LX470 AHC

[Aminekh]

My 5 year warranty on my LX470 is about to expire. I have just bought this LX with a few month left on warranty. Can anyone advice me specifically on AHC common problems and what to look for?
a few things I noticed... it seems the rear break gets stuck every now and then so when I start I hear a clunk in the back...
if I hit the brakes and stop the car seems to keep sort of rocking back and forth but very mildly.
some old oil leak appears around the shocks but can't tell how old it is as it is basically now dirt stuck on the shocks. Nothing fresh though.

thanks.

 

[pman]

For the brakes, that sounds unusual to me. Most likely the calipers need to be cleaned, has it been through any mud? Otherwise it may be the typical 100 series drive line clunk. Someone else may be more helpful

For AHC to my knowledge the only thing that really goes bad are the accumulators and the only way you'll notice that is when the ride becomes really s***ty or the truck won't ride at the correct height. Other than that there isn't much that will go wrong.

I wouldn't worry about AHC, when it dies just put normal shocks and springs in.

 

[tabraha]

I agree with all of what pman stated. The clunk is probably the infamous drive line clunk. Check in the FAQ sticky as I think there is a thread that deals with lubing the driveshaft to reduce it for awhile. If it is more of a creak or groan then it's probably brakes. A single clunk or thud sounds like driveline noise.

Shouldn't really have AHC fluid leaking out of the shocks so you may want that looked at. Also if you've never had the fluid changed in the system, I'd say you are due!

BTW here's what my fluid looked like new vs what came out...

 

[Aminekh]

huh, impressive

well the car has a proper service history with the dealers up until now... what is the recommended service interval for the fluid... darn... i can't get the color outta of my head!

I do have a drive line clunk but it is not the same as that feel like something held it for a split second before it went. I will remove the rear tires and inspect those brakes and I will search for this drive line thread... otherwise I love this Lx470... seriously! he he...

 

[Aminekh]

one more question.. my front lights feel like a cross eyed guy. on a foggy night i can see my left beam and my right both pointing to the center of the car rather than forward... like half an X so I don't exactly see them cross. is this the normal setting or should I commence in a light alignment jobi?

Final question... it seems to have a tendency to drift slightly to the right... new set of tires and full wheel alignment... and I still have that tendency... any comments?

 

[Brock]

even with proper service history that is no promise that it is working properly....I saw one with full records that the globes were replaced and then 6 months later needed replacing again. A new guy in service department did not realize the AHC resevoir was for hydraulic fluid and NOT WINDOW WASHER FLUID.

Once it gets in and goes through pump it ruins pump and entire system I was told...even if you flush it out....

Headlights sound like they need adjusting....a little is common but not enough to see. you can do it yourself with measured distance from garage door and measurement from ground up....but wont hurt at all to be sure.

drifting right can be from crown of road leaning that way for drainage in your area...try on multiple roads. if already realigned and still doing it...check tire pressure....also, measure from center of hub to bottom edge of front fender as torsion bars being vastly different in setting can cause it too. When my TB was too high it would pull to right on acceleration....reset them again to give more droop in front and went away...drives perfect now.

 

[uHu]

Check the AHC globes (gas springs) by counting the notches on the ahc reservoir. Set the ahc height to Low, note the ahc fluid level in the tank, change height to Hi, and count the number of graduations the fluid level has changed on the corner of the reservoir. 7 or less means they are shot, 14 or more means they are like new. Conditions include that the heights are set correctly for Hi and Low, and that the ahc neutral pressure is correct (i.e. that the balance between steel and gas springs is right). If the TBs haven't been adjusted, and the coils haven't been changed for years, the pressure will be too high and the gas springs (globes) will be more (com)pressed.

So, a full check of the AHC system will at least include a full change of fluid, checking the Neutral Pressure front and rear, checking heights, and counting the grad's of fluid level change.

 

[DallasFJ40]

Check the AHC globes (gas springs) by counting the notches on the ahc reservoir. Set the ahc height to Low, note the ahc fluid level in the tank, change height to Hi, and count the number of graduations the fluid level has changed on the corner of the reservoir. 7 or less means they are shot, 14 or more means they are like new. Conditions include that the heights are set correctly for Hi and Low, and that the ahc neutral pressure is correct (i.e. that the balance between steel and gas springs is right). If the TBs haven't been adjusted, and the coils haven't been changed for years, the pressure will be too high and the gas springs (globes) will be more (com)pressed.

So, a full check of the AHC system will at least include a full change of fluid, checking the Neutral Pressure front and rear, checking heights, and counting the grad's of fluid level change.

This is great advice and I will use it when looking at LX470s. However, where is the AHC reservoir?

 

[uHu]

If you open the hood, and can read, you will find...

 

[DallasFJ40]

If you open the hood, and can read, you will find...

Haha! Thanks.

 

[hankinid]

This is great advice and I will use it when looking at LX470s. However, where is the AHC reservoir?

Big white square tank, aft end of the passenger's side inner fender panel. Black screwtop lid.

Steve