Changing AHC Globes

[ouzo12]

After owning the LX470 for several months, I am at the point where i need to address the suspension. Everything else is coming along nicely but the current ride is all bounce and roughness.

I just checked my pressures today and had the following readings: F 7.4 / R 7.1. I have done a flush and cranked the torsion bars in the past which did very little for the ride. In addition, the graduation test has yielded approx. 4-5 variations.

My plan is to change the globes and do a full AHC fluid flush. I am hoping this will get the LX riding nicely to match how well everything else is running. I thought about going conventional LC suspension but enjoy the height and ride adjustments. I found the globes off of ebay for a little less than the conversion parts.

Parts - 4 globes, 4 quarts of AHC, wrench to remove globes, tubing for bleeding system

I had a couple of questions for those that have done this on their own:

- Any suggestions with accessing the globes once the suspension has been collapsed? I still have running boards so its hard getting under the car.

- any other steps you wish you would have known prior to starting?

 

[bamabrock]

Definitive list of AHC maintenance items

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Jeppers]

Also bought a thin bmw wrench from amazon that made it a lot easier. Jecr 32mm & 36 mm BMW Fan Clutch... Amazon product ASIN B076TBRDDQ

 

[ouzo12]

Also bought a thin bmw wrench from amazon that made it a lot easier. Jecr 32mm & 36 mm BMW Fan Clutch... Amazon product ASIN B076TBRDDQ

Kit comes with a wrench just like that. Thanks!

 

[95Fantasma80]

Have you replaced your rear springs, this helped with the feeling it was bouncing too much and put my pressures back in spec.

 

[ouzo12]

Have you replaced your rear springs, this helped with the feeling it was bouncing too much and put my pressures back in spec.

Was hoping the globes would do the trick before going with springs just for one simple reason. I feel that I can tackle changing the globes but feel springs are outside my comfort zone.

 

[ramangain]

The rear springs are easier than you think. If you can loosen both lower shock bolts and the four bolts for the sway bar mounts, you can replace your rear springs with a jack and two jack stands.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Rear shocks are a pain. Rear springs are cake. Just a matter of jacking up the body and using jack stands correctly.

 

[ouzo12]

Riding high again!

While not technically hard, this job was a pain because of dealing with all the hydraulic fluid. In addition my old globes felt like they were welded tight and required a lot of effort that remove.

I used the eBay globes from England which are a little bigger than stock. For future reference, it's much easier to undo the 4 bolds holding the running board bracket, install the globe and then reinstall the bracket.

Taking out later to check the ride and check the pressures.

 

[Mark WV]

FYI. The easy way to remove the old globes is to take a hammer and sharp chisel to them. Just chisel them counter clockwise on the widest part of the globe and they will loosen up easily.

 

[ouzo12]

FYI. The easy way to remove the old globes is to take a hammer and sharp chisel to them. Just chisel them counter clockwise on the widest part of the globe and they will loosen up easily.

I literally put on a long 36mm fan clutch wrench and beat the crap out of it with a hammer until they became lose.

 

[ouzo12]

Check out these front pressures after the install! No wonder the ride was so bad before and still had some harshness afterwards. Thing was basically riding on the torsion bars.

Got it to 6.5 all around. Time stop tinkering and go riding.

 

[1gr8FoSemty]

Check out these front pressures after the install! No wonder the ride was so bad before and still had some harshness afterwards. Thing was basically riding on the torsion bars.

Got it to 6.5 all around. Time stop tinkering and go riding.

View attachment 2318245

Good job. Can you provide the globe link?

 

[ouzo12]

WTV-UK = Toyota LandCruiser Upgrade Sphere Accumulator Kits

Toyota LandCruiser, Lexus LX470, LX570, Sahara = AHC Alternative Upgrade Replacement Spheres/Accumulators Suspension Kits

www.lpg-kits.com

I got mine off eBay from this seller. He has been super helpful. Keep in mind shipping was 100 and amex taked on a foreign currency fee. He did include the wrench and answered all my OCD questions.

 

[bamabrock]

WTV-UK = Toyota LandCruiser Upgrade Sphere Accumulator Kits

Toyota LandCruiser, Lexus LX470, LX570, Sahara = AHC Alternative Upgrade Replacement Spheres/Accumulators Suspension Kits

www.lpg-kits.com

I got mine off eBay from this seller. He has been super helpful. Keep in mind shipping was 100 and amex taked on a foreign currency fee. He did include the wrench and answered all my OCD questions.

got a link to the ebay listing?

 

[ouzo12]

Lexus LX470-LX570 y1998-2017 "COMFORT KIT" AHC Suspension Accumulator Spheres | eBay

Lexus = 4x4 100,200 series LX470 & LX570 1998 to 2017. best & softest comfort ride. 2x Front spheres. 2x Rear spheres. most people confuse theses with shock absorbers they are Not they are hydraulic rams the shock absorbers are the spheres/accumulator units!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[OwnerCS]

It looks great. I really like the height I see in the picture.

If you get a chance, would you post the sensor and pressure specs from after the upgrade?

 

[ouzo12]

That height is a little misleading bc it was right after i installed them with the torsion bars cranked up. After I adjusted the pressures and drove it around some more it settled down to a more regular height. I just checked them again and are showing F6.0 and R6.2. This time I made sure that the steering angle was at 0, the vendor stated this was critical for more accurate pressures. Need to back off the bars but not sure what i can do about the rear pressures. The rear seems a bit jacked up compared to the front as well. Ride is still night and day better even without optimal pressures

 

[OwnerCS]

That height is a little misleading bc it was right after i installed them with the torsion bars cranked up. After I adjusted the pressures and drove it around some more it settled down to a more regular height. I just checked them again and are showing F6.0 and R6.2. This time I made sure that the steering angle was at 0, the vendor stated this was critical for more accurate pressures. Need to back off the bars but not sure what i can do about the rear pressures. The rear seems a bit jacked up compared to the front as well. Ride is still night and day better even without optimal pressures

Thank you for providing the info. Should the height control sensors be 0 on level ground? I'm still trying to learn this stuff.

 

[ouzo12]

The 0 figure I was referring to was for the steering angle. I'm fairly new at this as well so I'll defer to the members who know way more than I do!

My understanding is level ground, no excess weight(including yourself) and then put it in L and then N before you can see the true pressures.