KDSS shutter valve frozen and stripped (1 Viewer)

[COgxFish]

First post here but I’ve been reading through the forum extensively. Thank you all for the valuable information. I recently purchased an 05 sport gx with KDSS and I’ve been going through the basics before I install a small lift and other upgrades.

I installed the Metaltech stage 2 spring conversion kit with Moog 81081 springs a few weeks ago. I discovered the KDSS shutter valves were buried in road sand and whatever else they use on the Colorado roads. One of the valves was gummed up and I’ve only made it worse. I’ve tried AeroKroil for the past few weeks trying to loosen the valve with no luck and it’s stripping the more I try. Today I took an 11mm hex bit and filed it down to fit but still no movement.

Are there any suggestions on how to break it free? I’d love to find a solution that doesn’t involve taking it to the dealer for a replacement valve and to have the system re-pressurized.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[phishtaco]

I feel like there was a good thread in the 200 series section for tips and tricks.

 

[GXO]

That looks quite corroded so I would hit that with some PB and consider welding on a nut.

 

[Jstawgn]

Why do you need to open it? I swap suspension a couple times on my 05 with KDSS and never have to open it. The valve is open under a certain speed. I just jack the cylinder up slowly using jack and never have problem.

If you have KDSS lean right now it most likely from tired suspension. Mine lean really bad when I just got it. When I install my new suspension it sit level without me needing to put any spacer or open the KDSS shutter valve.

 

[GXO]

Balancing the pressure in KDSS is normal during a lift. If it isn't changing when you lift it could be leaking and self balancing

 

[COgxFish]

I feel like there was a good thread in the 200 series section for tips and tricks.

Thanks, I read through the 200 series thread but the valve box seems to be different on the GX470 compared to the 100/200 models as well as the 4runners with KDSS. I wasn’t sure if there was something else specific to the GX.

That looks quite corroded so I would hit that with some PB and consider welding on a nut.

That’s what I’ve been thinking. The metal for the set screw seemed soft and I have no experience with wedding so I wasn’t sure if that was an option.

Most things I’ve read suggest opening the valves 2.5-3 turns MAX when adding lift to the suspension. I also need to replace the bushings on the kdss stabilizer bars, front and back, and I assume this would make it easier as well.

 

[JLee]

Why do you need to open it? I swap suspension a couple times on my 05 with KDSS and never have to open it. The valve is open under a certain speed. I just jack the cylinder up slowly using jack and never have problem.

If you have KDSS lean right now it most likely from tired suspension. Mine lean really bad when I just got it. When I install my new suspension it sit level without me needing to put any spacer or open the KDSS shutter valve.

If the valve was open you wouldn't need a jack to move the sway bar.

 

[COgxFish]

That looks quite corroded so I would hit that with some PB and consider welding on a nut.

Welding a bolt worked. Had to go pretty big, first bolt sheared right off but it’s done. I can finally get going on ordering lift components and install the new stabilizer bar bushings.

Thanks for the help!

 

[z00t3ch]

The valve is open under a certain speed.

KDSS is 0% electronic (besides a dummy light from a leak sensor), 100% hydraulic, and 100% passive. Nothing is opening or closing at any particular speed. If both left wheels articulate upward, the system resists. If wheels at opposite corners articulate upward, it complies. In an on-road slalom, where both left or right wheels want to articulate upward from body roll, it resists, feeling very much like a stout anti-sway bar. On some off-road moguls, where wheels at opposite corners are rising/falling, the system complies, feeling very much like a disconnected/removed swaybar. The system is not electronic, senses nothing, and has no idea what speed you're traveling - it's all hoses, cylinders and accumulators.

 

[Jstawgn]

That is true in low speed. At higher speed the valve close to give stiffer roll resistance. If you look at the wiring diagram there is a relay that is controlled by stabilty control ECU and input from speed sensor.

A few people rip their KDSS mount runnnimg it off road at high speed. The valve close and cause it not to be fleible. This is one of the main reason you cannot get KDSS on TRD Pro 4runner. You could remove the power to the relay but it would still overcook the KDSS fluid if uses high speed.