2010 LX570 - Dealer Wants $4K to replace accumulators (1 Viewer)

[grinchy]

won't pressurize (stuck on low), burn out the pump as it isn't self priming, etc. I recommend a read of @eatSleepWoof build thread.

To be clear, I'm not too worried about the accumulator replacement, this is very simple and the dealer would have a hard time screwing up. But if, after they replace, they don't keep enough fluid in the reservoir to complete the bleeding process (add before bleeding, check and add at reservoir before continuing to next corner), they will get into a situation where it is more difficult to recover from.

Now, the bleeding itself is not difficult. It's simply a lack of understanding how the whole system works, and how to keep that system functioning during maintenance.

 

[mtnracer]

Update: Lexus dealer installed the new accumulators I provided (ordered from ebay for $700 total). Dealer provided the fluid. Total for labor and fluid was $655 so total cost was $1355 which is fine by me compared to $4K+ the dealer initially quoted. Ride is back to new and feels like it should. Thank you all.

 

[CharlieS]

Great news! You must be psyched. Now take a teeny portion of the savings and buy a membership star to help fund the website and keep this resource available to the community.

 

[JR YORK]

I just replaced all my accumulator globes and put all new AHC fluid in my '15 LX570. Total cost.....$600. You can find genuine Toyota/Lexus accumulator globes on eBay for $500. I paid almost $100 from Lexus for (2) AHC 2.5L containers of fluid. That's it. The hardest part of the install was getting a couple of the bolts out of the armor that needs ro come off in order to access the globes. I would recommend removing the running board brackets to access the back screws. This does not include any work on the shocks, which sounds like it may be an issue in your case?
The ride is now back to what I felt in my '21 LX570. It's actually better b/c i am running 18" wheels now. So much better.
You would be amazed what is possible after watching a few YouTube videos.
Best of luck.

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.

 

[JR YORK]

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.

Yep, cost me $600 to do it myself.