R.Holmes

I would like to put my 2 cents in on OEM versus AM windshield replacement. My insurance installed and AM about a year ago and today, it looks like it's 10 years old. A lot of pits. I live in Southern Calif. with very moderate wind and very little sand. When driving toward the sun in the evening, I can barely see because of the sun glare.(on the pitted glass) I am going to replace it in a few weeks and my insurance also refuses to replace it with OEM. PS: Got a notice that my insurance is not required to replace damaged auto parts with OEM.

Add my congrats to your NEW old '98 ES 300 I also have a '98 ES 300, Pearl White which I bought two years ago with 65,000. Now has 135,00 and still runs great. Have little maintainence done except normal maintainence,(tires, oil change, brakes etc.) The only major repair was that I replaced my struts a couple of weeks ago which I think was an error on the mechanic's misdiagnoses. Put new tires on and had a poor ride above 70 MPH. After several re-balancing of the tires, mechanic recommended replacing the struts. Replaced them and had the same problem. (even created a new one) We found out that the tires were improperly balanced. Corrected the balance problem and the car rides like I'm on a cushion of air. Also corrected the problem with the new struts. Addressing your clunking in the front end, I also had that clunk and I was thinking all sorts of things as to the cause of the problem. Thanks to the Lexus Forum and their help, I found the cure. (This was before I replaced the struts) A few squirts of lubricant on the top of the struts mount, (enough to adiquately lub it and get the oil into the mount). Simple but a great fix. This is not saying that you might not have other problems with the suspension. This fixed mine. GOOD LUCK!! and enjoy your Lexus. See my post on my strut replacement problem.

Concluded my test drive on residential speed bumps yesterday and am happy to say that I have my Lexus RIDE!! back. Found several different sizes of bumps and not a swish or squeak of any kind. Ride on rough road was good and on the freeway (Especially on San Diego Freeways) was like an air cushion ride. (Even at high speeds) My advice to others who might experience an unusual ride or handling, (Vibration, Shemmy, sounds, etc,etc.) and suspect struts are the problem, check tire balance and inspect and lub the suspension components. Also, if you replace the struts, (if you do it yourself) is to make sure it is aligned,(not binding in the mount.) I talked to a friend and he told me that he had the same swisshing sound I had and his mechanic came to the conclusion that the struts were mounted with a bind and the swisshing sound was unevern piston movement. (binding on one side.) Thanks for all of your inputs and I hope this helps others with this type of problem!!!

This is roymyboy with an update. Went to the installer yesterday. Took a test drive with owner. He said he coulc not hear the swishing sound. (He was driving and did not go over any dips. Just around the corner of the shop, we found a series of dips and sure enough, the first dip, Swissssh. Mechanic lubed all the components (Ball joints, tie rod, struts etc. etc.) 50 to 60% swisssh reduced but still there. Disassembled and reinstalled left strut. 99 % swissh reduction on left side. Did the same thing to the right strut. 99 % reduction. At least on the dips we drove over. I am going to find some residential speed bumps where it showed up the most before. Will keep you informed when I am satisfied. I want my Lexus RIDE!!!!! back. Note: All of my other suspension components are in good shape. 135,000 miles on the car.

Thanks for your input. My original problem was I bought new tires and the ride was terrible above 70 MPH. Dealer told me that I needed struts so we replaced them. Still had the same problem as with the oem struts. After a couple more rebalanceing of the tires, problem was solved and the ride was like gliding on air. This was the same ride that I had before changing the struts. A friend of mine has a '97 with about the same mileage and his Lexus does not have the swishing sound that the monroes have. He still has the oem struts. I have an appointment with the installer to replace the monroe's with a set of new ones. Hope this solves the problem. Ps: I can put up with a little swishing but not this loud.

I am new to the forum and I am trying to post a topic but seem to be having trouble. Here is another try to post. I just replaced my struts on my '98 Lexus es300. I replaced the OEM's with Monroe Sensatrac. I have noticed that I have a swishing sound from the struts when I go over speed bumps or over a dip like a street water drain or whenever the struts are compressed and decompressed. Has anyone experienced this with Monroe struts? I also have noticed that the ride is stiffer than the OEM's. Any help will be appreciated. If the problem can't be solved, I will replace them with OEM struts, (Which I don't want to do if I don't have to)