99 LX470: Starting Over

[cek347]

I really like this BFG tires. How is the road vibration/harshness with this aggressive tire?

They ride great. Just had a long trip and I did not feel the agressiveness of the tread at all. I had Grabber AT2's on a 4runner and they where louder then these. So far I feel great about the purchase.

 

[cek347]

Will be watching for this. I have the same vehicle (color and all) and almost identical mileage. When I flushed the AHC system (twice over a period of time) the ride got significantly better....but I know it still needs work. I still need to get a techstream program, some new rear springs (no doubt it needs them), then see where we are.

But because of the amount of bubbles in my system when I did the first flush...I feel that the nitrogen (or whatever gas charge) in the globes has permeated the membrane in the globes.

I like the AHC system and unless something major fails..... I will be looking at replacing the globes, but I am thinking about using 'rear' rated globes on all four corners.

My Globes are in the mail! I hope to get them sometime next week. Then I'll have to hope for a 50 deg. day to get in my driveway and do it. From the flushes of the system I'm pretty familiar under there. I'll use this as an opportunity to flush one more time as I'll do it with wheels on the ground as I get rid of the pressure in the system. Unless some instructions say different or someone has any other experiences, Its basically depressurize the system by cracking the bleeders one at a time, then remove the old, install the new. Then pressurize then bleed one more time.

 

[PLROD]

congrats on the new ride, I have the exact same one with 184K

 

[KINGER]

Interested to hear your thoughts on the change in ride quality after swapping globes.

Are you buying OEM?

 

[flintknapper]

My Globes are in the mail! I hope to get them sometime next week. Then I'll have to hope for a 50 deg. day to get in my driveway and do it. From the flushes of the system I'm pretty familiar under there. I'll use this as an opportunity to flush one more time as I'll do it with wheels on the ground as I get rid of the pressure in the system. Unless some instructions say different or someone has any other experiences, Its basically depressurize the system by cracking the bleeders one at a time, then remove the old, install the new. Then pressurize then bleed one more time.

After installing your new globes be certain you have ALL the air out of the system then recheck your front to rear pressures (after you are cross balanced) in front.

Hope to hear that your ride quality is markedly improved. If so....I am going to follow suit.

 

[ItGoesTo11]

Things to check:

Rotted Muffler
Bump Stops fallen off in the rear (attached to the frame, or should be)
PS reservoir weeping from low pressure hose
Front sway bar links missing or ready to fail (the grommets hold water on the shaft)
Fuel Filter change

 

[cek347]

Early present for the LX......

Ordered Tuesday, arrived this afternoon. All the way from the UK. I'll report back after install.

 

[flintknapper]

Sweet! Will be watching this thread.

Hope there is a noticeable difference for you.

 

[Julian Stead]

I have the modified Citroen spheres you bought fitted to my truck,they worked a treat. Remember to check your sway bar bushes, this gave me a good improvement to the ride, I think if they get stiff it must affect the AHC.

I removed my running boards to install the modified spheres as you need more room to install them as they are slightly bigger. The instructions tell you to use a jack, but I wasn't comfortable with that procedure.

 

[cek347]

Sunday is the big day for removal and replace. Very cold here but a friend has a decent garage. Excited.

The heated seats are great by the way, not as hot as my VW which will cook a turkey but get the job done well.

 

[cek347]

4 new globes installed. Wow! What a difference. Ride is excellent. No more bounce. All 4 dampening modes work. Comfort is super soft, Sport is firm. I settled on 3 out of 4 towards sport.

I first bled all 4 corners and accumulator. I somehow didn't fully bleed the passenger rear.....that was a messy surprise. Be careful, wear your goggles, dont have your head under there. Replaced all 4 globes, his wrench fit perfect. Driver rear was a bit tough but it came free. PB blaster soaking a few weeks ago helped. I filled up the reservoir, started up and cycled through L to H then back to L. I had a friend watch the reservoir and add as it got low. It did suck most of the container in just starting it up so keep a close eye. I bled everything till I saw no air bubbles. I filled, started, cycled through heights, then bled again. Nice fresh pink fluid out of all 5 bleeders.

I finished by checking the reservoir and adding a bit. Did the reservoir test and got around 14 lines difference. Had 4 before....

My rear globes appeared to be fine. I put the eraser end of a pencil in to find a wall about 1" in. My fronts, the pencil went all in. I know I spent more then I needed but I have 4 new globes and 2 good rear spares.

I used: WTV-UK Kits & Parts

Comfort Plus kit.

Ordered on a Tuesday, recieved on Friday. He was quick to respond to emails. Everything was packaged safely. Even included bleed hose and wrench for removal and install.

Anyway, my ride home I hit all possible conditions, some "off road" in a vacant lot next to my friends house, bumpy road with speed bumps, country road with hills and twists and turns, then 70 mph highway. All handled comfortably and quietly. Great truck!

 

[KINGER]

Thanks for reporting back!

Nice that you had such a good experience, very encouraging for the rest of us who are considering this route vs. ripping out AHC.

 

[cek347]

Haven't been on in long time. I see photobucket pics are toast..... I'll have to look into fixing the pics. The truck just runs awesome and continues to do everything I want a truck to do. Plenty of long drives stuck in traffic with AC full blast over the summer and it just runs cool and keeps us cool. Rear AC is great for that 3rd row. Suspension works awesome. I built a small deck/stairs, and I also gutted and rebuilt my bathroom. This truck carried lots of lumber and supplies and came in handy. The AHC never had a problem loaded all the way up with stuff. I'm still sitting on a set of spark plugs and heater T's to install as preventative maint. Getting cold though. Might just hold out until spring.

Driver door window switch just gave up its auto up/down function. I need to do some searching but looks like I'll need to find a good used unit to fix it. I had an issue with some drips from the sunroof on really hard rains. Ran trimmer string though all the drains and haven't seen any drips since.

Anyway, this is just a pat on the LX 470's back for being such a nice truck. Good to come here after not checking in very often and catching up on all the projects and upgrades people are working on!