HELP with air ride on a 01 LX470

[MADDEN72]

A customer is at our bodyshop and said she ran off the road and now her front suspension won't lower. She took it to the local machanics shop and they can't find anything wrong. After looking at it they told her that they know nothing about her car and could not help her.
I havn't tried to search for it because I am in the middle of a job that needs to go in a couple of hours. I thought there might be a easy soulution to check for while she's here getting a estamate.

Thanks, Tim

 

[uHu]

Sounds like the front height sensor, if the front stays in HI following an involuntary off-road experience.
The height sensor is a simple mechanical device, one for each front wheel and one for the rear axle.

 

[tabraha]

And be careful, it's hydraulic suspension instead of air. Don't want you to get a squirt in the eye undoing a hose or anything.

 

[uHu]

Well, the suspension is actually a hydraulic/gas system, where the movements are transferred via a hydraulic oil to gas springs via a set of valves, which also takes care of the shock-absorber function. These gas chambers carry the weight of the vehicle together with conventional springs.
Anyhow, the oil pressure on the system, including the shocks, is high. The height sensors though, are not connected to the hydraulics, only by a three prong plug.

 

[MADDEN72]

I don't have the rig here to look at but was wondering if the hight sensors are something that can be reset or do they need to be replaced.

 

[uHu]

The height sensors are just simple potensiometers which can be opened and cleaned internally, e.g. if the small brass springs are corroded.
But in this case, an external damage to either the mechanical linkage to the upper control arm, or to the cable/plug is more probable. You can peek in above the front wheel to see the devil.