Marcus Hampshire

An update on this, for those who may be thinking of doing something similar - it's all done, and seems fine. 2009 Lexus GS300 SE - I replaced the original Lexus adjustable (normal/sport) shocks for after-market non-adjustable ones, without problems. I bought KYB shocks (KYBS51108) at roughly £140 each including VAT (Lexus originals were £360 each). A set of two SUPLEX coil springs (35336) (OEM-Number TOYOTA 48231-30A50) for £111 including courier costs from Germany via UPS. The absorber control actuators (part 89241-30040) were simply removed, and the car feels as though it has reverted to the "Soft" or "Normal" suspension setting. No error messages flash up on the dash, and the sport/normal switch still lights up the notification on the dash as before - I presume this switch still continues to tighten up the steering as well, it certainly feels as if it does, although the difference was never that marked, I thought. The actuators seem quite rare, so I'll hang on to them and maybe Ebay them at some stage. Car drives beautifully. Job done. Thanks to those offering suggestions.

Many thanks for the prompt reply Sergio, that's good to know. I've found parts that claim to fit my car on Autodoc.co.uk (a SUPLEX spring), but strangely it has a different OEM number - 48231-30A50 To add to the confusion, this new number is listed on Amayama as being available, and compatible with my car. I'm discussing with the garage now.

Now, with the new shocks being fitted, they've discovered one of the springs has completely broken right at the top, which is not visible until the shocks are removed. Lexus can't even say when they might get them in (very strange). Amayama lists them as "permanently out of stock" (yikes, Scooby). The garage (run by an ex-Lexus dealer, with plenty of contacts) is searching around. Any ideas here? Does a part from another model fit, perhaps? Part number is 4823180B90 - I'll replace both sides, obviously.

A follow up, for information - MOT failure due to leaks from both rear shocks. My helpful local Japanese-car-specialist garage has got some after-market ones for around £117 + VAT each. These will NOT be Lexus originals, which are twice that cost- and they will not have the electronically adjustable Sport/Normal mode available. From previous posts it appears possible to replace adjustable with non-adjustable - the consensus is that disconnecting the plug at the top will work, without throwing up serious fault codes (at least on the 450h), so I will see if it works in this case...

Thanks for the tips, it's saved me a lot of Googling time.

Hi, I'm a newby looking for advice from anyone who has already had experience with this - I'm interested in any after-market replacement parts that are available. I've got a banging sound at the rear nearside every time I go over the smallest of bumps. Sounds like bushes have gone, or something more serious. If it's the latter, and before I go in for a checkup, I'd like to understand what options are out there apart from "buy the original Lexus suspension parts". If I need a complete replacement of major suspension units/parts, can anyone recommend an alternative make (and supplier/fitter)? Hopefully available in the central South (Winchester). This is a 112,00 mile car in otherwise excellent condition. Thanks. Marcus.