232k Miles and I think My Air Suspension Has Crapped Out

[gx470lurker]

Hi All,

Suspension got super bouncy this morning and I'm not sure what it is. I'll take it to the dealer this week to get it diagnosed.

However, when switching to coils, what's the cheapest way to go about this? I don't offroad and don't need a lift (but would lift it if it is the same price).

Any recommendations on switching to coils the cheapest way possible? Any recommendations for a ~2" lift?

 

[vwynn]

so you dont want a lift but want a cheap lift but only want to lift the rear? Hella Rake yo.

Have you searched coil conversions yet?

GX470 Rear Coil Conversion Kit Available @ Metal Tech 4x4

It is well known that the GX470 is an up and coming 4x4 platform that is now within the price range for a lot of people. Being aware of the rear air bag suspension and the downfalls that it has we decided to come up with a coil spring conversion kit to get rid of the air bags and switch to a...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Whitey1w]

I have an 08 with shocks that were put on about 27K ago. Air suspension is working fine. I’m switching to OME this month and will be getting rid of stuff I pull off.

I think if your feeling bouncy your air springs are ok, it’s your shocks that are needing some love. IMO

 

[Cooperd0g]

Whitey is probably correct that it is more likely the shocks, not the air springs.

However, if you lift the rear then you pretty much HAVE to lift the front too. That means extra $. If you just get the coil conversion kit from MetalTech or I think SSO has one and some springs you should be good. If you think the air springs are shot, the best bet for you might be just replacing them with the Arnott ones.

 

[Whitey1w]

Take a look at the shocks. Are they oily or wet looking? Maybe excessive damp dirt? When springs go you will sag .

 

[gx470lurker]

I have an 08 with shocks that were put on about 27K ago. Air suspension is working fine. I’m switching to OME this month and will be getting rid of stuff I pull off.

I think if your feeling bouncy your air springs are ok, it’s your shocks that are needing some love. IMO

Air suspension is out and I could benefit from new shocks - dealer says they are original and looking pretty worn after 232k miles. Any recommendations on new shocks? Not trying to break the bank on these either.

 

[runningdrew]

these are the symptoms of leaky bags not shocks in my experience. My bags died/cracked and it was a heck of a trip just to the grocery store without getting sea sick. Set of replacement bags off Amazon = $100, add two year warranty $13 or so. I want to lift to eventually and put on the fox shocks and OME springs that were gifted to me, but then I still have to upgrade the front shocks too....yadda yadda yadda, new bags were cheaper for now

 

[Gunsup007]

Hi All,

Suspension got super bouncy this morning and I'm not sure what it is. I'll take it to the dealer this week to get it diagnosed.

However, when switching to coils, what's the cheapest way to go about this? I don't offroad and don't need a lift (but would lift it if it is the same price).

Any recommendations on switching to coils the cheapest way possible? Any recommendations for a ~2" lift?

I just upgraded my suspension and have my old airbags that are still in good condition if you want to make me an offer I’ll send them to you.

 

[gx470lurker]

these are the symptoms of leaky bags not shocks in my experience. My bags died/cracked and it was a heck of a trip just to the grocery store without getting sea sick. Set of replacement bags off Amazon = $100, add two year warranty $13 or so. I want to lift to eventually and put on the fox shocks and OME springs that were gifted to me, but then I still have to upgrade the front shocks too....yadda yadda yadda, new bags were cheaper for now

Got back from the dealership today and you are correct - it is the airbags. But it is either the lines that put air into the bags ($1300 quoted from dealer) or the compressor. I have decided to do the coil conversion instead paying out the ass for something that is bound to fail again soon (original system with 230k+ miles)

 

[gx470lurker]

I just upgraded my suspension and have my old airbags that are still in good condition if you want to make me an offer I’ll send them to you.

I wish this was the case, I would take you up on it. Dealer quoted me for $1300 to replace the lines that fill air into the bags. They said it's either that or the compressor...don't want to drop $1300 on something that might not be the right fix.

