LX470 hydraulic shock longevity?

[Jim_Chow]

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.

 

[cruisermaine]

I'm wondering about this too. I've narrowed my search to two vehicles a 2000 cruiser and a 99 LX. The LX has a more attractive price and a complete (good) service history. But if those shocks go it's $$$$$$$ or complete replacement with standard suspension.

 

[bsjoiner]

I have a 99 LX470 and have 135,000 miles on her and have replaced the front accumulators once at about 90,000 and then had to go back and replace all four at 130,000. I am not sure if i am an exception but i have heard of others with similar experiences. I do however carry very heavy loads sometimes but i hardly ever tow anything. The hydro does make the ride great and makes hooking up a trailer of fitting in a short garage very easy.

 

[NMuzj100]

Does the 99 LX have Traction Control ? If not go with the 2000 LC (4-Pinion Diff and TC).

Can you just throw a LC suspension (from Slee maybe) under a LX ? or are there compatibility issues with that.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I have a 99 LX470 and have 135,000 miles on her and have replaced the front accumulators once at about 90,000 and then had to go back and replace all four at 130,000. I am not sure if i am an exception but i have heard of others with similar experiences. I do however carry very heavy loads sometimes but i hardly ever tow anything. The hydro does make the ride great and makes hooking up a trailer of fitting in a short garage very easy.

How much did it cost to replace those accumulators? Exactly what do they do? I was looking at my Jan '05 Landcruiser magazine (from Japan) and there's a section on 100 series maintenance. Anyways, it says that if the AHC resevoir oil is low, there's a leak somewhere, and to take it to the dealer. I imagine if those AHC shocks are shot, you could probably buy a set of LC or OME t-bars/rear springs and lose the AHC altogether, although you'd lose a cool feature (if being able to create an instant lift at the flip of a switch).

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?

 

[dclee]

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...

 

[tabraha]

Most of us over 100k haven't replaced them yet Jim but I don't think any of us have close to 200k yet either. In the next couple years the lifespan will be found out more definitively I think. For the money I have in this caliber of vehicle by buying used; I can justify to myself replacing them when they fail with new parts. Saving over $30000 off of a new LX; I never payed for the new parts to start with

 

[bsjoiner]

If was about $3000 to have all four replaced and it is cumulators are not usually the problem of them leaking but just "giving out" much like a busted shock would. The ctaccumulators are the only part on the system that can wear under normal circumstances unless you break something while offroad or in an accident. The LX can be fitted with an LC suspension but I would not for resale value and ride etc.

 

[dnp]

......... For the money I have in this caliber of vehicle by buying used; I can justify to myself replacing them when they fail with new parts. Saving over $30000 off of a new LX; I never payed for the new parts to start with

That's sort of the position I took on my 99, as well. Being that the Lexus is a Toyota, and since I have had such GREAT experiencies with other "recent" (1970 and up) Japanese vehicles, I figured the shocks were worth a risk.

By the way, a few months ago, someone posted a question about, and an offer to, rebuild any failed components on these Lexus hydraulic suspension components......do any of you know anything about that guy's service?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

If was about $3000 to have all four replaced and it is cumulators are not usually the problem of them leaking but just "giving out" much like a busted shock would. The ctaccumulators are the only part on the system that can wear under normal circumstances unless you break something while offroad or in an accident. The LX can be fitted with an LC suspension but I would not for resale value and ride etc.

Depends what "ride" you want. An OME suspension offers much improved handling over the stock LX. The ride is still cushy but much more controlled and with less body lean. Once experienced, most would never go back. It's like driving an M-series Cruiser!

 

[Landpimp]

agreed! and we can get shocks for $60 each

Depends what "ride" you want. An OME suspension offers much improved handling over the stock LX. The ride is still cushy but much more controlled and with less body lean. Once experienced, most would never go back. It's like driving an M-series Cruiser!

 

[Jim_Chow]

That's one thing that scares me about owning a LX over an LC for the long term...if there's something you need the dealer to do, you'll have to take it to a Lexus dealer and pay premium $$$ for their service. At least that's something to consider if one is keeping the rig for 15-20 yrs.

I imagine one could replace the accumulators yourself (probably like replacing brake components?), but you'll still have to order them from a Lexus dealer. At least with most other parts, you can probably order the Toyota part for the LC and it'll mostly likely fit (but there's always a risk) In this sense, I like having old-fashioned shocks. Ditto w/ the X-REAS system on the Prado/4runner. At least I think that one's completely non-electronic and independent of all engine/electrical functions, so one need not worry about plugging up a hole in the engine or anything. Are you sure the AHC runs off engine power and not electricity, being that the brake master is electronically assisted?

 

[Toylexmods]

BS,

What were your symptoms when the accumulators went bad?

My 99LX/77k has at times felt like a buck board with no shocks. Then I flushed the AHC and it has been better.

 

[bsjoiner]

The symptoms are a very bouncy ride and very sloppy feeling handling. If you hit a bump the truck will just bounce and bounce.

 

[Toylexmods]

So, your saying that there is no shock damping and the truck feels like the shocks are shot and too soft.

My situation is that the truck feels like a indy race car and is hard as a rock over bumps.

Which is the case? Like I said, I flushed the AHC and its better.

 

[Pitbull]

I like having old-fashioned shocks. Ditto w/ the X-REAS system on the Prado/4runner. At least I think that one's completely non-electronic and independent of all engine/electrical functions, so one need not worry about plugging up a hole in the engine or anything. Are you sure the AHC runs off engine power and not electricity, being that the brake master is electronically assisted?

Jim your correct the Xreas shock system is not electronic and should last a long time, and be easy to repair/replace or if you want just replace with normal shocks. The LX is a beautiful vehicle but with complexity comes potential added expense. I know of 2 LX's that had problems with the suspension system before they pasted 70K miles. Aren't these systems supposed to be maintained, (fluid exchange/flush every X number of miles)? Maybe lack of maintainance is causing a failure problem in some of these LX's?

 

[bsjoiner]

There is no scheduled maintence that I am aware of for the suspension on the LX470. It all depends of the loads and driving conditions the truck has to put up with. It is like brakes in that you can have drastically different wear depending on the driver and the conditions that the truck is exposed to.

 

[bsjoiner]

I jsut recently replaced the four accumulators and the ride was very bouncy, the exact opposite of what you are describing. You may have a problem with the pressure regulator on the system making the shocks in "super sport" mode.

 

[Jim_Chow]

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!

 

[NMuzj100]

OK, where can I get "Landcruiser Magazine" ?