Hello Scotty,
I know that you recommend KYB for strut placement. As far as I can tell, KYB doesn't have a rear strut assembly for my car, a 2007 Lexus RX 350 AWD with 229000 miles. What do you think of Duralast strut assemblies? They are more expensive than most other aftermarket brands, but the customer reviews on them look pretty good. I have neck issues so ride quality is important to me. Is there another brand you would recommend Thanks!
Nick
Unless you have air suspension it looks like rockauto.com carries rear struts for that vehicle:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/lexus,2007,rx350,3.5l+v6,1433555,suspension,shock+/+strut,7556
Unfortunately, I need the whole strut assembly not just the strut. I don't have the equipment to compress the spring and I have never tried to do that
You may want to reconsider. Scotty has warned more than once about poorly-made "quick strut" assemblies, and most do seem to come from lower-quality sources. (When he put a set on his wife's car they were so terrible he had to get rid of them!) You could check machine shops in your area to see if they would be able to move the springs over to new struts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3bncShvmHU
Thanks for your suggestions, Chuck!
Thanks everyone for your help!
Hello Chuck,
Thanks for your post. Unfortunately, I need the whole strut assembly not just the strut. I don't have the equipment to compress the spring and I have never tried to do that, so that's why I was looking for the whole assembly, which as far as I can tell, KYB doesn't make.
Thanks again!
Nick
You can borrow a spring compressor at major auto parts stores like autozone and oreilly’s. They’re also not too expensive from Amazon or harbor freight.
Thanks, Bob!
Duralast is just AutoZone's house brand (I don't know, but I suspect they are made by a variety of suppliers and they put their label on). Most of their stuff is OK. But even if they aren't great, the advantage is that there is a local brick-and-mortar store where you can go for follow up.
I don't have personal experience, but I think Monroe might be OK, and they have strut assemblies that are widely available.
BTW: I get that you prefer to replace the whole assembly rather than transferring over the spring; spring compressors aren't hard, but they do have a real risk of injury. And in my personal experience they are more tedious than you would think.
No Scotty initially recommended the Monroe quickstruts but then a few years later realized he was wrong. Monroes are about the worse you can get