Accumulators/Globes - Replace one or all?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

T

txtortoise

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
May 7, 2004
Threads
32
Messages
433
Location
San Antonio, Tx
Website
www.ralphmawyerphotography.com
Looks like I may have at least one globe replaced under warranty. They are pulling them all for testing.

Assuming warranty will pay for one globe and all labor, any value in doing the other three at this point? Truck will be out of warranty in 900 miles, currently at 124,100.

Definitely a cost bump, but somewhat like doing the water pump with the timing chain?

Anyone done just one and regreted it?
 
I just did all 4 after 11 years and 116,000 miles since they were definitely shot. If you plan on keeping it for a long time then I'd just do them all and start fresh. I plan on running the wife's lx until at least 150-160k before trading up.
 
Thanks, looking hard at a LX570, but may keep LX470 so debating suspension swap at this point. I love the AHC when it works...and the fact the 200 series AHC seems to be bulletproof with no issues like the LX470 has is appealing
....but surprised how heavy the front-end help felt when test driving.
 
AHC is a part of emergency accident avoidance algorithms. You may save money extracting it, but it might save your life..
 
apdxyk said:
AHC is a part of emergency accident avoidance algorithms. You may save money extracting it, but it might save your life..
Click to expand...

Can you please elaborate on this? How is it any different than any other car.
 
txtortoise said:
Thanks, looking hard at a LX570, but may keep LX470 so debating suspension swap at this point. I love the AHC when it works...and the fact the 200 series AHC seems to be bulletproof with no issues like the LX470 has is appealing
....but surprised how heavy the front-end help felt when test driving.
Click to expand...

I went with Old Man Emu 2" lift love it. I put 14k miles on my 2011 LX570 before I sold it. The 570 is a beautiful vehicle, it's like a Rolls Royce SUV and the AHC/AVS is way more robust then the 100 series. If I ever buy another 200 series I will get a LC and put larger tires on it.
 
There isn't very much labor involved with replacing one or all globes and the only consumable is buying a can of AHC fluid so I personally don't see any significant benefit or labor savings in changing out serviceable accumulators "while you're there". That said, all new accumulators will provide much better damping than just serviceable ones - and by that I mean accumulator globes that collectively return 8 to 10 graduation when checked in situ. If you're getting one globe replaced under warranty I'd certainly consider replacing its opposite too at a minimum because for normal driving the left and right sides are connected to their opposite. Where you have a new 100% charged accumulator paralleled with a, say, 60% charged globe you're not going to feel the true damping benefit of new globe - save the obvious benefit of replacing a presumably ruptured accumulator.

I'm interested to know the fault finding methodology the warranty carrier is using, are they just taking the globes off and eyeballing the diaphragm? did they do the 16 step damper test or are they putting the accumulators on a test jig?
 
PADDO said:
I'm interested to know the fault finding methodology the warranty carrier is using, are they just taking the globes off and eyeballing the diaphragm? did they do the 16 step damper test or are they putting the accumulators on a test jig?
Click to expand...

Good question. Apparently the dealer is doing a pencil test with globes off. Not sure what that means other than at least one membrane is leaking nitrogen, with visible frothing in the fluid container.

At a minimum I planned to do the opposite one if warranty won't, for the reason noted. The Lexus warranty company doesn't usually get involved directly, but given the price of repair and the fact it's almost out of coverage I expect they will send an adjuster, so we'll see.
 
The "pencil test" is pretty basic - push the blunt end of a pencil down the throat of an accumulator and if you can push in the diaphragm then it's done, unfortunately it doesn't give you any idea how much charge remains, just ruptured or not. Frothing fluid at a corner is definitely an indicator of leaking. Here is what the throat of an accumulator looks like:
image.webp
 
I'm also considering replacing 2 or 4 of the globes on my 1999 LX. After 198K miles, the ride is getting a little rough and the range is down to 6 marks on the AHC reservoir. Does anyone have any experience purchasing new globes from CruiserParts.net? They are advertising new Toyota Accumulators for $377 on the front and $339 for the rear. Also, how difficult is bleeding the AHC system after replacing the globes? Is there a link to instructions?
 
Since the LC offered AHC I wonder if Beno or CDan can get them. Lexus Parts from Atlanta Lexus has them at around $550 and there's someone in Houston that is offering 30-40% off. Nice if you aren't in Texas.

But at retail of $800+ still a bunch of dollars.
 
Yes, the VGRS is part of the
Agent T said:
I'm also considering replacing 2 or 4 of the globes on my 1999 LX. After 198K miles, the ride is getting a little rough and the range is down to 6 marks on the AHC reservoir. Does anyone have any experience purchasing new globes from CruiserParts.net? They are advertising new Toyota Accumulators for $377 on the front and $339 for the rear. Also, how difficult is bleeding the AHC system after replacing the globes? Is there a link to instructions?
Click to expand...

Talk to Keith. He's a great guy, very knowledgeable.

LX 470 Suspension Accumulators | Nitrogen Globes | Land Cruiser Damping Globes
 
txtortoise said:
Since the LC offered AHC I wonder if Beno or CDan can get them. Lexus Parts from Atlanta Lexus has them at around $550 and there's someone in Houston that is offering 30-40% off. Nice if you aren't in Texas.

But at retail of $800+ still a bunch of dollars.
Click to expand...
Where can I find contact information for CDan? He is mentioned all the time but I'm too ignorant to figure out who he is and how to contact him...thanks!
 
Dan Busey, Ameican Toyota, Albuquerque. 1 (800) 432-6668

Unless something's changed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom