Help Me Fix My 2013 LX Loose Front End Part 6 (1 Viewer)

[tbisaacs]

Glad it worked out!

Accumulators! Tell your friends!

 

[lx200inAR]

Still have a set on my shelf, I need to get on it.

 

[LC neophyte]

I have an 2013 LX 570 with 130K and 2018 LC with 30K, same Michelin tires.
Like you, I have had some concerns about the "mushy" feeling of my front end, especially when I can make a direct comparison to the 2018 LC. I recognize that there are some inherent differences as noted by others, and I just have accepted it as normal.
However, after reading of your adventure, I have several questions for you that may help someone like myself who is less informed on self-help diagnosis or DIY repair.

1) How did you finally decide on replacing the accumulators? Was it just process of elimination or did you discover something distinctly wrong? Trying to figure out when, if ever, I need to act on this.
2) Did you have an independent suspension shop do the work?
3) Are most shops comfortable with type of work? If not, what skill set should I look for? I get the impression from some of these threads that diagnosing this problem is kind of esoteric, and may be beyond the experience of most suspension shops?

BTW, thanks for the updates. Some may have found this tedious, but how else will we learn?

4) Finally, and this is open to all, is the front end on the LX 570 as robust as the LC 2018? It just feels more refined and delicate, and I take that to mean that hitting some big off road bumps would knock it out of alignment.

Thanks to all! So much to learn on IH8MUD.

 

[tbisaacs]

4) Finally, and this is open to all, is the front end on the LX 570 as robust as the LC 2018? It just feels more refined and delicate, and I take that to mean that hitting some big off road bumps would knock it out of alignment.

They are nearly mechanically identical with two exceptions:

TLC has KDSS actuator attached to sway bars, LX had conventional sway bar.

LX has hydraulic shocks.

 

[milellie111]

I have an 2013 LX 570 with 130K and 2018 LC with 30K, same Michelin tires.
Like you, I have had some concerns about the "mushy" feeling of my front end, especially when I can make a direct comparison to the 2018 LC. I recognize that there are some inherent differences as noted by others, and I just have accepted it as normal.
However, after reading of your adventure, I have several questions for you that may help someone like myself who is less informed on self-help diagnosis or DIY repair.

1) How did you finally decide on replacing the accumulators? Was it just process of elimination or did you discover something distinctly wrong? Trying to figure out when, if ever, I need to act on this.
2) Did you have an independent suspension shop do the work?
3) Are most shops comfortable with type of work? If not, what skill set should I look for? I get the impression from some of these threads that diagnosing this problem is kind of esoteric, and may be beyond the experience of most suspension shops?

BTW, thanks for the updates. Some may have found this tedious, but how else will we learn?

4) Finally, and this is open to all, is the front end on the LX 570 as robust as the LC 2018? It just feels more refined and delicate, and I take that to mean that hitting some big off road bumps would knock it out of alignment.

Thanks to all! So much to learn on IH8MUD.

1. My handling and overall ride quality of the vehicle became very poor. The steering wheel and front end would shake uncontrollably over bumps to the point where sometimes it felt like I would lose control if I didn’t hold it tight over certain bumps. The car would get thrown off of course with even the smallest bump and was hard to track straight. I started out replacing all control arms and sway links which did not cure the problem. That’s where I decided on AHC fluid flush, accumulators (at the recommendation of forum members) and front shocks and mounts. Makes sense that at 130k miles is typical of when these mechanical parts would be nearing the end of their useful life. If you mean "mushy" up front, that could still be a characteristic of the Lexus like handling. My truck still rides "soft" and the feeling up front over bumps is still very vague, however it is not uncontrollable anymore. I have far more control of the truck. In my case I knew something definitely was wrong and I could feel it.

2. Yes my shop that I have gone to for 12 years did the work. I only let one guy work on my vehicles as he’s very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience. He’s never done accumulators before and the shop didn’t even know how much time to bill. I sent my mechanic these videos:

Accumulator replacement:


AHC Flush:


Shocks:
LEXUS LX 570s MODEL 2015 REPLACING HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER / GENUINE PARTS - https://youtu.be/3H8mv-24bdc

3. Defintely get a shop with a good reputation and someone who knows Landcruisers or LX’s. Talk directly with the mechanic you’ll get a feel for if you are comfortable with him working on your car or not. They ended up billing me about 2 hours for the accumulators. Not a hard job at all or the fluid flush but it has to be done correctly to make sure it is bled properly and no air gets in the lines. Show them those videos and ask if they are comfortable doing that.

 

[TeCKis300]

Really happy for you @milellie111 !!! Finally the truck you've been looking for and deserve. I'm sure the journey here wasn't fun but glad you got that sorted. And hive mind has benefitted, learning enough to help others after you.

Enjoy the newfound factory fresh suspension!

 

[milellie111]

Really happy for you @milellie111 !!! Finally the truck you've been looking for and deserve. I'm sure the journey here wasn't fun but glad you got that sorted. And hive mind has benefitted, learning enough to help others after you.

Enjoy the newfound factory fresh suspension!

I thank you for your patience and helping me troubleshoot!

 

[welco]

Update….

So I had my shop replace all 4 accumulators (front and rear), 2 front OEM shocks with shock mounts and support bushings, and did a full fluid flush.

The truck rides much better! A noticeable improvement in dampening and ride control over bumps. The ride is so much more composed and predictable and the front end feel over bumps is much better. I am satisfied with the ride and this truck is a keeper.

I am glad that I kept investigating this instead of giving up. It was well worth it! I saved a ton of money buying OEM parts online and cross shopping for the lowest price. I knew something was definitely off in the front end when it was hard to keep control of the vehicle over road irregularities and the truck wouldn’t stay balanced after hitting a bump.

Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions and providing your expertise.

Hi milellie, I have the same problem on my 2013 LX570. I understand that changing the 4 accumulators solved your problem. I wanted to verify this because in my case I bought this car second hand with 45,000 miles and as soon as I bought it I changed the 4 accumulators and the 4 shock absorbers. But it still feels unstable with little road imperfections, it feels uncomfortable to drive. i want to understand if your problem disapear or just its better. thanks

 

[grinchy]

Hi milellie, I have the same problem on my 2013 LX570. I understand that changing the 4 accumulators solved your problem. I wanted to verify this because in my case I bought this car second hand with 45,000 miles and as soon as I bought it I changed the 4 accumulators and the 4 shock absorbers. But it still feels unstable with little road imperfections, it feels uncomfortable to drive. i want to understand if your problem disapear or just its better. thanks

Have you had a look at the suspension parts? I mean the sway bars, sway bar end links, upper and lower control arms front and back, the panhard. Any leaking joints? missing bolts? broken parts?