LX470 hydraulic shock longevity?

[Jim_Chow]

OK, where can I get "Landcruiser Magazine" ?

I got mine at a bookstore in Sapporo station. The one to get is the Hyper-Rev (I think No. 78) Landcruiser magazine, as it has LC history, specs, accessories, but it's not a monthly (more like a thin, softbound book). There are actually two versions, an old one through the 80 series, and a newer one through the 120 series.

 

[Toylexmods]

I took a look at the 100 series maintenance article in the Jan 05 issue of Landcruiser magazine, and it says just to check the level and if it's low, something is leaking and you have the dealer fix it. It says to use Toyota-brand hydraulic shock oil for it, but doesn't say what the substitute is. And who knows how to flush the thing?

As an aside, I was looking at the fluid capacities of the LC100....man, the 1HD-FTE uses 3 gallons of oil for each change! The H151 5spd manual tranny uses less than 3 qts of fluid, while the auto tranny uses like 4 gallons of ATF! Talk about cost differences if you're using synthetic!

There is a service interval for the LX suspension fluid. It is noted right in the owners manual. I personally would flush the entire system on a routine basis. That said, have I flushed mine? Nope, I just suck out the tank and refill with new fluid from time to time. It has worked so far....90k.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[hoser]

More info how to flush AHC fluid here. Easier than bleeding the brakes since you don't have to remove the wheels.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=60619

 

[chukiechz]

almost 206k miles here and they still work fine on my LX. AHC works too

 

[LEXUSBEN]

I don't know much about the Lexus system, but it sounds like it may be similar to the Mercedes system that has been around since the 1970s. Basically, you have a hydraulic pump that feeds oil from a reservoir to the dampers. There is usually a mechanical sensor (in Mercedes case mounted to the rear sway bar) that can sense when the axle is being compressed. When it does so, it opens a valve and pumps more hydaulic fluid into the dampers to raise the chassis back off the axle. The nitrogen accumulators are plumbed downstream, and have a membrane that separates the fluid-filled portion of the sphere from the nitrogen-filled half. The nitrogen side is what provides the "give" against the fluid in the dampers and allows the system to actually damp the springs. If the membrane breaks (most common failure) then the entire accumulator sphere fills with fluid, and no longer can dampen the spring. The ride will become very hard at this point.

The downside is the complexity and expense of repairs. Can't simply throw in a new shock. The upside is complete rebuildability (even the dampers can be rebuilt - usually it's just O-rings that go out on those).

But, if you do decide to ditch the system, look at all the components and make sure you account for them. For example, the hydraulic fluid pump on the Mercedes is run off one of the camshafts. If you remove it, you need a block-off plate for the head. But you can probably drop about 100 pounds if you rip it all out and replace with a standard LC suspension.

Anyway, enough rambling for tonight...

This is a pretty good outline of how the Lexus system works. With the exception of it is run by an electric pump on the bottom of the height control fluid reservoir. All accumulators do use nitrogen as the "spring" as well. #1 cause of failure is gas station attendant puts washer fluid in height control - eats all diaphragms and nitrogen leaks out - rides stiff. Have seen a few shock seals fail, it happens but is not common. I think you will notice ride quality sucks long before you notice low fluid level. Accumulators are pretty expensive $600 ea (i think) compared to regular suspension system. But considering they are working all the time (not just when the vehicle raises and lowers, but every time you hit any sort of bump) 120k out of the accumulators is pretty good. Most failures I have seen other than washer fluid have no pattern and have usually occured under the warranty. Hope this answers some questions.
ben

 

[hoser]

Good information! Ben, just wanted to clear up something. You refer to "Accumulators" but do you really mean "Actuators" (Damping Force Actuator). See Diagram. Just don't want anybody to special order the wrong part.

