OE manufacturer of 2007 Lexus struts

[The_Eric]

Going to be putting struts on the better half's "new" RX350. Would like to go oem but if that doesn't meet my budget, may go aftermarket.
Ideally at a minimum, I'd like to stay with the OE supplier

Shopping around I found the usual suspects from Monroe and KYB, but am not really interested in those unless I have to be... Also found some from Sachs too. Are they an oe supplier to Lexus/Toyota?

 

[nwjones18]

Not sure why KYB being the usual suspect would cause you to rule them out I have read that they were indeed the OE manufacture for some Toyota products.

 

[Hall]

Can't help specifically but try going to Rockauto and look at the struts they sell. Sometimes one of the parts will include a note like "OE supplier".

 

[ruhroh]

Why not KYB? Their aftermarket parts aren't the same as their OE parts but they are an OEM. I've bought TRW, owned by Sachs, for a Toyota but they were just rebadged KYB Excel-Gs. I could see where the KYB sticker used to be.

I think the stock part might, not sure, have been made by Tokico but they've been gone awhile now.

 

[nwjones18]

Also something I've had good luck with is warehouse deals on amazon for shocks. I just looked up one P/N for your car (front left no air suspension) and they have a warehouse deal one for $39..

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-334400-E...0&qid=1650331944&sprefix=334400,aps,89&sr=8-2

 

[The_Eric]

Mostly wanting to stay away from the generic valving that some aftermarket dampers have. This is a recently acquired project that is in really, really good shape and just want to something pamper her with.

 

[clinebarger]

Sachs is a OE supplier of Toyota/Lexus Struts.

 

[The Critic]

The RX rides fairly soft. A lot of the aftermarket options will stiffen the ride considerably. I would try to budget for the dealer ones, at least for the front.

 

[The_Eric]

Thank you guys for the links and input, its much appreciated.

 

[nthach]

Sachs is a OE supplier of Toyota/Lexus Struts.

On the F cars(IS F/GS F/RC F) and some of the F Sport GS/IS yes. Else, Lexus models come with KYB or Tokico depending if there are electronically-adjustable shocks(ES/NX/RX F Sport and KDSS GX) or not.

 

[meep]

I’ve really appreciated the sachs tuning in the Volvos I’ve had. I’m not sure if the aftermarket kybs will be identically valved to oem, even though that would make the most sense. what does the dealer charge for them? I think my Lexus sedan could be better tuned in the shocks - i prefer how bmw will allow a little more travel without floating.

 

[The_Eric]

I’ve really appreciated the sachs tuning in the Volvos I’ve had. I’m not sure if the aftermarket kybs will be identically valved to oem, even though that would make the most sense. what does the dealer charge for them? I think my Lexus sedan could be better tuned in the shocks - i prefer how bmw will allow a little more travel without floating.

Just got the price list from the dealer - my cost is $221/ea for the front and $190/ea for the rear

It's mighty tempting to try a kyb that's for sure, especially those linked above

 

[The_Eric]

Also something I've had good luck with is warehouse deals on amazon for shocks. I just looked up one P/N for your car (front left no air suspension) and they have a warehouse deal one for $39..

https://www.amazon.com/KYB-334400-E...0&qid=1650331944&sprefix=334400,aps,89&sr=8-2

What exactly is a "warehouse" deal? Is see a new one for $98 and a used one for $39 - is that what you're talking about?

 

[Imp4]

What exactly is a "warehouse" deal? Is see a new one for $98 and a used one for $39 - is that what you're talking about?

@The_Eric, yes it's the used (like new) one.
I'd be on that deal like stink on you know what.
Likely someone bought the wrong part number and returned it. Amazon cannot then resell it as new.

I've bought stuff like this from Amazon warehouse several times in the past and I've always been happy with the price and the quality.

 

[nwjones18]

What exactly is a "warehouse" deal? Is see a new one for $98 and a used one for $39 - is that what you're talking about?

@Imp4 pretty much covered it, but yeah in my experience they normally just have torn up packages, but a new item. I’ve noticed lots of warehouse deals on heavy items like brake rotors/calipers and shocks. If you aren’t happy with them can return like anything else from Amazon..

 

[UG_Passat]

Aftermarket dampers will usually be valved to be "slightly" stiffer than factory... around 5 to 15% stiffer

 

[Silver]

I've found repeatedly "oem mfg" doesn't correlate much. Good luck, but if I were dead set on oem ride I'd pay for the Lexus logo but I'd still look online, not the actual den of the beast. I'd go with a premium Monroe before I'd go on mfg alone. In my experience Monroe tends to preserve the softer oem feel versus the more "hip" brands.

 

[Jake_J]

It's important to remember that buying the strut made by the OE manufacturer and buying the OE strut are often not the same thing. KYB is a Japanese company that makes many OE and aftermarket struts but often the OE KYB made strut will be softer than the aftermarket KYB strut for the same car.

 

[Job]

Mostly wanting to stay away from the generic valving that some aftermarket dampers have. This is a recently acquired project that is in really, really good shape and just want to something pamper her with.

Good caution.
For Toyota I go to a particular online dealer in my area that has really good web prices. I called the parts dept directly once and the parts were twice as much at the counter. They have free shipping over $75 and often have further sales off internet price. Or I have gone there in a pinch to pick them up.

 

[The_Eric]

Good caution.
For Toyota I go to a particular online dealer in my area that has really good web prices. I called the parts dept directly once and the parts were twice as much at the counter. They have free shipping over $75 and often have further sales off internet price. Or I have gone there in a pinch to pick them up.

Do you care to share the name?

Or do others have an online recommendation?

For now I succumbed to the siren call of low cost parts. It was hard to pass up a $500 savings over OE. Ended up buying kyb, BUT.... The main reason why I did was for the fronts in their description it was stated that they are specifically valved for the Lexus RX cars.. I'm hoping I don't grt burnt.