2010 LX570 AHC lean, super bumpy ride, and other problems (1 Viewer)

[TexanLX570]

I’ve been reading every thread on this I can but our 2010 lx570 has been leaning to the right now and then and rides very very bumpy. Almost all AHC adjustments are louder than they used to be. The adjustments are sometimes sudden or quick and very noticeable now, where they used to be slower and unnoticeable.

Had Lexus change 2 shocks, the front & rear driver side for $2k, they said were bad but this hardly improved the bumpy ride and all AHC symptoms persist. They warned me it probably wouldn’t help bouncy ride very much

Had them check out AHC system and they said it would probably be $6-7k. The only detail I got out of this was that there was a leak in the system, they could see it leaking slowly, and might need accumulators and valves. They didn’t charge me for the inspection so I didn’t get it in writing Or very many details bc at time didn’t think I’d be doing it myself

Well now I have hooked up Techstream and am diagnosing it. No individual spec stands out so far but there were 2 historical codes, not current, C1713 & 1714 meaning Rear Height Control Sensor RH Circuit Malfunction & LH Circuit malfunction.

I cleared those then ran active tests and when raised front both sides at same time all the way up techstream displayed an error and AHC warning popped up on dash. Got error codes C1764 “Abnormal Leveling Valve Oil Pressure” & 1765 “Abnormal Accumulator Valve Oil Pressure”. I saw oil pressure rise to around 17 or so on Techstream at same time as test

One thing I wonder about on that is when doing this test you hold down the arrow for which way u want suspension to go and it seemed like it reached the top and I possibly held button down too long. I would think it wouldn’t let u raise it too far but seems like that’s what it did. It’s like pump tried to keep raising it which caused pressure to rise too high.

So I don’t know if this is operator error or actual problem with AHC system bc doesn’t seem to happen outside of tezt

Then I did active test on rear, both wheels at same time. Went low and it worked. Then raised up and it stopped. Techstream gave error and got AHC error again on dash. Got new error C1763 “Abnormal Pump Motor Oil Pressure”

With both of these active tests as soon as I cleared codes car returned to normal position and AHC functions normally, the new bumpy ride loud leaning…as of year or so ago… normal

I then ran active tests on all solenoids and accumulator valve. They all worked. This test was recommended when my error codes were present. This supposedly indicates height control valve is working but there could be a clog in a line

Any thoughts?

I haven’t checked AHC fluid level yet but that’s next and going to look at height sensors and keep digging. Any advice is appreciated. My wife is really tired of bouncing around all over town

 

[tbisaacs]

Bouncy ride is usually a failed accumulator but for sure check the fluid level, inspect height sensors, and confirm you also don’t have a leak.

 

[lx200inAR]

Definitely doing some things out of order here.

If you truly have a leak, you need to fix that of course. If your ride height is somewhat normal and adjusts up and down and you have a very rough ride, then I agree you should start with fluid and globes. Replacing "shocks" probably didn't do much for you, but good on the Lexus dealer to tell you that before hand. All of your "comfort" control is in the globes. If you have a blown globe, or more than one, you essentially don't really have any spring on that corner anymore. Also, if you have a blown globe, then the system is using more fluid to keep the truck up. So using techstream to max out height could have possibly ran you out of fluid. Sounds like the system protected itself. You shouldn't ever see more than about 13-14mPa on the pressure sensor in a normal functioning system, and that's just for filling the accumulator. During height changes you shouldn't see more than 10mpa going into high and 7-8mpa going into N (the accumulator refills after most height changes in the up direction, so you almost always see the 13mpa on the sensor during those events).

Lots of threads on replacing globes and it can by DIY'd for about $600. The dealer will certainly want in the 6-7k range. I would start there (assuming no leaks). Possibly, beforehand check your height sensors and make sure they are showing something reasonable. If you are in N and the truck is somewhat close to level they should read 0. N=0 and then any value you see is in reference to how far out it is from N. If you have one that is way off, that could be causing a lean. It would not be strange to have the sensors read +- 10mm. More than that then I'd start questioning stuff.

