AHC Repair on 09 LX570 (4 Viewers)

[TeCKis300]

From what I gather in comments and previous fixes including the A/C line, sure sounds like this is the common rusted AHC line issue in the rear for those that live in the rust belt.

It's a simple hydraulic line, much like a brake line, that needs replacement. Can be had for reasonable cheap, and is not the hardest to replace. From there, it's just replace the AHC fluid and bleed. Again, much like a brake system.

And that’s the problem with AHC. Diagnosing the issue is a nightmare and can be $$$$. Even Lexus dealers mess up. Independent shops won’t even touch it…why would you trust someone who is exposed to AHC even less than dealers! You can do it yourself if you’re mechanically inclined...but even then, it can be weeks on weeks of diagnosing and buying & replacing parts all along the system and costing $$$.

Okay Mr. FUD. We all know this is beyond your capability so please keep to your ARB slider threads.

 

[bloc]

Changing a rusted line isn't more difficult than changing a rusted hard brake line, it's tight but doable. The line that usually fails is the one in front of the rear crossmember, right above the rear axle and exhaust or the line that continues that one.

Contrary to what the forum's AHC hater mentions, the system is pretty stout and fairy easy to diagnose and service. The recent onset of problems was because of a bad batch of AHC fluid at no fault of the system. These problems were difficult to diagnose because no one expects the correct fluid be the culprit.

This right here.

 

[Kcaps]

Im curious @Kcaps how much maintenance was done on that AHC in 205k miles?

Basic book maintenance- basically lexus recommended maintenance. The front strut assembly was rough the past 2x at service and starting to leak. About a year ago, we were going to trade the car in and keep my hubs car, but we traded his instead (we got more $$), hence putting off fixing the strut assembly if we weren't keeping it (maybe I should have fixed it sooner). But the leak issue is clearly coming from the rear. I also know the hydraulic tanks were "looking bad". Source - a friend who has a modified Taco and I trust him. Before you ask, he can't help much w this as he currently resides in Guam. But he's done some recon work for me and Cleveland seems to be a dead end.

 

[hankinid]

Kcaps, welcome to ih8mud.com. Glad you made it over here.

 

[Madtiger]

@TeCKis300 “Okay Mr. FUD. We all know this is beyond your capability so please keep to your ARB slider threads.”

Love your “hidden” commentary about me. Not so long ago, you talked about how superior AHC was in handling…Porsche-like handling or something like that, remember? Heck, you went to great length to tell us about your superior background. That got shutdown pretty quick once i showed REAL-life data to destroy your line of thought. Your also talked about “deep capability”’ of our transmission that is sooo superior to everyone else…..until i pretty much disproved that!

I don’t know…it seems like i have been more right than you in most stuff.

 

[grinchy]

things break on cars. there isn't a suspension out there of any type that won't need work / replacement / refresh after 12 years. THe front struts on my minivan are $1200 each for the OEM part. I need two. That doesn't make it a bad suspension. That isn't even expensive for suspension parts, either.
AHC has advantages. Struts have advantages. Both have disadvantages too.
As OP has said, without AHC the truck doesn't fit in the garage. That right there is a useful function that no spring suspension can provide.
Let's deal with the problem and stop drawing all encompassing superiority comparisons between two truck models that are 90% the same.

 

[kwelhand]

things break on cars. there isn't a suspension out there of any type that won't need work / replacement / refresh after 12 years. THe front struts on my minivan are $1200 each for the OEM part. I need two. That doesn't make it a bad suspension. That isn't even expensive for suspension parts, either.
AHC has advantages. Struts have advantages. Both have disadvantages too.
As OP has said, without AHC the truck doesn't fit in the garage. That right there is a useful function that no spring suspension can provide.
Let's deal with the problem and stop drawing all encompassing superiority comparisons between two truck models that are 90% the same.

Well said… I’m also here for the knowledge and solutions… not for a fight.

 

[bhsdriller]

I'll give you 13k for it

 

[Mbarron37]

Any update on this? Would be a shame to get rid of this vehicle if it turns out to be just a rusted line.

 

[Kcaps]

Any update on this? Would be a shame to get rid of this vehicle if it turns out to be just a rusted line.

Having it looked at tomorrow by a friend of a friend that's more of a Jeep guy, but offered to check it out. I have a standing/highest offer of 17k from a dealership that expires next week so... we'll see how Sunday goes!

 

[kwelhand]

Having it looked at tomorrow by a friend of a friend that's more of a Jeep guy, but offered to check it out. I have a standing/highest offer of 17k from a dealership that expires next week so... we'll see how Sunday goes!

Did you fix the issue with AHC?

 

[Kcaps]

Did you fix the issue with AHC?

I wound up selling it to a local guy. Matched the dealer offer plus 500. I know he is not planning to fix the AHC, but I'm also not sure of his master plan for it.

 

[kwelhand]

I wound up selling it to a local guy. Matched the dealer offer plus 500. I know he is not planning to fix the AHC, but I'm also not sure of his master plan for it.

I see… any plan for the new rig?

 

[Kcaps]

I see… any plan for the new rig?

Not yet given the car status around here. Its impossible to find anything we are interested in unless we travel which, at the moment, we don't have time for given work schedules. While the weather is decent I poached my moms second car (a RWD 22 year old BMW). CA and AZ seem to have what we want. Once the new year hits we may take a trip...

 

[kwelhand]

Not yet given the car status around here. Its impossible to find anything we are interested in unless we travel which, at the moment, we don't have time for given work schedules. While the weather is decent I poached my moms second car (a RWD 22 year old BMW). CA and AZ seem to have what we want. Once the new year hits we may take a trip...

Car market is crazy right now… new or used.
Hopefully, you will be able to find a decent deal at spring.
Good luck with your quest.