I have read good things about Keith Bowers at B&B Suspensions. He rebuilds the actuators at a very reasonable price ($175/ea). You can reach him at: kebowers47@hotmail.com

 

[2garfields]

Similar to Range Rover

I am new to the fourms. The Range Rover has a similar system, which used airbags to rise and lower the vehicle (In my 95 RR LWB). Although after 50-60k of milage, when the airbags go dry or damage during off road using, you can replace all of them, or with coil suspensions. It costed around $1k with parts and labor, but you better take it to a RR specialist.

 

[LEXUSBEN]

Good information! Ben, just wanted to clear up something. You refer to "Accumulators" but do you really mean "Actuators" (Damping Force Actuator). See Diagram. Just don't want anybody to special order the wrong part.

I have read good things about Keith Bowers at B&B Suspensions. He rebuilds the actuators at a very reasonable price ($175/ea). You can reach him at: kebowers47@hotmail.com

Hoser, you are correct in that the whole assy is called the actuator. The piece I'm referring to is the big ball piece on the end of the actuator. This is the part that actually fails, it is the part that contains the nitrogen and the diaphragm. I have never seen the actual actuator fail, or one of the pumps for that matter.
Thanks for pointing that out hoser.

 

[hkeller]

Man, I think the same thing is happening on my wife's 2000 LX. One day, the fluid level in the reservoir dropped about 3/4 of an inch. At the same time, the ride got very bouncey in the rear.

Can this problem be anything else. I would have hoped Toyota would have done a better job than this.

 

[KBFlight]

LX470 suspension longevity

[FONT=&quot]I purchased a new 1999 LX470 in 1999 and now have 190,000 miles on the vehicle. I have run the gamut of situations with my LX470,from hundreds of miles of serious 4-wheelling, including driving down creeks as deep as 3 1/2 feet, driving in sand and desert hills with inclines of 30 degrees or more, to desert highway driving at 110 MPH fro an hour. Most of that was early on; I've toned my driving down quite a bit, mainly due to lack of time or dread of sk-rocketing price paid if caught driving at high speeds these days, (by the way, at 110MPH the LX470 hunkers down and handles quite impressively for an SUV at high speed.).
I'm telling you all this to explain that my LX470 hasn't been pampered and kept from touching even a dirt road, like the majority of these vehicles.

The vehicle has had only routine suspension maintenance, (basically operational checks and fluid changes every 30,000 miles, (I couldn't help thinking the recommended interval of 15K was excessive). The LX rides as good as new as I can imagine. With so many miles, several times I thought surely something needed replacing, if not just to avoid an unexpected breakdown. I’ve had the suspension checked by two Lexus dealers and two independent repair shops, all finding the suspension mechanics in good condition, fully functional and operating properly.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]What can I say? (Bought an excellent vehicle that was built on the right day, by great assembly and test personnel?).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]But if you do need, (or think you need) repair parts, one site I looked at was B & B Suspension. Their web site is http://www.activesuspensionsystems.com . You can get a set of four accumulators for $1400, with good tech support and easy do-it-yourself instructions if you do any of your own work on the vehicle. Sure beats the dealer’s pricing with no apparent compromise.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Good luck,[/FONT]
Kevin

 

[KBFlight]

Can any LX470 owners out there comment on the longevity of the hydraulic lifting shocks/accumulators and their maintenance/replacement? Do these have the typical lifespan of shocks (30K or 60K mi), or are they designed to last 20 yrs and 300K miles? Figure that the first 5 yrs of the typical LX mall cruiser is always in the "low" position and gets nil use.

Hi,
I'm a rookie at posting to forums, and may have put my reply in the wrong plase. Apologies, if I am repeating myself.

I purchased a new 1999 LX470 in 1999 and now have 190,000 miles on the vehicle. I have run the gamut of situations with my LX470,from hundreds of miles of serious 4-wheelling, including driving down creeks as deep as 3 1/2 feet, driving in sand and desert hills with inclines of 30 degrees or more, to desert highway driving at 110 MPH fro an hour. Most of that was early on; I've toned my driving down quite a bit, mainly due to lack of time or dread of sk-rocketing price paid if caught driving at high speeds these days, (by the way, at 110MPH the LX470 hunkers down and handles quite impressively for an SUV at high speed.).

