Looking for opinions: To ignore or to repair the KDSS

[cmattina]

looking to buy an older 2013 460.

The owner/seller is honest and said the kdss light does come on sometimes and was on for test drive. The vehicle does not get driven alot as it is a third vehicle to the owner. Two questions for y'all:

As this is a purchase, we need to think worst cast scenario. Let's say the system is not functioning and needs full repair. I'm thinking that it would be a good 4000usd?

Second question, what if we just ignored it? My wife is not very particular and our vehicles get beat up anyway. Think ignoring it is an option?

Is there a third option?

 

[Hehena]

looking to buy an older 2013 460.

The owner/seller is honest and said the kdss light does come on sometimes and was on for test drive. The vehicle does not get driven alot as it is a third vehicle to the owner. Two questions for y'all:

As this is a purchase, we need to think worst cast scenario. Let's say the system is not functioning and needs full repair. I'm thinking that it would be a good 4000usd?

Second question, what if we just ignored it? My wife is not very particular and our vehicles get beat up anyway. Think ignoring it is an option?

Is there a third option?

My front piston is leaking, though the KDSS warning light hasn’t come on yet. I got a quote of nearly $4,000 for the repair, but none of the local Toyota or Lexus dealers have the tools needed to do the job. The truck doesn’t drive nearly as well as it used to—it used to feel pretty sporty, and now it just feels lumbering. I'd like to fix it myself but who has the time.

 

[cmattina]

My front piston is leaking, though the KDSS warning light hasn’t come on yet. I got a quote of nearly $4,000 for the repair, but none of the local Toyota or Lexus dealers have the tools needed to do the job. The truck doesn’t drive nearly as well as it used to—it used to feel pretty sporty, and now it just feels lumbering. I'd like to fix it myself but who has the time.

Thanks I appreciate that. It might be the kind of thing i'd let go on my own aging vehicle.

Reading that it is certainly something one notices if it is not working. The guy lives right in the city so my wife couldn't even take it for a proper test drive - though she loved it. not work the risk unless it is really cheap

 

[Acrad]

If you don’t have Techstream you can pull KDSS light blink codes via wire on OBD port. Info here

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

 

[cmattina]

If you don’t have Techstream you can pull KDSS light blink codes via wire on OBD port. Info here

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

Thanks, i did see that. And that is what lead me to believe it may be possible that kdss, is just a "nice to have thing" but one doesn't really notice, i.e. "just pull the light and forget about it". But everything online says the body roll is real bad without it.

I believe this light comes on solid intermittently. Meaning that if there isnt a real issue right now there soon will be. This is a canadian car and although the frame looks very good, it was in salt county and the seller has never taken the protector off the accumulator to clean stuff. So, all signs point to "a" issue with the KDSS.

The nearest dealer to me is 6 hour away. I dont mind changing control arms and stuff, but anything dealer specific is a turn off and worryfor me.

 

[r2m]

If you can't feel any difference in the ride and the dash light doesn't bother you, ignore it. It's sounds like you and your wife are not OCD about your vehicles, so again, on that note, don't worry about it, if everything else checks all the boxes.
After I lifted the suspension on my rig over 7 years ago, I have the AFS light on in my dash binnacle and after a couple weeks have never noticed it yet.

 

[cmattina]

If you can't feel any difference in the ride and the dash light doesn't bother you, ignore it. It's sounds like you and your wife are not OCD about your vehicles, so again, on that note, don't worry about it, if everything else checks all the boxes.
After I lifted the suspension on my rig over 7 years ago, I have the AFS light on in my dash binnacle and after a couple weeks have never noticed it yet.

Yeah, essentially our roads are so s***ty it is hard to even notice slight changes in a vehicles suspension. Several times I've gone under for an oil change or winter tire change over to see a broken coil spring (that had been broken for like 6+ months). Our brakes only last a couple years (10k miles) often

 

[Cold Iron]

Yeah, essentially our roads are so s***ty it is hard to even notice slight changes in a vehicles suspension. Several times I've gone under for an oil change or winter tire change over to see a broken coil spring (that had been broken for like 6+ months). Our brakes only last a couple years (10k miles) often

I don't have the answers to your KDSS question but I'm a bit shocked that you found a GX in Red Lake. Any further North in Sunset Country you need to change transportation mode to get around.

In the Fall I hunt grouse off Red Lake Rd. (105) mainly to the West of it. I think many here would be shocked at the "roads" around you LOL. And guessing that you would have to go to Winnipeg for parts. Shipping is a bit more than slow up to where your at as well and that can't help.