 

[TexanLX570]

Checked fluid level and seems good, maybe on the higher side. This makes sense because I’m sure when Lexus did the two shocks they topped off fluid so of course wouldn’t notice a slow leak judging from the reservoir level right now

Took some pics of fluid levels at different car heights. Also took off wheel well guards to get better look at fluid and pump. Also took the time to clean the area a little bit which I really shouldn’t bother with, but I tend to do when I work on a car

The fasteners in the pic came from the guards. The one with red arrow was a real pain to get off, around six or seven of those. You unscrew the screw first, and then you have to pinch the sides of the other part, which is behind the guard and really hard to get to in each location

Probably not worth taking all that off, but it’s too late now. Also dropped the spare to get a better look at the different components

Now going to inspect lines & components for leaks and check height sensors

 

[lx200inAR]

I’d say your fluid levels look good. I’ll be surprised if you have a leak if it’s been a while since you had it serviced.

 

[Willie G]

I’d say your fluid levels look good. I’ll be surprised if you have a leak if it’s been a while since you had it serviced.

Agreed.

Also agree that the globes are the most likely culprit. The rule of thumb is replace globes around the 10 year mark. If your Lexus service history from previous owners doesn't show that, you're past due.

 

[TexanLX570]

tbisaacs and lx200inAR​

Thank both of you for the info. As you both say it sure seems like the accumulators. On techstream all height sensors check out. Checked half the car for leaks and corroded or damaged height sensors and see no problems. Going to finish other half tomorrow but now about to dive head first into all things accumulators...starting on this site

 

[TexanLX570]

Agreed.

Also agree that the globes are the most likely culprit. The rule of thumb is replace globes around the 10 year mark. If your Lexus service history from previous owners doesn't show that, you're past due.

Car has been in family since brand new. I bought it from my mother at around 80k miles. Sher babied it. No problems whatsoever when she had it. Car now has 213k miles & 15 years on it & nothing has been touched on AHC system entire time. Looks like its past due.

On side note if anyone wonders about how well these cars hold up I changed myself, mostly from reading this site, the water pump, repaired the coolant valley plate leak(not fun), changed the starter(also not fun), had Lexus replace the radiator & recently had them replace 2 shocks on driver side.

Not too bad for 200k+ miles. Want to drive it for another 200k

Only complaint I have is Lexus dealership repairs cost an arm and a leg

 

[lx200inAR]

Car has been in family since brand new. I bought it from my mother at around 80k miles. Sher babied it. No problems whatsoever when she had it. Car now has 213k miles & 15 years on it & nothing has been touched on AHC system entire time. Looks like its past due.

On side note if anyone wonders about how well these cars hold up I changed myself, mostly from reading this site, the water pump, repaired the coolant valley plate leak(not fun), changed the starter(also not fun), had Lexus replace the radiator & recently had them replace 2 shocks on driver side.

Not too bad for 200k+ miles. Want to drive it for another 200k

Only complaint I have is Lexus dealership repairs cost an arm and a leg

If you’ve done the starter and valley plate, then globes will be a breeze. Get globes from eBay or directly from a Japanese distributor. Should be between 450-550 for all 4. Get fluid from local Toyota dealer, or have shipped from a discount parts dealer like Serra Toyota of Decatur. I’d buy 2 2.5L cans, you probably won’t need all of it. Should be about 80-100 for 2 cans. I’d try to flush system while swapping globes. Might get new bleeder caps, since they are cheap. Don’t order the washers that some of the DIYs say to get. They aren’t needed with the newer globes. You have a TX truck, so probably won’t have too much trouble getting the old ones off.

Based on how clean that fluid looks, you probably got a decent flush during the shock change.. so maybe not super important to flush. If not flushing, you might get away with 1 2.5L can. If you do that, I’d catch the fluid you bleed out in something very clean in case you need to reuse it.

Hopefully the new tariff situation doesn’t raise the price of globes substantially, but I suspect it might.

 

[tbisaacs]

If you’ve done the starter and valley plate, then globes will be a breeze. Get globes from eBay or directly from a Japanese distributor. Should be between 450-550 for all 4. Get fluid from local Toyota dealer, or have shipped from a discount parts dealer like Serra Toyota of Decatur. I’d buy 2 2.5L cans, you probably won’t need all of it. Should be about 80-100 for 2 cans. I’d try to flush system while swapping globes. Might get new bleeder caps, since they are cheap. Don’t order the washers that some of the DIYs say to get. They aren’t needed with the newer globes. You have a TX truck, so probably won’t have too much trouble getting the old ones off.

Based on how clean that fluid looks, you probably got a decent flush during the shock change.. so maybe not super important to flush. If not flushing, you might get away with 1 2.5L can. If you do that, I’d catch the fluid you bleed out in something very clean in case you need to reuse it.

