How to check AHC globe health?

[dwh13]

I'm currently at the beginning stages of moving from my 100 series into a 200, and I'll most likely go the LX route. Knowing that, one of the major concerns when shopping for my 100 series was the health of the AHC globes, which is easily checked by measuring the graduations on the reservoir between low and high. After a lot of searching, I haven't found a way to check this on the 200 series. When I'm ready to actually test drive one, how can I check up on how the globes are holding up?

Also, feel free to throw out any other random things to check when looking over a used car. I keep reading about KDSS (though I think this is LC only?) and cam tower leaks, but am not sure how to actually check those. FWIW, I'm looking at '10-'13 LXs in the 90-120k mile range. Cheers!

 

[Cruisin911]

As concerned as you seem to be about the AHC, why bother with the LX? Why not just buy an LC and be done with it? And yes, KDSS is LC only. For the cam towers, look through the wheel wells and under the liners. You'll easily be able to see the cam tower interface and any leak will be painfully obvious. There are a number of threads with tons of pictures. While some have had this issue, it seems to be mostly uncommon given the sample size.

 

[08720]

This is a good thread on changing the fluid with pics of reservoir location. Should be in the FAQ as it doesn't appear to have any links to AHC. I think this thread will have all of the AHC info you are concerned about. Dont be discouraged by responses like Cruisin911's.

LX570 AHC “Basics” - Added as sticky thread for AHC Issues

Point of this thread is to serve as a repository for 200-series AHC info, including LX570 and LC equipped with AHC (in select global markets). Let’s begin with a theory. The 200-series LC (without AHC) and the LX570 (or LC with AHC) are like New York & LA. LC “purists” are like New Yorkers...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[dwh13]

This is a good thread on changing the fluid with pics of reservoir location. Should be in the FAQ as it doesn't appear to have any links to AHC. I think this thread will have all of the AHC info you are concerned about. Dont be discouraged by responses like Cruisin911's.

LX570 AHC “Basics” - Added as sticky thread for AHC Issues

Point of this thread is to serve as a repository for 200-series AHC info, including LX570 and LC equipped with AHC (in select global markets). Let’s begin with a theory. The 200-series LC (without AHC) and the LX570 (or LC with AHC) are like New York & LA. LC “purists” are like New Yorkers...

forum.ih8mud.com

Thanks! I think I read this a while back but didn't go through all 8 pages. I'll do a little more digging and see if there's anything there about how to assess the system.

 

[Cruisin911]

This is a good thread on changing the fluid with pics of reservoir location. Should be in the FAQ as it doesn't appear to have any links to AHC. I think this thread will have all of the AHC info you are concerned about. Dont be discouraged by responses like Cruisin911's.

LX570 AHC “Basics” - Added as sticky thread for AHC Issues

Point of this thread is to serve as a repository for 200-series AHC info, including LX570 and LC equipped with AHC (in select global markets). Let’s begin with a theory. The 200-series LC (without AHC) and the LX570 (or LC with AHC) are like New York & LA. LC “purists” are like New Yorkers...

forum.ih8mud.com

That wasn't meant to discourage him at all. It just seemed that he was significantly concerned about the AHC prior to owning a vehicle. It is my experience that if someone is concerned even before purchase, that will only amplify post purchase. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it a bit. Life goes on. It doesn't appear to be a big deal to some, to others its the end of the world. My suggestion to get an LC instead is to simply alleviate the worry from the beginning. Nothing malicious intended.

-Scott

 

[dwh13]

That wasn't meant to discourage him at all. It just seemed that he was significantly concerned about the AHC prior to owning a vehicle. It is my experience that if someone is concerned even before purchase, that will only amplify post purchase. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it a bit. Life goes on. It doesn't appear to be a big deal to some, to others its the end of the world. My suggestion to get an LC instead is to simply alleviate the worry from the beginning. Nothing malicious intended.

-Scott

I definitely didn't take it that way, no worries! After having AHC in my 100, I've come to really love the system. I wouldn't say I'm worried about it, just want to make sure I buy one that is properly functioning.

 

[TeCKis300]

I had a 100-series as well. Globe health was a thing on that model. It's not been a concern at all on the 200-series, which was a surprise to me too. In the anecdotal failures reported on the LX570, there's been very few. As robust as the 100-series AHC was, the 200-series is that much more robust. With more depth of performance and load handling.

Majority of the (few) reported issues has been the hydraulic cylinder (shock) weeping. A couple others related to AHC line corrosion (perhaps due to living in the snow belt). Both relatively cheap and easy fixes. I can't recall an incident of a globe failure.

Don't let others discourage you from the system. AHC is a game changer. Bespoke and unique in breadth of competencies and performance. Truly way more capable and durable than anything you'll find in a standard shock or any 3rd party suspension. Specialized coilovers may do individual things better, but none will come close to the mastery that AHC brings to just about every use case.

 

[dwh13]

I had a 100-series as well. Globe health was a thing on that model. It's not been a concern at all on the 200-series, which was a surprise to me too. In the anecdotal failures reported on the LX570, there's been very few. As robust as the 100-series AHC was, the 200-series is that much more robust. With more depth of performance and load handling.

Majority of the (few) reported issues has been the hydraulic cylinder (shock) weeping. A couple others related to AHC line corrosion (perhaps due to living in the snow belt). Both relatively cheap and easy fixes. I can't recall an incident of a globe failure.

Don't let others discourage you from the system. AHC is a game changer. Bespoke and unique in breadth of competencies and performance. Truly way more capable and durable than anything you'll find in a standard shock or any 3rd party suspension. Specialized coilovers may do individual things better, but none will come close to the mastery that AHC brings to just about every use case.

Ok that's the answer I was hoping for! Glad to hear they made it more robust - even with 4 new globes and a new pump on my 100, I can still easily overwhelm the system with weight in the back where it won't go into high.

 

[GordJ]

No issues at all with my 25’ travel trailer. In the Yukon I used the AHC to facilitate loading and exits from the ferries. Up on the front of the trailer and down on the back without the truck sweating or getting tired.