If you do end up getting it and this Fall see another 460 stop and say Hi! Odds are one of us will have to pull over to let the other one pass anyhow unless on the primary. I'll be the one with the Toller in the back

One of the game wardens out of Kenora runs a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever also.

Good luck!

 

[cmattina]

I don't have the answers to your KDSS question but I'm a bit shocked that you found a GX in Red Lake. Any further North in Sunset Country you need to change transportation mode to get around.

In the Fall I hunt grouse off Red Lake Rd. (105) mainly to the West of it. I think many here would be shocked at the "roads" around you LOL. And guessing that you would have to go to Winnipeg for parts. Shipping is a bit more than slow up to where your at as well and that can't help.

If you do end up getting it and this Fall see another 460 stop and say Hi! Odds are one of us will have to pull over to let the other one pass anyhow unless on the primary. I'll be the one with the Toller in the back

One of the game wardens out of Kenora runs a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever also.

Good luck!

Thanks for message! We're actually looking in Toronto because my wife was down there when her vehicle got written off. Though you would be surprised whats in red lake - maseratis, land rovers, lots of lexus, but only one or two GX. I get down to those roads on my motorcycle in the fall and summer so flag me too if you see me. If you ever came across a couple hunting with the german wire haired those are my buds. Though i know most locals down that way anyway.

 

[WTITW]

I'd fix it but I'm keeping mine for a while longer and I tow which sway comes into play a lot more. Part is $2K but seems totally doable in the garage. Some dudes (Tinkerers Adventure) run no stabilizer bar at all.

2010 Lexus GX 460 Base Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kit (Front) - 4800760023 | Bell Lexus North Scottsdale, Scottsdale AZ

Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kit (Front). STABILIZER-KDSS, PACKAGE, TRD. 2010 Lexus GX 460 Base. Genuine Lexus Part - 4800760023 (48007-60023, 4800760022). Ships from Bell Lexus North Scottsdale, Scottsdale AZ

parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com

 

[cmattina]

I'd fix it but I'm keeping mine for a while longer and I tow which sway comes into play a lot more. Part is $2K but seems totally doable in the garage. Some dudes (Tinkerers Adventure) run no stabilizer bar at all.

2010 Lexus GX 460 Base Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kit (Front) - 4800760023 | Bell Lexus North Scottsdale, Scottsdale AZ

Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link Kit (Front). STABILIZER-KDSS, PACKAGE, TRD. 2010 Lexus GX 460 Base. Genuine Lexus Part - 4800760023 (48007-60023, 4800760022). Ships from Bell Lexus North Scottsdale, Scottsdale AZ

parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com

So presumably, it could be that part you just shared (front stabilizer) or it could be the rear stabilizer? So, i'd need to budget for those plus the accumulator which can be had for about $1000usd. And maybe lines as well which are about 500 i think and apparently difficult to install without lifting body... maybe doable? worst case scerenio is about 3000usd in parts. And probably get it fixed in a weekend.

So,
accumulator is 850usd: Toyota 48006-60031 (4800660031) HOUSING ASSY, STABILIZER CONTROL W/ACCUMULATOR - https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/4800660031
stabilizer front is 1000usd Toyota 48007-60020 (4800760020) CYLINDER ASSY, FRONT STABILIZER W/TUBE - https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/4800760020
stabilizer rear is 500: Toyota 48886-60030 (4888660030) CYLINDER, REAR STABILIZER CONTROL - https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/4888660030
and tool is 300usd: GENUINE TOYOTA LEXUS HOUSING ASSY, STABILIZER CONTROL W/ACCUM KDSS 48006-60031 | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/374374632344

 

[Acrad]

Many dealers don’t have the pump to pressurize the system. I have seen a very few undertake themselves over the years with 3rd party pump and bleeding air out of the system.

System is pressurized at various points between 725-1000 psi

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

 

[cmattina]

Many dealers don’t have the pump to pressurize the system. I have seen a very few undertake themselves over the years with 3rd party pump and bleeding air out of the system.

System is pressurized at various points between 725-1000 psi

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

Many dealers don’t have the pump to pressurize the system. I have seen a very few undertake themselves over the years with 3rd party pump and bleeding air out of the system.

System is pressurized at various points between 725-1000 psi

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

Yes, so it seems to be a case of: replacing the any/all accumulator, front stabilizer, rear stabilizer. Filling, pressurizing/bleeding system.

Part replacement is the straight forward part. Pressurizing the system seems to a bit dicey both in just a matter of doing it properly.

These are fairly common vehicles worldwide and sold in lots of countries without a Lexus dealer and starbucks nearby. The chinese pumps are probably sold to a lot of said people in those countries.