 

[Cooperd0g]

Not that I'm telling you what to do, but the Anott replacement air springs are $300 for a pair. $1600 all in gets you a completely new rear air suspension system with the dealer quote to replace the compressor and lines. Given that your GX has 232k miles I would hardly say it is "bound to fail again soon."

 

[runningdrew]

Got back from the dealership today and you are correct - it is the airbags. But it is either the lines that put air into the bags ($1300 quoted from dealer) or the compressor. I have decided to do the coil conversion instead paying out the ass for something that is bound to fail again soon (original system with 230k+ miles)

If you want to go coil conversion, now's the time. If you don't, and want to retain air bags, I'd trouble shoot it a bit more to see if compressor is really the problem, or put out a request to others for their old air lines (doubt it's air lines). I think there is a way to reset the air system through the maintenance menu on the nav screen - got to search that. The reset trick jump-started my compressor to start working again after I replaced my bags. ($100 set from Amazon) but if you want to do coils . I wish I was at that point $$$

 

[gx470lurker]

If you want to go coil conversion, now's the time. If you don't, and want to retain air bags, I'd trouble shoot it a bit more to see if compressor is really the problem, or put out a request to others for their old air lines (doubt it's air lines). I think there is a way to reset the air system through the maintenance menu on the nav screen - got to search that. The reset trick jump-started my compressor to start working again after I replaced my bags. ($100 set from Amazon) but if you want to do coils . I wish I was at that point $$$

I would love to try the reset as the suspension worked 12 hours prior (the night before it died). However, I have a non-nav unit - do you know where I can find how to reset the air system?

 

[runningdrew]

I would love to try the reset as the suspension worked 12 hours prior (the night before it died). However, I have a non-nav unit - do you know where I can find how to reset the air system?

Maybe only with tech steam, the Lexus/Toyota ECU interface software?? Maybe others know? I'll see if I can find out. Do you currently have faulty bags still installed?

 

[gx470lurker]

Maybe only with tech steam, the Lexus/Toyota ECU interface software?? Maybe others know? I'll see if I can find out. Do you currently have faulty bags still installed?

Everything worked perfectly prior to yesterday morning, no bag leak, no issues. Only to start the car and the whole thing was lowered and the bags do not inflate. I feel like either the compressor totally crapped out or it needs to be reset.

 

[gx470lurker]

Maybe only with tech steam, the Lexus/Toyota ECU interface software?? Maybe others know? I'll see if I can find out. Do you currently have faulty bags still installed?

I also cannot get the compressor to kick in - it worked well prior to yesterday morning. No when I hit high/low it blinks (and will stay on high) but the compressor never engages.

 

[Gunsup007]

I wish this was the case, I would take you up on it. Dealer quoted me for $1300 to replace the lines that fill air into the bags. They said it's either that or the compressor...don't want to drop $1300 on something that might not be the right fix.

I have all the parts of you need them. Air lines compressor, air bags, etc. I pulled it all out and have it. It all works. Let me know if your interested.

 

[runningdrew]

I also cannot get the compressor to kick in - it worked well prior to yesterday morning. No when I hit high/low it blinks (and will stay on high) but the compressor never engages.

When mine finally went (with a hissing leak for days leading up to it) it just crapped out like yours. I did a combo of resetting the system in the maintenance menu (I think I did, my menu was slightly different than the video I saw) and I disconnected the batter for a 20 mins or so and retried twice. Then it worked. Thennnnn until I could get bags ordered and delivered I slightly tricked the rear air bags to go higher and that effectively sealed the leak/crack in the bags firmly until the new parts came 1.5 weeks later.

 

[runningdrew]

I tried a quick search on diagnostic menu and service menu for non nav models and couldn't find anything quickly. I seem to also remember pulling the fuses for the air suspension system and re inserting them. I did a combo of those things and the air compressor started working again....hope some of that helps. Try various combinations of battery, fuses, and turning car on and testing. I wonder if compressor power itself could be detached too....?

 

[GXO]

I have my airbag system disabled so it doesn't show up in techstream.