LX470 shocks not dampning!!!!

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5151broadway

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Tucson, AZ
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Hi folks,

Haven't been here in a while, but always found you guys really helpful. I've got a 2002 LX470 with ARB bumper, Slee sliders, Warn winch, and a few other things.

I noticed that the truck was not increasing it's ride height as quickly as before, and the ride was getting rougher.

I purchased new actuators from Kieth at B&B, and at the same time installed new shocks. I know the shocks probably were not necessary, but I'm one to do things like this with my vehicles. Once installed, things were fine for a few months.

Now the shocks have NO dampning. My mechanic tried to bleed all air out of the system, and we are fairly sure that we got it all. Kieth agrees with us that we probably don't have any air in the system. We did collapse each shock and went through FOUR cans of the Lexus hydrolic fluid.

I brought it to the dealer so they could scan the system. They come up with, "George, we recommend you installing new actuators." We did get a low voltgage reading on the fluid pressure sensor, but I don't think that would stop all dampning.

Anyone have any ideas to help me out here? This has been a month on misery, frustration, and money.

Thanks for any help.

George
 
I'm gonna be the one to say it first, remove the AHC. It will save on the misery, frustration and eventually money. I say eventually because there's the initial cost.
 
If you purchased new actuators from Kieth at B&B and the dealer tells you "George, we recommend you installing new actuators." We did get a low voltage reading on the fluid pressure sensor. I would make my next call to Kieth and ask why the low reading and the dealer wants me to replace your new actuators.

Have you maintained your AHC fuild and system per the owners manual?
 
Kieth has sent me and my mechanic all the ways to check to see what may be wrong. Kieth told me that he would work with me. We're hoping it's the fluid pressure sensor, or something simple. We've been trouble shooting this for about a month. Finally gave up, and went to the dealer. Told I have bad actuators.

I asked is they checked them, and they told me they couldn't as they were aftermarket items. So, now my mechanic is pissed, and I'm without a suspension on my truck.

I have maintained this truck better than the manual states. There is nothing but new fluid in the AHC system. We bled about four cans of the stuff at $75 per can to make sure that we got all the air out of the system.

I've got TOO much money tied up with all new AHC stuff to now throw in the towel.

Just thought there might be an expert here to give us a secret to get this fixed. If it's the actuators, I'm sure Kieth will send me new ones. I can't believe that all FOUR would go out at the exact time. Just doesn't make sense. I have the original ones, and we may install those to see if it's the new actuators.

Thanks,

George
 
5151broadway said:
Kieth has sent me and my mechanic all the ways to check to see what may be wrong. Kieth told me that he would work with me. We're hoping it's the fluid pressure sensor, or something simple. We've been trouble shooting this for about a month. Finally gave up, and went to the dealer. Told I have bad actuators.

I asked is they checked them, and they told me they couldn't as they were aftermarket items. So, now my mechanic is pissed, and I'm without a suspension on my truck.

I have maintained this truck better than the manual states. There is nothing but new fluid in the AHC system. We bled about four cans of the stuff at $75 per can to make sure that we got all the air out of the system.

I've got TOO much money tied up with all new AHC stuff to now throw in the towel.

Just thought there might be an expert here to give us a secret to get this fixed. If it's the actuators, I'm sure Kieth will send me new ones. I can't believe that all FOUR would go out at the exact time. Just doesn't make sense. I have the original ones, and we may install those to see if it's the new actuators.

Thanks,

George
Click to expand...


I see your frustration and I'm sorry I cant help but this is of interest to me. I have recently purchased an '06 with AHC and longevity is a concern with the AHC. Please keep your thread up on your progress and best of luck.

Also refuse to pay $75 for AHC fuild in Phoenix I paid $24 when I bleed mine AHC system a month ago. If you need my source PM me.
 
Checking the actuators (actually the spheres) is easy.
How many graduations change on the AHC fluid reservoir do you get when going from Lo to Hi? There's a How-to guide in here somewhere, which gives the details.
 
I have been tele-conferencing with Owner and Mechanic regularly--latest testing shows no voltage/current coming from the AHC computer to the ride control valves. The solenoid coils check good, wiring checks good. A used ECU was purchased and installed, same situation.

IF the accumulators were bad (flat) the suspension would be rock hard (no travel at all) At present it just bounces up and down with no dampening at all-indicating Good accumulators, but no dampening valve actuation. Anyone happen to have an idea of just what 'output' is normal from the AHC computer to the ride control valve solenoids? All of us want to find the cause and fix it. NO error codes from the AHC system. Any suggestions?
 
