2010 Lexus RX 350- After Market Tie Rod and Struts - should i go back to OEM?
Hello Team,
Ok, after much footwork I was able to get the 2010 LEXUS RX350 (162k miles) running like a top! Even had the motor cleaned and to be candid it looks like a new super clean car.
Now I feel that I rushed to get the struts and tie rods changed out with Durlast Parts instead of waiting to get the OEM parts that were all back-ordered. Then I saw Scotty's video when he changed out his wife's Lexus Strutts and she made him change it back to ORIGINALS because the ride was better and those all-in-one units were not good, omg LOL. That's how I feel now.
I was at AutoZone one day and got a referral for a mobile mechanic who had all the equipment and even gave me his discount on the parts saving like 20%. He replaced everything and I saw him tork all bolts it really seemed he knew what he was doing right off the bat with a reasonable cost.
After all the other quotes to change out the same parts (low end $3700 to $8800), it took him 3.5 hours to change out all 4 shocks/struts and replace both the TIE RODs for only $600.
The Duralast parts are for $550.00. Because the tires were off and he was already working I ran over and purchased both the TIE RODs from another shop (napa auto) both for $170.00.
I have to admit when I saw the box the tie rods came in with "made in China" I was just a bit concerned and asked the rep about the warranty (1 year/12,000 miles) but was already committed because he had the tires off.
Again it runs great I love the car and the mechanic called me back to say don't worry all was done right.
the issue now- >I am now hearing a sound when stopped or parked on the left and on the right that sounds like the creaking sound of old hinges on a haunted house gate lol smh 🤪 .
Could that be coming from the TIE rods? because all the parts are new? It has new tires as well so i thought maybe all the parts are new and maybe need to break in.
As long as it doesn't FALL OFF the car I have to live with it until i can save up for the OEM or take them back to AutoZone they said i have a lifetime warranty but not sure,
Any feedback is helpful I should have been patient but price and savings came up so i went with it.
I am now hearing a sound when stopped or parked on the left and on the right that sounds like the creaking sound of old hinges
You hear noise from both L & R front areas when the vehicle is not moving, correct?
Hello thank you for replying- hopefully tomorrow it will be back to no creaking. 🙂
Well Creeks can be so many things, but let's face the facts. If it didn't creak before the work, then either the parts are wrong or they won't installed correctly. They're either too tight or too loose they are creaking.
Wow, what an honor Mr.Scotty himself thank you for responding!!! Funny, I was actually thinking of shipping this car to you to make a video out of it. 😉
I appreciate you and the content because after seeing your videos I purchased this Lexus from a buddy for $8800 bucks, 🙂 It's clean inside and out. EVERYTHING works...so far..lol.
UPDATE- the mechanic inspected the car. Yep, it was the new right STRUT creaking. We went back to the parts store and ordered the OEM for the car that will come in tomorrow. He will change it out and the store knew him so they said just bring the parts back we will fully refund it the tie rods are fine.
Do you know why the RIGHT side strut is $50 bucks more than the left?
Anyway, the car is well worth it even with these minor repairs since I was considering a NEW Lexus hybrid at $40K for gas savings but according to You that would have been cheaply made and a car payment. Even being in Cali I am ok with the gas cost for this 6-cylinder because it even dropped the car insurance by 27%. Thank YOU! Thank you for your service man. 😎
Hello Mr. Scotty, great news the new OEM struts are on with no more creaking sounds and runs like a dream. Thank you!
Hey, send me your snail mail address if possible would like to send you a thank you card!
aginelo
When the new installed parts have rubber bushings as mounting points, I could imagine these 'creaking' when the car moves on its suspension (sinking in, coming up a.s.o.) That could be when the car moves and comes to stopping.
Scotty has a video explaining and curing this.
Maybe you could make an audio-file and post that in the thread?
Thank you for responding freshoil2, OK I responded up above, the mechanic is going to replace the after-market struts tomorrow, hopefully, that will fix it and I will still find the video. Great to know I can upload the audio files as well. THANK YOU!!