LX470 AHC Problems (1 Viewer)

[atlgapdo]

1. Yes. You need to replace the torsion bars. The LC bars are larger diameter, designed to hold the load without assistance from AHC.

2. I left AHC components in place, other than the "Shocks". Yes, it is only time and work to remove them, but time is one thing I don't have enough of nowadays, and it does not hurt to leave them in place. I banded plastic bags over the ends of the hydraulic hose connections previously connected to the AHC "shocks", and positioned them where they would not interfere with anything.

1. I have heard other people using a kit from Strutmaster and just crank up the existing torsion bar after installing the front shocks to raise the height. You don't think that's going to work?

2. I plan to leave the AHC intact too. This may be a dumb question but did you have to de-pressurize (i.e, bleed/remove all fluid ) the AHC before removing the line from the shocks to avoid having the fluid squirting all over? or is not going to happen because the car is off?

 

[1loudLX]

1. I have heard other people using a kit from Strutmaster and just crank up the existing torsion bar after installing the front shocks to raise the height. You don't think that's going to work?

So then just try it! It's not like either of us have already done what you're thinking about doing and have first hand knowledge of the "issue".

You're probably confusing the stock-LC-non-AHC-people cranking their tbars up for lift instead of putting in an OME tbar because they do not need the extra spring rate yet because their truck is stock and just want the extra height....with the people who have removed AHC.

 

[atlgapdo]

So then just try it! It's not like either of us have already done what you're thinking about doing and have first hand knowledge of the "issue".

You're probably confusing the stock-LC-non-AHC-people cranking their tbars up for lift instead of putting in an OME tbar because they do not need the extra spring rate yet because their truck is stock and just want the extra height....with the people who have removed AHC.

It looked like Tinkerer had done it and I was expecting his opinions ...

FYI, the person who installed the Strutmaster was also converting his LX470 with a failed AHC system too!

 

[uHu]

1. I have heard other people using a kit from Strutmaster and just crank up the existing torsion bar after installing the front shocks to raise the height. You don't think that's going to work?

2. I plan to leave the AHC intact too. This may be a dumb question but did you have to de-pressurize (i.e, bleed/remove all fluid ) the AHC before removing the line from the shocks to avoid having the fluid squirting all over? or is not going to happen because the car is off?

To remove the ahc "shocks" (they are not really shock-absorbers) you will have to put the truck in Low, then let out all ahc-pressure through the bleed valves. The truck will then be sitting on the bump stops, if not suppprted on stands. If you then fabricate a plug-thingy for the ahc fluid-line, you could keep the ahc system intact with fluid in it, which is probably the best. Just remember to disconnect the ahc pump motor!!! as well as the fuse.

The springs (TBs & coils) of an AHC equipped rig are not designed to lift it off the bump-stops at all. That's the job of the ahc system with the gas springs (spheres, accumulators, balls, etc). (Other cars with similar systems have no steel springs at all. Just t0yota has chosen a hybrid system with steel helper-springs on the heavy(-duty) LC)

 

[DallasCrzr]

If youre going to keep the stock lx tbars make sure youre not under the car when you bleed the system

 

[atlgapdo]

To remove the ahc "shocks" (they are not really shock-absorbers) you will have to put the truck in Low, then let out all ahc-pressure through the bleed valves. The truck will then be sitting on the bump stops, if not suppprted on stands. If you then fabricate a plug-thingy for the ahc fluid-line, you could keep the ahc system intact with fluid in it, which is probably the best. Just remember to disconnect the ahc pump motor!!! as well as the fuse.

The springs (TBs & coils) of an AHC equipped rig are not designed to lift it off the bump-stops at all. That's the job of the ahc system with the gas springs (spheres, accumulators, balls, etc). (Other cars with similar systems have no steel springs at all. Just t0yota has chosen a hybrid system with steel helper-springs on the heavy(-duty) LC)

thanks for the tips ...

I will be sure to have the car on jack stands when I get under it...

 

[darkd]

AHC stuck in low fixed by replacing pump sub-assembly and fluid flush

Based on Joe422's post and others, I decided to try the pump sub-assembly fix.

I was having a similar issue where the AHC was intermittent. At first I couldn't get it into high, but neutral seemed okay. Eventually it started going into low and was unwilling to get into neutral. Occasionally I could hear the pump trying to work, but it would just settle back down. It seemed to work better in warm weather perhaps due to changes in fluid viscosity, but eventually it was stuck in low most of the time. The AHC "OFF" would also occasionally flash. I brought it in to some shops and they told me they didn't have the right equipment to read the problem codes. I then brought it to the Lexus dealer, Lexus of Glendale, and they offered to "fix" it for $7000 by replacing the whole system. They said they simply didn't know enough about it to replace individual parts. Based on the posts in this forum, I found a mechanic, Legit Auto at 1065 N. Gower in Los Angeles, that was willing to do the work mentioned in the posts here. They replaced the pump sub-assembly and flushed the system. They said that the fluid seemed very dirty and corroded. I'm not sure if it just gets bad over time or if someone put the wrong fluid in at some point. Anyway, for under $700 of parts and labor it is now running as good as new.

 

[brevitything]

So then just try it! It's not like either of us have already done what you're thinking about doing and have first hand knowledge of the "issue".

You're probably confusing the stock-LC-non-AHC-people cranking their tbars up for lift instead of putting in an OME tbar because they do not need the extra spring rate yet because their truck is stock and just want the extra height....with the people who have removed AHC.

This is an old thread but - LOL.

My LX is sitting on the bumpstops in the garage with new shocks and factory LX torsion bars. Doh!

Yeah - the Lexus torsion bars will not hold up the weight of the truck at all FYI. I'll get some pics after I order new TBs Haha.