1997 Es300 Suspension Rebuild

gumbytech · February 11, 2005

Hello everyone,

Just joined the board, but used it when researching my car purchase. I recently purchased a 1997 ES300. From this board I was aware of suspension issues and sure enough mine was found to need suspension work during the pre-purchase inspection.

Knowing the work was needed, I still bought the car which had 74K miles and was in cherry condition in all other areas for $10,300

I have decided to purchase the parts myself and take it to an indy for installation. This is what I have found. What do you think of the price, reasonable?

Replace front struts and mounts (243 parts from tirerack) + (240 labor)

Replace rear struts and mounts (285 parts from tirerack) + (240 labor)

Note: purchased strut insulators and bumpers ($82 from irontoad)

Replace front lower control arms (160 parts off ebay) + (170 labor)

4 wheel alignment (65)

Total Parts = $770

Total Labor = $715

TOTAL JOB = $1485

I plan to get the job done the end of next week so your thoughts in advance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Dan

khhoang · February 11, 2005

Hi, Welcome to the Club & Congrats on your purchase!

What brand struts are you installing? If KYB then for price comparison I just last month replaced my suspension on all four corners with KYB struts&mounts w/ Eibach Prokit springs.

KYB at $450parts (both front&rear struts and mounts)

http://www.ajusa.com/cgi-bin/kyb/products?...051a6555d70d59a <~~ FREE SHIPPING

Eibach Prokit springs at $250 tirerack.com

4 wheel alignment at $65

Installation labor for everything $260. I think you're overpaying for the labor!! Do call around for better estimates on labor.

gumbytech · February 11, 2005

Thanks for the welcome. I should have sent my email before purchasing and selecting the garage (labor).

I am purchasing KYB struts and mounts from Tirerack. I decided to reuse the stock springs. Price for struts and mounts were $75 more then what you paid when shipping is considered.

Alignment is the same at $65, but the install labor they are getting is $420, so $160 more then you paid. So grand total, I am getting this strut job for $235 more then you paid (that could have been new springs).

I have done quite a bit of work looking for a good deal. I have save quite a bit of money by shopping around and buying my own parts. Looks like I could have done better. I think it has a lot to do with location. I need to get the work done in the "high rent" district and I think that really makes a difference. Oh yeah, did I mention, they have a free pickup and delivery service (free for $235).

Oh well, appreciate your input. Actually maybe I am doing OK, when you consider also getting the lower control arms replaced for just under $300. Of course, the risk here is "aftermarket" ebay control arms???

It goes in the shop 2.17 so I'll keep the board posted.

Dan

ArmyofOne · February 11, 2005

Thanks for the welcome. I should have sent my email before purchasing and selecting the garage (labor).
I am purchasing KYB struts and mounts from Tirerack. I decided to reuse the stock springs. Price for struts and mounts were $75 more then what you paid when shipping is considered.

Alignment is the same at $65, but the install labor they are getting is $420, so $160 more then you paid. So grand total, I am getting this strut job for $235 more then you paid (that could have been new springs).

I have done quite a bit of work looking for a good deal. I have save quite a bit of money by shopping around and buying my own parts. Looks like I could have done better. I think it has a lot to do with location. I need to get the work done in the "high rent" district and I think that really makes a difference. Oh yeah, did I mention, they have a free pickup and delivery service (free for $235).

Oh well, appreciate your input. Actually maybe I am doing OK, when you consider also getting the lower control arms replaced for just under $300. Of course, the risk here is "aftermarket" ebay control arms???

It goes in the shop 2.17 so I'll keep the board posted.

Dan

←

IMO, i woulnt use stock springs if the KYB shocks will lower the car. (you didnt say they would, just thought i would throw that out there)

gumbytech · February 12, 2005

Good point, but I believe the KYBs will retain stock height and function. I think KYB makes the "factory" struts for the ES. I figured to save money and retain stock ride/height I would just reuse the stock (74K miles) springs. Hope that will work out OK. If not, I'll have to spring (pun intended) for some performance springs.

Dan

SKperformance · February 12, 2005

What are you talking about army?????

KYB makes the stock ES struts?

Shocks don't lower a car springs do.

camlex · February 12, 2005

I installed KYB struts and mounts

Front lower control arms bushing $250 (part+labor)

Front struts and mounts $350 (Part+labor)

Rear struts and mounts $320 (part+labor)

Allignment $50 (Labor)

Total Cost $ 970.00

Hope this help.

I really like KYB, for price and ride.

gumbytech · February 12, 2005

wow Camlex, that is a great deal.

Both of you guys are getting much better deals and it appears to be the labor part. But I contacted; Lexus, Toyota, used car dealer where I purchased the car and 3 independents. Toyota and 1 indy didn't get back to me.

Of course, Lexus was really ridiculous. The others were high too so I decided to hunt for the parts to get the best price and then go with one of the 2 independents who were similar in price. They are not Toyota/Lexus specialist, just a good garage that works on anything.

I really think the labor HIT is due to location. It is in the high rent district as were all of the places that I contacted. But I need the service to be done at a place very near the house for convenience. But it looks like I am paying a 20% premium.

I think when I take the car in, I will voice my concern to see if they could watch the clock and readjust the price if they do the job faster then anticipated. I'll also use the angle of "future business" potential, which is true because I hope to establish a service shop for future needs. I am just moving to this area.

So I'll have 10,300 purchase + 1400 suspension build. $11,700 is on the high side, but as long as nothing else shows up before the $$$ 90K service it will be a fair deal.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Dan

khhoang · February 12, 2005

i had a tire&suspension performance shop do my installation instead of a general do-all garage. you can try calling those specialized shops in your area.

what are the symptoms of a bad front lower control arm/bushings? i did a quick gooling and have some things to check. i wonder if my infamous front end clunking noise is due to worn ball joints since my new struts&springs didn't eliminate it. does changing the entire lower control arms include the bushings and ball joints?

gumbytech · February 12, 2005

OK, I will check with a tire/suspension shop. Thanks.

The control arms include bushings and ball joint, so it is an expensive job for just bad bushings. Bad lower control arm bushings are a typical ES failure and as with struts/mounts which cause front end clunk and rattling. I got new arms off ebay for half price of what the independent shops were going to charge.

Lexus did a pre-purchase inspection for me and identified the strut mounts and control arm bushings as the problem. I decided to change the struts as well.

Dan