the KBY are the preferred replacements, not sure if they are OEM though, and pretty sure that any springs you buy will be "uprated" as is the fashion.

Might be an idea to have a look on the US forums as well, they seem to be into replacing springs and "shocks" regulary, almost as regular as they change the oil

[Klug]

I'm going for KYB (if I can find them).

The very funny thing is KYB France doesn't even import them... They don't exist in their catalog!

I'm not interesting in a "two inches lowering suspension kit" from our US friends.

Nor transforming the whale into a hopping/bouncing car 8-)

[Boxbrownie]

Not from Whale to Porpoise then? :D

[Klug]

We'll see that when the NX is out 8-)

It looks like the absorbers are the same for RX300 and RX400h (4WD)... While the weight is quite different between the cars (>600 pounds).

The roads around here are quite bad too (I don't know how they are in your part of UK).
Maybe it can explain the difference in the feeling?

[Boxbrownie]

Shock absorbers could easily be the same spec, but the springs should be different if there is a 600lb weight difference.

Roads around here? :( Something akin to the Lunar surface.........

[Parrot of Doom]

Also buy new spring bumpers and any absorption devices. Will reduce noise in the cabin. Have you checked engine and transmission mounts? These things also wear slowly.