Important!

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

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear 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

Alternative products

Shock absorber

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

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Combination spanner #19
                    
                      Drive socket # 10 
                    
                      Drive socket # 12 
                    
                      Drive socket # 14 
                    
                      Drive socket # 17 
                    
                      Drive socket # 19 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #21
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Plastic trim tool
                    
                      Chain wrench
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. AUTODOC recommends:

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Open the boot lid.
Step 2

Move the folding shelf and detach it from the retainers. By doing this, you will get access to the side trim plastic panels.
Step 3

Remove the suspension strut mount cap. Use a plastic trim tool.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 7

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 13

Clean the ABS sensor fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Unscrew the ABS sensor fastener. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Clean the fastener of the bracket that connects the brake hose to the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the brake hose fastening bracket from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Loosen the fastener that connects the suspension strut to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 19

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 20

Unscrew the fastener that connects the suspension strut to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.

Step 21

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 22

Clean the ABS sensor fastener. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23

Unscrew the ABS sensor fastener. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 24

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 25

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 26

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. AUTODOC experts 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 27

Compress the spring.
Step 28

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a chain wrench. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 29

Release the coil spring.
Step 30

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 31

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 32

Remove the spring.
Step 33

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Tip from AUTODOC:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 34

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 35

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 36

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.

Step 37

Compress the spring.
Step 38

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 39

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a chain wrench. Use a drive socket #19. 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 40

Decompress the spring.
Step 41

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 42

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 43

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

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 45

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #14. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. Lexus RX XU30
Step 46

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 47

Tighten the fastener that connects the suspension strut to the rear knuckle. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 180 Nm torque.
Step 48

Screw in the ABS sensor fastener. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 49

Screw in the ABS sensor fastener. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 50

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 51

Tighten the stabiliser link fastener. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 52

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 53

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 39 Nm torque.
Step 54

Tighten the brake hose fastening bracket to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 55

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 56

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 57

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – Lexus RX XU30. AUTODOC recommends:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 58

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Lexus RX XU30
Step 59

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 60

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 61

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 62

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 63

Install the suspesion strut mount cap.
Step 64

Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 65

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

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