majkmil Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Hi, I have a 98LS400 with 73K. I got two new strutbars from park place Lexus in Tx. I was going ti install these myself but I think it may be a little beyond my skills. Do you think I will have any trouble brining the parts to a mechanic and have them install them? And how many labor hours do you think this job will take? Thanks Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blake918 Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 It should take a mechanic about two hours or so (+/- depending on if he's ever done this before.). And tell him to mark the strut rods so that you don't lose your alignment. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majkmil Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 It shouldn't take a mechanic any more than an hour-hour and a half, maybe two if he takes his time. And tell him to mark the strut rods so that you don't lose your alignment. ;) Thank you/ The only thing that I was a little nervous about was removing the shock. I have replaced ball joints and tie rod ends but not shocks. Is it a hard job? I have the manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blake918 Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Shocks are real easy. I just did mine a few weeks ago, and it wasn't bad at all. I hope you have an air ratchet to compress your springs!!! :D I don't remember needing to disconnect the shock to get the strut rod out, it's been a while though. Even if you do need to disconnect it, it doesn't take much time to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majkmil Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 Shocks are real easy. I just did mine a few weeks ago, and it wasn't bad at all. I hope you have an air ratchet to compress your springs!!! :D I don't remember needing to disconnect the shock to get the strut rod out, it's been a while though. Even if you do need to disconnect it, it doesn't take much time to do so. The manual says I need to remave the lower shock bracket to remove the strutbar and from the looks I am pretty sure you do. I would need to remove the shock to get at the bracket. I am not replacing shocks so I dont have to take the shock apart. When the car is raised is the shock fully extended so when I remove it, It wont spring apart more and will it go back in without needing any compression? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blake918 Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Nope, you don't have to worry about the shock flying out of there--it'll stay in one piece! I just looked at mine, and it does look like that shock bracket has to come out. I recall only paying about 2 hours worth of labor when I had mine changed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majkmil Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 Nope, you don't have to worry about the shock flying out of there--it'll stay in one piece! I just looked at mine, and it does look like that shock bracket has to come out. I recall only paying about 2 hours worth of labor when I had mine changed.... Thank You Blake. Do you think it is worth my time do DIY? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexus400 Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 I think you guys might be talking about two different things... The strutbar (or strut rod) is a rod/bushing that connects from the bottom of the wheel hub to the front bumper area. Totally different than the "strut" assembly. If you have done other front end work, you can definitely handle changing them. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blake918 Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Maj and I are on the same page. The question about the shocks is whether or not you have to unbolt the shock and its bracket to get at the two nuts that connect the strutrod to the lca. I just snapped a few pictures with my car on ramps, and it does look like you need to take that strut bracket off. Maybe there is a trick, but I'm not seeing it! LOL .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexus400 Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 ok, gotcha.... I'm pretty sure I took the bracket off when I did mine about a year ago. There wasn't enough room to move that stud up to get it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oohryry Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Hi, I have a 98LS400 with 73K. I got two new strutbars from park place Lexus in Tx. I was going ti install these myself but I think it may be a little beyond my skills. Do you think I will have any trouble brining the parts to a mechanic and have them install them? And how many labor hours do you think this job will take? Thanks Mark Had mine done at Midas for around $120.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mann777 Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 I had sewell done fro me some time back for 190/- plus 60/- on the labour, as they had done the wheel alignment perfectly well. You need to make sure this is done, if not some vibration occur at top speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 After so many years ,i have finally learned what the damn strut rod is . Now i have to go and change mine as i was never sure exactly how it figured into everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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