I just acquired an lx 470. Got 60k miles on the clock and been gently treated. However, since it is my first AHC am not sure how to look for signs of trouble. Typically we change shocks on cars around 60k maintenance. Do I need to do that or the AHC system is heavy duty? Is it normal for the car to change height while am waiting at traffic light? Thanks.
AHC signs of trouble on lx470
- Thread starter Aminekh
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Mine has 220,000 kms on th eclock with the AHC system and all looks still good.
Remember it is self levelling, maybe that is the "change height" what you notice?
Remember it is self levelling, maybe that is the "change height" what you notice?
Mine has 185,000 miles, and is still going(knock on wood). It will move a little on you at stop lights. It does this more when it is first started up in the morning. From what i have read, it is very obvious once a globe goes. The corner will hit very hard, and even droop significantly.
Mine kind of self levels often when I get into it in the morning after starting it up, or after it's been sitting for a while during the day too directly after startup. This also happens now and again at traffic lights. I too was wondering if this is normal; but it seems like it would be. I remember an older vehicle I had with air suspension used to do that too - even though this system is likely a lot different, I'm guessing that has something to do with load levelling.
What year is yours? 60k miles is quite low still, you likely have many years and miles left in it. Mine still seems to be working okay - it's a 1999 with 180k miles (just turned). I've done 2 fluid changes in the last 2 yrs - the only reason I did it a 2nd time is that I didn't have enough fluid to finish the last corner, so I re-did it a year later with more fluid - a full fluid change.
Also, I'm not sure if the shocks were ever done on it. You'd think the ride would suffer, but it's oh so buttery smooth right now, I just can't justify a shock swap at this stage...
What year is yours? 60k miles is quite low still, you likely have many years and miles left in it. Mine still seems to be working okay - it's a 1999 with 180k miles (just turned). I've done 2 fluid changes in the last 2 yrs - the only reason I did it a 2nd time is that I didn't have enough fluid to finish the last corner, so I re-did it a year later with more fluid - a full fluid change.
Also, I'm not sure if the shocks were ever done on it. You'd think the ride would suffer, but it's oh so buttery smooth right now, I just can't justify a shock swap at this stage...
'00 LX - 160k miles - stock - AHC/Electro-Hydraulic suspension
So when I got new tires over the summer, the garage told me I needed new shocks - that they're leaking pretty bad front and back.
I couldn't afford it at the time, and forgot about it. Lately I'm noticing more sluggishness in the ride, but I still can't afford the ~$250/shock replacement (plus labor) I was quoted - so I'm thinking of temp replacing with monroe or something similar just for the interim.
Does anyone know if this is possible without pulling the entire system?
Maybe I don't really need to replace the shocks, but get the fluid changed?
if so, any recommendations in the San Gabriel Valley area, and idea of how much?
Any ideas appreciated!
-LX Pilot
So when I got new tires over the summer, the garage told me I needed new shocks - that they're leaking pretty bad front and back.
I couldn't afford it at the time, and forgot about it. Lately I'm noticing more sluggishness in the ride, but I still can't afford the ~$250/shock replacement (plus labor) I was quoted - so I'm thinking of temp replacing with monroe or something similar just for the interim.
Does anyone know if this is possible without pulling the entire system?
Maybe I don't really need to replace the shocks, but get the fluid changed?
if so, any recommendations in the San Gabriel Valley area, and idea of how much?
Any ideas appreciated!
-LX Pilot
I looked into this too - kind of similar reasons. Short answer is no, but I would definitely try changing the fluid first - expensive but very very important to use actual AHC fluid and not anything else. As for changing just the shocks, I think you need to do it all. Meaning if you just change the shocks, now the factory torsion bars and rear springs don't have the hydraulic help they need. So those should be upgraded. Try the search, but general consensus from my research is fix AHC, or rip out whole system and replace with old man emu or ironman- you can't really go half way safely.
Oh, and you can totally change the fluid yourself with the help of this board -even without experience.
Oh, and you can totally change the fluid yourself with the help of this board -even without experience.
- Thread starter
- #9
sorry for being away for a while
arbetrader mine is model 2007 (the last of the breed) and does exactly the same self leveling you guys talk about especially in the morning. Only difference is that now I don't notice it.
Am now convinced my AHC is working well however, the oil is due for a change and i will have to carry this out soon. I do own another LC100 model 2003 with OLD MAN EMU suspension and boy what a difference in ride... I love the lex ride! my Landcruise is now my desert car and it goes and comes every weekend with no issues.
You only appreciate the value of these cars after owning different brands and fixing them constantly! Gotta love'm!
arbetrader mine is model 2007 (the last of the breed) and does exactly the same self leveling you guys talk about especially in the morning. Only difference is that now I don't notice it.
Am now convinced my AHC is working well however, the oil is due for a change and i will have to carry this out soon. I do own another LC100 model 2003 with OLD MAN EMU suspension and boy what a difference in ride... I love the lex ride! my Landcruise is now my desert car and it goes and comes every weekend with no issues.
You only appreciate the value of these cars after owning different brands and fixing them constantly! Gotta love'm!