I'm telling you all this to explain that my LX470 hasn't been pampered and kept from touching even a dirt road, like the majority of these vehicles. The vehicle has had only routine suspension maintenance, (basically operational checks and fluid changes every 30,000 miles, (I couldn't help thinking the recommended interval of 15K was excessive). The LX rides as good as new as I can imagine. With so many miles, several times I thought surely something needed replacing, if not just to avoid an unexpected breakdown. I’ve had the suspension checked by two Lexus dealers and two independent repair shops, all finding the suspension mechanics in good condition, fully functional and operating properly.

What can I say? (Bought an excellent vehicle that was built on the right day, by great assembly and test personnel?).

But if you do need, (or think you need) repair parts, one site I looked at was B & B Suspension. Their web site is LX 470 Suspension Accumulators | Nitrogen Globes | Land Cruiser Damping Globes . You can get a set of four accumulators for $1400, with good tech support and easy do-it-yourself instructions if you do any of your own work on the vehicle. Sure beats the dealer’s pricing with no apparent compromise.

Good luck,

Kevin

 

[hoser]

At one time, B&B had a good reputation. But reviews in recent years have not been stellar. I would go OEM if I was replacing the accumulators and they would have a REAL warranty. I would not need to do tests and take photos and jump through so many hoops to make a claim on the warranty.

 

[Dangerruss]

BTW, anyone know the price of a t-belt and water pump replacement at 90K mi for a LX vs a LC, assuming a Toyota dealer won't work on the LX so you have to take it to the lexus dealer?

Why would you assume that a Toyota shop would not want to do a T-belt and water pump on the engine? My local Toyota dealer have no problems working on Toyota engines even if they are in a Lexus.

 

[cartelcruiser]

Reviving as I'm currently looking at my 2003 LX with 183k on it, and will be replacing the front shocks. I did the acuumulators (globes) myself about 200 miles ago along with a full system bleed/flush. I got all of them for $600 shipped from Japan. You can also get the shocks themselves for $205. At 22 years old and the original shocks, not knowing the previous histroy of how hard it was driven, I'm going to do them. Have some bounce/vibration especially out of the front passenger. Heard a lot of "shocks will last forever, it's the globes you need to replace" and while I don't disagree the globes may go out before the shocks, the truck has Northeast origins and there's a lot of corrosion. Will post back after replacing and update on ride quality.

 

[TLEXAS]

Reviving as I'm currently looking at my 2003 LX with 183k on it, and will be replacing the front shocks. I did the acuumulators (globes) myself about 200 miles ago along with a full system bleed/flush. I got all of them for $600 shipped from Japan. You can also get the shocks themselves for $205. At 22 years old and the original shocks, not knowing the previous histroy of how hard it was driven, I'm going to do them. Have some bounce/vibration especially out of the front passenger. Heard a lot of "shocks will last forever, it's the globes you need to replace" and while I don't disagree the globes may go out before the shocks, the truck has Northeast origins and there's a lot of corrosion. Will post back after replacing and update on ride quality.

You only need to replace the shocks when they leak. I have replaced two shocks since new and now am at 620,000km. Replaced the 4 accumulators at about 500,000km when it was evident the nitrogen had leaked internally. The AHC system provides a marvellous ride and I do not understand the fervour some folk have about replacing the system with inferior standard shocks.

 

[AN470]

210k miles, still on original globes and "shocks", rides smooth and functions perfectly.

 

[CAVU]

270k miles on my 1999 LX470. One accumulator went bad a year ago, so I replaced all 4 out of concern over future availability (now have 1 front and 2 rear spares). I'm now replacing all 4 shocks, as they are leaking. It's expensive ($300/shock from the dealer today), but I have had this truck for 13 years and 200k miles, and I love the variable firmness of the ride and the AHC. I've taken it off road all over the Great Basin and it has been great. There have only been a few times I got closed out because it's not narrow enough. For those places, I'll take the XJ . . .