Leak - Shock Absorber - LX570 (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Aug 26, 2020
Threads
2
Messages
6
Location
Dallas, TX
All,

Just got my oil change done at the local Lexus dealership in Dallas. I have a 2013 LX570 with 110K miles. They said that I have a leak (half way through) in the front right shock absorber and quoted me $950 to replace it and do an alignment.

My local shop LexuTech in Fort Worth recommends to replace both front shocks and that will cost $1,300 and it'll be $1,900 to replace front and rear.

I have no knowledge in autos in general. Do you recommend i replacethe front together, just the right or front and rear while at it? Car rides fine, i can't feel an issue of any kind.

Sorry for the long post and thank you for your help.
 
Are they just replacing the shock? Disassembling and reusing old coil and mounts? The shocks themselves are $200 a pop, and so that’s a lot for labor as it’s an easy job. On the other hand, $600 more for the rear (shocks are $100 each) is a crazy good deal as that job is AWFUL.

given the nature of the system, you can just replace a single shock at a time as it’s just a hydraulic tube, but if one is failing you can simply play it safe and do the other. I don’t see a reason to do the rears just for fun.

i would consider, however, that if you do it, you replace all the bushings with the shocks, as those do wear.
 
I bet it's typical dealership exaggeration when a little seepage and stain is "your shock is leaking". This is how dealerships make money.

I don't even know what half way through means on a shock. It's either leaking enough to be a problem or not. A little wetness is okay.

I bet your shock is fine.
 
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I checked and the $1,300 covers both front shocks and an alignment - doesn't cover new coil and mounts. Do you recommend I ask them for new coil and mounts?

Also, how long do the rear shocks usually last? The truck is 7 years old with 110K miles and driven around town and highways, no off-roading at all.

The interesting part is that the dealership guy didn't bring it up when I was paying for the oil change. I asked him if there were any additional services/repairs needed and he brought it up. Should I take it to an independent shop to examine if I do actually have a leak?
 
Yeah first you should check to see if it’s actually leaking. Some wetness at full extension wouldn’t worry me. Check your reservoir level to see if you are low and post a picture of this leak.

shocks should last well into 150k especially if it’s mostly street miles.

with all the trouble it is to disassemble the front shock you might as well do it all at once up front. The rear suspension other than the shock is pretty easy so you could do it piecemeal, however getting new rear shocks bushings I highly recommend

edit - I would also suggest using a Lexus dealer for this or a lexus independent shop not just a local independent. to replace the shocks you have to disconnect the hydraulic lines and bleed the system. Some dealers will really mess that up and some shops may not have tech stream which helps. Not knocking independents but for this stuff on the Lexus need to make sure they are familiar with it.
 
Great points being made. Many shops just assume that around 100k miles, that your shocks need to be changed. And they'll tell you it's leaking whether it is or not, as most worn shocks leak and wear down internally. It's easier and more alarming to say it leaks than prove its worn by bouncing the car. Largely true for traditional shocks which are generally worn at that mileage.

AHC is a different beast and anecdotally will go 200k++ miles while maintaining continuous like new performance. So long as the system is flushed and maintained at a reasonable intervals (manual specs 60k), which is a unique feature as no traditional suspensions can be maintained onboard. Because the system has huge fluid volume and is actively pressurized, it doesn't wear in a manner that relies on charge pressure from when it was manufactured. With the huge fluid volumes, even if there were a minor weep, it'll still continue to perform for a long time thereafter. Based on how the issue was brought up, I suspect there's no leak or issue at all.

If there is a leak, depending on how minor, again you can let it go quite a long while before it really needs attention. There's been very few, but legitimate leaks so it's wholly probable, so if you must change it, I'd recommend swapping in pairs on an axle. The front AHC shocks do have some minor traditional damping elements/spring packs that would benefit from being changed together. The rears I believe are only hydraulic pistons without internal damping elements so probably can be changing singularly.
 
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Thank you all for the great information. I will be taking the truck to a friend of mine with a lift (he's a Lexus certified technician). He will look at it and I'll take some pictures and post them here. Thanks again.
 
I drove mine for over a year with two leaking AHC shocks — as Tek pointed out it's not a huge deal. I also had them replaced at an independent lexus specialist for much much less than dealer cost.
 
I bought my 08 LX with 122k on the clock and from the dealer records I saw where they replaced both front shocks on mine at 90k miles. The receipt was for nearly $3k so you’re definitely getting a better deal.
 
Update - I took the truck to my friend (previous Lexus certified tech) and he put it on his lift. Pics attached. He said that I have very minor seepage and shouldn't replace them soon, can go around 30K on them - pics attached. The first two pics are for the front right side and the other one for the drivers side.

I do not plan on replacing them soon but I will keep an eye on it. I welcome your input and comments.

Thank you all.


IMG_0384.jpg

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IMG_0386.jpg
 
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Yup, thought so that it was typical bs Lexus dealer upsell. Nailed it
 
Give it a look every few thousand miles to make sure it isn’t progressing to a drip, and if so watch the AHC fluid level.. otherwise you can go a long time on that.
 

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