eman_be_lexin Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 I finally got my new KYB struts, strut mounts, brembo rotors, and brake pads on last night! :D. It never really dawned on me that all of those factors can make such a world of a difference. I noticed a few things while it was being worked on. My mechanic was *BLEEP*ed off when he realized that he had to take the whole back seat and seat belt assy off to get to the rear struts. I posted a problem a few weeks ago about my rear window defroster. I checked the fuse and it was blown, however; replacing it did not solve my problem. When my mechanic was taking the seats out he removed the plastic cover on the inside of the car from the C pillar. The connection for the defroster is in there and it is broken. It seems as if it was soldered on previously but it somehow came apart. I am just wondering if I am wasting my time by trying to solder it myself or do I have to purchase a new rear window. I really love option 1 better!!! B) My mechanic also noticed that my lower control arms were completely worn out. Where can I get some? I saw them on Park Place Lexus for $159 ea. Is that a good price? Your thoughts!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexusk8 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Please fill us in on details of the ride difference with the KYB struts, strut mounts, and of course your new braking system ;) How much did you pay roughly for all those items? I just scored a set of rear OEM struts for less than $90 on Ebay, which is a huge difference compared to the $330 per set retail from the Lexus dealership :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eman_be_lexin Posted December 15, 2005 Author Share Posted December 15, 2005 Here is the breakdown of the repairs done to my baby: 4 KYB GR2 Struts = $274 off Ebay (shipped) 2 Strut mounts = $136 Park Place Lexus 4 brembo D/S rotors = $189 off Ebay (free shipping) 4 Hawk Brake pads = $128 Tire rack (shipped) Labor + 4 wheel align = $500.00 The ride is completely different now than it was a few days ago. There is no significant body roll, I can take corners at high speeds again, the car doesn't nose dive when I slam on the brakes, and the rear doesn't drop when I accelerate. The biggest difference is the fact that it seems to sit higher than it used to. My most favorate feature, no more banging sounds when I go over bumps. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZINFANDEL22 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Here is the breakdown of the repairs done to my baby:4 KYB GR2 Struts = $274 off Ebay (shipped) 2 Strut mounts = $136 Park Place Lexus 4 brembo D/S rotors = $189 off Ebay (free shipping) 4 Hawk Brake pads = $128 Tire rack (shipped) Labor + 4 wheel align = $500.00 The ride is completely different now than it was a few days ago. There is no significant body roll, I can take corners at high speeds again, the car doesn't nose dive when I slam on the brakes, and the rear doesn't drop when I accelerate. The biggest difference is the fact that it seems to sit higher than it used to. My most favorate feature, no more banging sounds when I go over bumps. :D ← What year is you ES please and how many miles? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexusk8 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Here is the breakdown of the repairs done to my baby:4 KYB GR2 Struts = $274 off Ebay (shipped) 2 Strut mounts = $136 Park Place Lexus 4 brembo D/S rotors = $189 off Ebay (free shipping) 4 Hawk Brake pads = $128 Tire rack (shipped) Labor + 4 wheel align = $500.00 The ride is completely different now than it was a few days ago. There is no significant body roll, I can take corners at high speeds again, the car doesn't nose dive when I slam on the brakes, and the rear doesn't drop when I accelerate. The biggest difference is the fact that it seems to sit higher than it used to. My most favorate feature, no more banging sounds when I go over bumps. :D ← Thanks for the info bro, much appreciated :) For awhile, I've been thinking of switching to Hawk brake pads, but of course I can't do that until my OEM pads are nearing its finish (still have roughly 70% life remaining). Glad to hear the KYB struts are working out great for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toysrme Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Coolness. ;) Which Hawk pads did you get? I love my HPS's. Warm them up & they're as grabby & stiff as and descent racing pads, but if they're cold they're as smoothe as the best street pads & have a long lifespan compaired to real racing pads. IDK about the control arms. Check Lexus/Toyota/internet & local autoparts stores I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eman_be_lexin Posted December 15, 2005 Author Share Posted December 15, 2005 I got Hawk HPS's as well on my 97 with 172000 miles on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toysrme Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Give them 100 miles to break in, give the rotors 1000. Then enjoy it. Change the brake fluid too (Ya I know, it's a week late LoL). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khhoang Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 no affiliation with this seller but i see these often on ebay for control arms with bushing and ball joint: lexus es300 control arm search on ebay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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