 

[cmattina]

just as a question for anyone following
I have heard several times that some mechanics say "dont worry about it" if the kdss light comes on occasionally... Is this true?

 

[Acrad]

Obviously all GX 460s worldwide and the shorter run GX 400 in China all had KDSS but not all Prados do. I'm not sure of all markets but IIRC.. the top of the line Kakadu in Australia had KDSS.

You would have to pull the codes to know how bad it was. If system effectively loses all pressure you would be basically driving a vehicle that felt like it didn't have any sway bars or were disconnected. Are you seeing any obvious leaks? How many miles/kilometers? How much for vehicle?

You will find far fewer in forums who have serviced KDSS than who personally did a valley plate or timing cover leak repair.

A light on means any number of codes listed in that post below.

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

 

[Acrad]

If you do test with the OBD wire and KDSS light blink make sure you pay note to the orientation.

It actually sits like this under the dash.

This is one area that OBD Link/Fusion doesn't seem to read on my vehicle. I have to use Techstream or the built in diagnostic mode listed in post.

 

[cmattina]

Obviously all GX 460s worldwide and the shorter run GX 400 in China all had KDSS but not all Prados do. I'm not sure of all markets but IIRC.. the top of the line Kakadu in Australia had KDSS.

You would have to pull the codes to know how bad it was. If system effectively loses all pressure you would be basically driving a vehicle that felt like it didn't have any sway bars or were disconnected. Are you seeing any obvious leaks? How many miles/kilometers? How much for vehicle?

You will find far fewer in forums who have serviced KDSS than who personally did a valley plate or timing cover leak repair.

A light on means any number of codes listed in that post below.

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

Thank you very much for the info.

Unfortunately, my wife is looking at this while I am 2000km away. Her vehicle was written off while she was away for work for 3 months. As typical, she doesn't really have a feel for driving and wouldn't notice poor handling (this is also downtown in a big city, so it takes 30 min to get to bumper to bumper on the highway) a real test drive is not practical.

She did not get a chance to check for obvious signs of leaks (my lack of foresight, she knows what to look for now on a video call). All i am going off is the seller said sometimes the light comes on, but generally it is not on. My wife said she remembered seeing "K something" on the dash but couldnt remember if it was just for a moment or while she was driving.... .....................................

The vehicle has 210 000km and is $22000CAD ($15500USD). This seems to be a fair price considering the market. The vehicle has excellent maintenance records and has been undercoated it's whole life - bus as we all know undercoating does not help with KDSS, unless, i guess the undercoat get under the shield... which is doubt in this case. but maybe

We also looking at another one with 98000km, but it is 24000usd.

 

[cmattina]

Obviously all GX 460s worldwide and the shorter run GX 400 in China all had KDSS but not all Prados do. I'm not sure of all markets but IIRC.. the top of the line Kakadu in Australia had KDSS.

You would have to pull the codes to know how bad it was. If system effectively loses all pressure you would be basically driving a vehicle that felt like it didn't have any sway bars or were disconnected. Are you seeing any obvious leaks? How many miles/kilometers? How much for vehicle?

You will find far fewer in forums who have serviced KDSS than who personally did a valley plate or timing cover leak repair.

A light on means any number of codes listed in that post below.

#KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - #KDSS Info / Problems / Discussion - I have a 2010 Lexus GX460 bought in 8/2010. I live in Wisconsin. The vehicle has 49000 miles as of 5/2015. The vehicle has been running great until the winter of 2013/2014 when the KDSS light starts to flash from time to time. I...

www.clublexus.com

I went through the photos my wife took and I found this one that she just happened to capture. From a Canadian perspective there is VERY little rust on the vehicle for having 210000. This is a result of yearly undercoating. To me, i see an indication of a leak in the seepage around the bolt holes. This very well could be from undercoating coming through or just my imagination. Unfortunately, sending my wife to take the cover off the guy's vehicle is not really an option i dont think. She is capable, but i doubt the guy would be okay with it.

 

[r2m]

I went through the photos my wife took and I found this one that she just happened to capture. From a Canadian perspective there is VERY little rust on the vehicle for having 210000. This is a result of yearly undercoating. To me, i see an indication of a leak in the seepage around the bolt holes. This very well could be from undercoating coming through or just my imagination. Unfortunately, sending my wife to take the cover off the guy's vehicle is not really an option i dont think. She is capable, but i doubt the guy would be okay with it.

View attachment 3880534

Wow! That's cleaner than my So. Cal GX!

 

[cmattina]

Wow! That's cleaner than my So. Cal GX!

Do you see the potential sign of leakage at those bolts on the shield? But yeah, it's as clean as it can get