Changing out the AHC suspension fluid?

[Tinkerer]

Originally Posted by Texasoil

Tinkerer-- Perhaps YOU 'the expert' on Toyota's AHC system? It seems the Dealer techs are not based on the experiences of some of my customers (admittedly not a comprehensive survey.) If so, please share your knowledge with us--me a small supplier of highly specialized hydraulic components-others are owners of the vehicles which require these parts. Your service life experience may well be the longest so far. You or the successor owner ARE going to have to replace the accumulators.

Your suggestion on 'real world' experience is valid.
I WILL post (with permission granted) on my website unsolicited comments from some customers.


I realize it is highly unlikely you will ever be a customer of B and B Suspension -as you make that quite clear. However, I did not expect such a negative and hostile slam disguised as legitimate questions. Forum Members deserve better.

My sincerest apologies. I do not intend offense, I only seek information. As noted, kudos for developing this product - it appears to be a cool product, and possibly an improvement over OEM. You've done far more than I have here. (And NO, I'm not an expert on the AHC system.)

In fact, I might be interested in purchasing these B&B products when mine fail. But I need more information to support the decision - because unlike some, I don't have $1400 to spend on something that fails prematurely and messes up other stuff too, so I really need more info than you have provided so far. Sorry if you took offense at that.

Cheers.

[Texasoil]

Noted, accepted, I understand the dilemma. Even though Washington-crats say 'economy is good, unemployment is low' somehow most folks do not have more purchasing power than 5 years ago. Same here. Cars we own are 13,13,15 yrs old and I maintain them. New stuff with comparable performance/comfort is way too 'spensive' for such vanity.

I WILL get customer comments posted. Any specific questions will be answered so far as practical.

Toyota OEM units are the best OEM units out there, just outrageously costly. Comparable service units on MBZ are available aftermarket from OEM supplier for $150 each. Toyota chose to use a special connection and non-standard physical shape and size, which is not available from any but their OEM supplier. THis is why they can keep price up.

I had to figure a better way--and I did. Questions welcome

[hkeller]

I'm not sure how many of you have spoken with Keith, but he is a stand-up guy. I had to have all four of my accumulators go flat on our 2000 LX 470. I was going to send them to Keith, but Lexus stepped in at the last minute and agreed to pay for the part out of warranty.

Keith is an engineer and is exceptionally knowlegdable about these types of systems. Toyota is not the only user. Mercedes, Citrieon (sp?), etc., have used these for year and Keith nows his stuff. If, when, my accumulators go again, I'll buy from Keith.

The damn thing is is Toyota's pricing. Rolls Royce uses a similar system, but there replacement accumulators are only like $80 a piece. Go figure.

[tom.]

How to remove all of the old fluid from reservoir?

[rwheelz]

large plastic syringe and a piece of tubing!