Hopefully the new tariff situation doesn’t raise the price of globes substantially, but I suspect it might.

Plus 1. Totally easier than starter omg

 

[TexanLX570]

Plus 1. Totally easier than starter omg

I thought I would save time when changing the starter by not taking off the exhaust manifold. That was a huge mistake. Took me twice as long trying to get tools into that tiny space

Also broke lock on plug and to not have to revisit the starter for a very long time. I went ahead and rewired a new plug to make sure it stayed

You can also see in the pic with the red arrow. It looks like some leftover coolant that leaked from the valley plate.

Good times

 

[lx200inAR]

Yeah, I fumbled with that for about an hour then elected to take off the manifold. Luckily it all went smoothly. But I ordered new studs and nuts, I was prepared for war.

 

[TexanLX570]

As i try to order accumulators of course most shops in Japan are closed right now for Golden Week. Anyone used JPanime on Ebay? $458 shipped. Seems legit. They come from Japan and he has 99% good rating and sold 29000 items. The other shops in Japan are around $600+

 

[lx200inAR]

As i try to order accumulators of course most shops in Japan are closed right now for Golden Week. Anyone used JPanime on Ebay? $458 shipped. Seems legit. They come from Japan and he has 99% good rating and sold 29000 items. The other shops in Japan are around $600+View attachment 3898235

The ad says 600 sold. I’d roll with it. I don’t know if that number can be faked..but that’s pretty much the going rate for the lower priced shippers.

 

[TexanLX570]

The ad says 600 sold. I’d roll with it. I don’t know if that number can be faked..but that’s pretty much the going rate for the lower priced shippers.

Agree with you and just pulled the trigger. Now i've got to put car back together until parts get here. Having only one useable car for the family doesnt work well with kids and wife. Thanks for all the help. Will update how repair goes...

 

[Willie G]

I found this thread to be quite helpful:

LX570 AHC Globe/Accumulator Replacement - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/lx570-ahc-globe-accumulator-replacement.1193703/

Especially the use of a 13/16" six point socket instead of the slightly looser 21mm.

Took me about 4 hours - mostly because I'm old.

 

[urinalcake]

As i try to order accumulators of course most shops in Japan are closed right now for Golden Week. Anyone used JPanime on Ebay? $458 shipped. Seems legit. They come from Japan and he has 99% good rating and sold 29000 items. The other shops in Japan are around $600+View attachment 3898235

I just purchased and received them from that very vendor. New in box. Interestingly, in additional to the globes wrapped in plastic bag, the padding was Japanese newspaper. Excellent build quality. Threads and O-rings are lightly oiled.

They shipped quickly via FedEx. Understand it requires a signature for delivery, unless you sign for it ahead of time via indirect signature via FedEx. I only found out after missed attempts because no one was home to accept delivery. I didn't work on Good Friday, so it was home to sign for it that day.

 

[urinalcake]

I found this thread to be quite helpful:

LX570 AHC Globe/Accumulator Replacement - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/lx570-ahc-globe-accumulator-replacement.1193703/

Especially the use of a 13/16" six point socket instead of the slightly looser 21mm.

Took me about 4 hours - mostly because I'm old.

This. I missed the advice in that thread to use 13/16" socket and rounded the hex with the 21 mm socket. Had to use a lug nut extractor to remove the globe.

 

[TexanLX570]

I found this thread to be quite helpful:

LX570 AHC Globe/Accumulator Replacement - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/lx570-ahc-globe-accumulator-replacement.1193703/

Especially the use of a 13/16" six point socket instead of the slightly looser 21mm.

Took me about 4 hours - mostly because I'm old.

That’s a great resource. Already watched most of the video to see what I’m getting myself into.

Will probably take me longer than four hours bc I’ll find myself cleaning up every part around what I’m supposed to be working on. Bad habit of mine

 

[TexanLX570]

I just purchased and received them from that very vendor. New in box. Interestingly, in additional to the globes wrapped in plastic bag, the padding was Japanese newspaper. Excellent build quality. Threads and O-rings are lightly oiled.

View attachment 3898309
View attachment 3898311

They shipped quickly via FedEx. Understand it requires a signature for delivery, unless you sign for it ahead of time via indirect signature via FedEx. I only found out after missed attempts because no one was home to accept delivery. I didn't work on Good Friday, so it was home to sign for it that day.

That’s awesome. I figured with that many good reviews and parts sold they must be doing something right