2010 LX570 - Dealer Wants $4K to replace accumulators (4 Viewers)

[mtnracer]

Hi All. I took our 2010 LX to Lexus this morning because of poor suspension performance. I just got the call from the service advisor that the fluid level is low because the accumulators are supposedly leaking (I never noticed any leaks on the driveway) and they recommend replacing the accumulators for $4K.

Is this expected? Can the fluid just be replaced? Looking at parts online it looks like the accumulators are definitely pricey. There seems to be an accumulator and accumulator control for each corner.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[grinchy]

oh boy. There's a lot to unpack here, but yes, the accumulators (spheres, globes) do have a service life and 10 years is probably a good replacement interval.

You can add fluid yourself, it's a hydraulic system, and you can add the very specific AHC fluid, which the dealer will sell you for $30/qt. A 200cc syringe or transfer pump is required, and the access to the tank is behind the right side rear wheel (US passenger side).

Replacing the accumulators yourself requires no special tools, can be done for around $700 including all parts and fluid, and takes a couple hours. It is a simple job comparable to change brakes and bleeding the brake fluid after. (do not use brake fluid in your AHC system).

your shocks are likely what is leaking. These are really valved fluid reservoirs in this system, and they wear out at the gasket, not from cycles, like a regular shock would. You can probably look at your shocks and find the seeps. A shock replacement also requires bleeding the AHC system.

NEVER let your reservoir run dry. You can overfill with relative impunity (but don't) but if it runs empty the pump will lose prime and it is difficult to reprime the pump.

Finally, this board knows more about AHC than your dealer does. So use the resource here to get direction to pass along. If you trust the dealer implicitly it is highly likely the will screw up.

 

[grinchy]

LX570 Suspension Help

I'm very excited to have finally acquired a LX 570 and to be back in an SUV (missed my old Toyota 4runner from many years ago). I bought my LX about 3 months ago (2009 with 145k miles and serviced exclusively at my local Lexus dealer) and it has been great thus far, with one significant...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[grinchy]

there are also options to go to coil and spring

 

[mtnracer]

oh boy. There's a lot to unpack here, but yes, the accumulators (spheres, globes) do have a service life and 10 years is probably a good replacement interval.

You can add fluid yourself, it's a hydraulic system, and you can add the very specific AHC fluid, which the dealer will sell you for $30/qt. A 200cc syringe or transfer pump is required, and the access to the tank is behind the right side rear wheel (US passenger side).

Replacing the accumulators yourself requires no special tools, can be done for around $700 including all parts and fluid, and takes a couple hours. It is a simple job comparable to change brakes and bleeding the brake fluid after. (do not use brake fluid in your AHC system).

your shocks are likely what is leaking. These are really valved fluid reservoirs in this system, and they wear out at the gasket, not from cycles, like a regular shock would. You can probably look at your shocks and find the seeps. A shock replacement also requires bleeding the AHC system.

NEVER let your reservoir run dry. You can overfill with relative impunity (but don't) but if it runs empty the pump will lose prime and it is difficult to reprime the pump.

Finally, this board knows more about AHC than your dealer does. So use the resource here to get direction to pass along. If you trust the dealer implicitly it is highly likely the will screw up.

How can it be done for $700 including parts when the parts alone (searched online, not dealer quote) are over $4K? Found the prices here: 2010 Lexus LX570 Height Control (Auto-Leveler) - Lexus Parts Now - https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/page_product/pl?vin=JTJHY7AX6A4038842&filter=()&subCategoryUrl=power_train_chassis%2fheight_control_auto_leveler&diagram=&partNumbers=

 

[radman]

LX570 AHC Globe/Accumulator Replacement

I did a walk you through step by step procedure on how to replace the accumulator globes on the Lexus LX570. This same process will work on the Lexus LX470 as well, but the components are in slightly different locations. Feel free to comment or ask any questions below. I hope this is helpful for...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[grinchy]

This is one example. There are some washers $30, and 4 or 5 liters of fluid you'll need as well.

GENUINE LEXUS LX570 LANDCRUISER 200 FRONT REAR SUSPENSION ACCUMULATORS SET OF 4 | eBay

Landcruiser UZJ200 URJ202 VDJ200,2007~2018 HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION ONLY. Lexus LX570 2008~2018HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION ONLY. GENUINE TOYOTA LEXUS SUSPENSION ACCUMULATORS. We may also ask to provide pictures to help expedite the claim process.

www.ebay.com

Basically, it's the power of the grey market. The land cruiser / lx570 are global products.

