Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
LEXUS RX (MHU3_, GSU3_, MCU3_) 300 (MCU35_), LEXUS RX (MHU3_, GSU3_, MCU3_) 350 AWD (GSU35_), LEXUS RX (MHU3_, GSU3_, MCU3_) 330 AWD (MCU38) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on LEXUS RX400h 2 (XU30) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for RX (MHU3_, GSU3_, MCU3_) and other LEXUS models

Shock absorber

        Shock absorber for RX II (XU30) Petrol (204 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for RX II (XU30) Petrol (276 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for RX II (XU30) Petrol (232 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #21
                      
                        Drive socket # 12 
                      
                        Drive socket # 14 
                      
                        Drive socket # 17 
                      
                        Drive socket # 19 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #21
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Chain wrench
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Take the following steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Remove the suspension strut mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 4

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 5

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 6

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 7

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 8

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 9

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 10

Remove the wheel.
Step 11

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12

Detach the fastener connecting the ABS sensor cable to the shock strut.
Step 13

Clean the fasteners of the ABS sensor and of the brake hose which connect them to the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Disconnect the brake hose holder from the shock absorber strut. Unscrew the ABS sensor fastener. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 17

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a tap wrench.
Step 19

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 20

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 21

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 22

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Lexus RX XU30
Step 23

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 24

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Professionals recommend:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 25

Compress the spring.
Step 26

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 27

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a chain wrench. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 28

Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 29

Release the coil spring.
Step 30

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 31

Remove the spring.
Step 32

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 33

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 34

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 35

Compress the spring.
Step 36

Install the mount, the boot and the bump stop on the shock absorber.
Step 37

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a chain wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 38

Decompress the spring.
Step 39

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 40

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 41

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 42

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. Lexus RX XU30
Step 43

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 44

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 45

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 46

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21.
Step 47

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Lexus RX XU30 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 48

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 230 Nm torque.
Step 49

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 50

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.

Step 51

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 74 Nm torque.
Step 52

Tighten the brake hose fastener. Screw in the ABS sensor fastener. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 53

Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 54

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 56

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 57

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. Lexus RX XU30
Step 58

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 59

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 103 nm torque.
Step 60

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 61

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 62

Install the suspesion strut mount cap.
Step 63

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 64

Close the hood.
Step 65

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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