Access to Shop Manuals

Hi guys,

My LX470 has had no dampning from the shocks for over a month. I've installed new actuators from Kieth at B&B. Still no dampning. Took it to the dealer, said bad actuators, and wanted to install new ones just after purchasing from B & B. The truck is not stiff like bad actuators, just have NO dampning. Thought it was the computer under the dash, purchased a new one....nope, no dampaning.

We can't get access to shop manuals for the suspension system. My mechanic is pulling his hair out trying to get this fixed. It's been down for a month.

Anyone know of a source for us to get manuals? I'd be grateful.

Regards,

George
 
So, how many graduations does the AHC fluid level change when going from L to H? I.e. is it the spheres?

When you get it fixed again, make sure you get the suspension tuned between steel & gas springs (Neutral Pressure). The spheres (gas springs) are not designed to take the extra weight of winch, bullbar and sliders. That's the job of the steel springs (coils & TB), so those have to be adjusted or changed to cope. They also weaken over time. With some extra weight on you can't even expect the AHC to be able to lift you to Hi position when the steel springs have sagged a bit.
 
uHu said:
Checking the actuators (actually the spheres) is easy.
How many graduations change on the AHC fluid reservoir do you get when going from Lo to Hi? There's a How-to guide in here somewhere, which gives the details.
Click to expand...

IIRC, the spec is 7 gradations, but I'm not sure how much faith I have in that since there was a guy on ClubLexus who had at least that many gradations and his actuators were still shot.

Did you change or adjust the stock front torsion bars for the weight of the winch? I find that with the sahara bar, the front sits 1/2" lower than stock when in low (weight is pretty much all on the bars and coils). The sahara bar adds probably around 60 lbs more than stock to the front. The FSM says the bars should be adjusted if you put more than 20 lbs over stock up front, so your winch/ARB together would probably add 160-200 lbs more to the front, enough to lead to the early demise of the front suspension unless you installed OEM LC bars.
 
5151broadway said:
It turned out to be four bad actuators. Keith sent me four new ones from B&B suspension. I've got a spare ACH computer if anyone needs one. I paid $250 from a wrecked LX if anyone needs one.

Thanks for the help.

George
Click to expand...

How did you determine they were bad?
 
No Dampening LX-470 cause

I do not have any information on why the vehicle reportedly had no dampening. I did not know until now it had extra weight hanging on it, but that was unlikely to have caused the problem.

Mechanic reported good suspension travel (indicating good accumulators) but no dampening. He said everything on diagnostics checked good,but could not get any voltage reading to the dampening valves. Toyota technical support was no held (of course we now know they were focusing on the 'acceleration' non-problem' and the Prius bad brakes problems, and??)

After lots of phone calls, head scratching, I sent at my expense another set of accumulators. Then things went completely silent--no further feedback--just stony silence.

I finally called this week and Mechanic said 'installed the new accumulators and everything works fine now.'

Defective accumulators will cause NO suspension travel, not what was reported on this vehicle. I DO NOT know why it did not have any dampening.

Band B promptly supplies replacement accumulators if a customer reports they THINK an accumulator failed--we immediately ship replacements at our cost domestically without any deposit or core charge in advance. Failure rates are very low. All failures have thus far been tiny gas leaks from around the charging screw seal (defective O-rings) which develop 1-6 months after installation.
 
how much more difficult is it to remove AHC on 2000 versus 98-99? Earlier threads implied there was more traction and stability control tied into the AHC in the 2000+ models.... I am looking at 2000 on Monday and also a 2000 LC in same area. Wife likes the LX as it is VERY nice.....but it will not only be my DD but also my wheeling vehicle....so my first concern behind maintenance and quality of truck is best for modding..with least amount of McGyver fixes.
 
Brock said:
how much more difficult is it to remove AHC on 2000 versus 98-99? Earlier threads implied there was more traction and stability control tied into the AHC in the 2000+ models.... I am looking at 2000 on Monday and also a 2000 LC in same area. Wife likes the LX as it is VERY nice.....but it will not only be my DD but also my wheeling vehicle....so my first concern behind maintenance and quality of truck is best for modding..with least amount of McGyver fixes.
Click to expand...

No, just put a OME lift on it and you will be 100% ok. AHC has nothing to do with the trac systems.
 
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