I suggest before you jump in the deep end that you take some time to read and plan what you want to do. The car will be fine for a couple more weeks.

 

[mtnracer]

This is one example. There are some washers $30, and 4 or 5 liters of fluid you'll need as well.

GENUINE LEXUS LX570 LANDCRUISER 200 FRONT REAR SUSPENSION ACCUMULATORS SET OF 4 | eBay

Landcruiser UZJ200 URJ202 VDJ200,2007~2018 HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION ONLY. Lexus LX570 2008~2018HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION ONLY. GENUINE TOYOTA LEXUS SUSPENSION ACCUMULATORS. We may also ask to provide pictures to help expedite the claim process.

www.ebay.com

Basically, it's the power of the grey market. The land cruiser / lx570 are global products.

I suggest before you jump in the deep end that you take some time to read and plan what you want to do. The car will be fine for a couple more weeks.

Wow. That's amazing. Another question: What is the cylindrical accumulator part for? Do they get replaced together with the "globes"?

 

[grinchy]

The are 'low frequency' and 'high frequency' accumulators. Typically only the low frequency items are replaced. If my memory serves there is something like 11 different accumulators in the full system. There are some overviews somewhere on the site.

 

[TeCKis300]

Dr. grinchy AHC in the house, he's gotcha covered

 

[grinchy]

All day workshop - distractions welcomed!

 

[mtnracer]

The are 'low frequency' and 'high frequency' accumulators. Typically only the low frequency items are replaced. If my memory serves there is something like 11 different accumulators in the full system. There are some overviews somewhere on the site.

Awesome. Thank you. The Lexus tech is supposed to call me shortly to explain what they are proposing. I am hoping to confirm that he wants to replace the globes. If so, I will buy them myself and install them using the video. I don't wrench much but have installed all new shocks, torsion bars and springs on my old Land Cruiser so I hope I can figure it out.

 

[mtnracer]

Just got off the phone with the tech and he confirmed they are only replacing the globes and the fluid.

 

[grinchy]

You could just do a fluid exchange, many see a dramatic improvement with just that maintenance step.

 

[tbisaacs]

I’d take a deep breath and go get the truck from the dealer. I just replaced my accumulators for ~ $600 and two years ago shocks for about the same price. As Dr. grinchy pointed out it’s a very easy job.

 

[mtnracer]

I’d take a deep breath and go get the truck from the dealer. I just replaced my accumulators for ~ $600 and two years ago shocks for about the same price. As Dr. grinchy pointed out it’s a very easy job.

Thanks. I already ordered the accumulators from ebay. Dealer is doing a brake service on the rear so I will pick it up Monday or Tuesday. I already told them I will not do the $4k suspension job at this time. I wonder if Lexus will install the parts once I get them. LOL

 

[tbisaacs]

Thanks. I already ordered the accumulators from ebay. Dealer is doing a brake service on the rear so I will pick it up Monday or Tuesday. I already told them I will not do the $4k suspension job at this time. I wonder if Lexus will install the parts once I get them. LOL

My Lexus dealer wouldn’t but a independent shop would. I did accumulators myself but paid to have shocks installed with me providing shocks and fluid.

 

[mtnracer]

Quick update: I got the new accumulators and spoke to Lexus about installation. They said as long as the parts are genuine Lexus they can install them. Labor would be around $500 with the fluid. So that means my total repair cost will be $1200 compared to $4000 as initially quoted. This is crazy. Dealers must be making money hand over fist.

 

[grinchy]

Quick update: I got the new accumulators and spoke to Lexus about installation. They said as long as the parts are genuine Lexus they can install them. Labor would be around $500 with the fluid. So that means my total repair cost will be $1200 compared to $4000 as initially quoted. This is crazy. Dealers must be making money hand over fist.

Dealers can’t buy gray market parts. And yes, service is a profit center.
4 hours is till too much time, but that’s just my opinion.
The real issue is they arent practiced in the basic fluid mgmt required to bleed the system correctly. Make suRe you get the service mgr to acknowledge that they are responsible for any issues with bleeding. if they run the reservoir dry while bleeding it is non trivial to reprime the pump and correctly resuscitate fuNction.

 

[rudy raiser]

Dealers can’t buy gray market parts. And yes, service is a profit center.
4 hours is till too much time, but that’s just my opinion.
The real issue is they arent practiced in the basic fluid mgmt required to bleed the system correctly. Make suRe you get the service mgr to acknowledge that they are responsible for any issues with bleeding. if they run the reservoir dry while bleeding it is non trivial to reprime the pump and correctly resuscitate fuNction.

What type of issues would you see if the system is not properly bled?