Front Shocks:

[elcajon]

Hi.

I have a 99 LX470 in need of front shocks per tire shop due to "coupling " or "cusping" of the tire lugs (one edge of the tire lug lower than the other if you run the hand from back forward).

I was quoted close to $1100 for parts and labor. Is this about right?

Thanks.

 

[jcrandall]

sounds high to me - I'm sure a lot of folks will say there's not enough info to answer - but replacing front shocks is not hard at all.

Edit: Unless you are somewhere that requires airlifted parts.

 

[PADDO]

Do you still have AHC installed? If so then replacing the front shocks (which are not shocks as such but dumb hydraulic struts that have an ECU controlled remote adaptive variable suspension system) is not likely to do anything other than make you $1100 poorer - assuming they aren't bent, damaged, cushions gone etc. Could be that your AVS is not performing and just needs to be dialed in (neutral pressures) or AHC height/cross level needs to be set correctly. If you've had your AHC/AVS replaced with a conventional system then a pair of OEM shocks will set you back less $100 and an hours labor. Not $1100.
I'd be very wary of any shop messing with your AHC/AVS unless they are experienced with these systems.

 

[Sandroad]

Get a second opinion on the tire wear. And run a Google search on that type of wear and look at the possible causes, including inflation, alignment, balance, wheel bearings, etc. I agree with paddo to be wary of anyone messing with AHC without lots of experience. I suspect the tire shop was just guessing and had no idea about the suspension of an LX.

 

[elcajon]

Get a second opinion on the tire wear. And run a Google search on that type of wear and look at the possible causes, including inflation, alignment, balance, wheel bearings, etc. I agree with paddo to be wary of anyone messing with AHC without lots of experience. I suspect the tire shop was just guessing and had no idea about the suspension of an LX.

It does have AHC. Both front axles were just replaced due to clicking and leakage. An alignment was done after. I already bought new tundra take off tires and wheels ( ltx 275/65/18) and don't want to ruin them if the bad suspension is the cause of the wear on the older tires.

& PADDO: I don't know that many shops around Vegas know how to check/ adjust the AHC/avs system. Is it fairly simple process to a newb like me?

 

[elcajon]

The tire shop also told me that if I changed out the tires with the new tires that the mild vibration will go away for a bit until the bad suspension causes the same wear on them.

 

[SALTY METHODS]

Check out SD Trux off of Miramar Road. http://www.sdtrux.com. Speak to John, he is very trustworthy and will give a definitive evaluation of your problem. My friend just took his AHC equipped Lexus to a couple of different shops and was shocked how much they wanted to charge him to fix his locked up AHC system. He took his LX to SD Trux and they properly assessed his issue and theoretically saved him hundreds of dollars.

Edit: Sorry, I thought you were in San Diego, my bad...