lx470 shocks! (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Sep 21, 2019
Threads
42
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185
Location
Detroit Michigan
My shocks are leaking very slowly and the AHC is working as it should, I've decided once the AHC fail I won't be repairing but do a full LC suspension, I live in Michigan metro Detroit and I don't know where to take it once it does ? Any Michigan ppl convert their LX?

I'm thinking about this site:

 
Check neutral pressure, if shocks are leaking very slowly then they might be overworked, crank the torsion bars and shim the rear springs should bring the pressure down and relieve the shocks of the duty and might stop the leak. YMMV
 
Fix AHC. Do not convert it based on internet scare stories. There is almost NO multi-thousand dollar repair that's even possible with the system, unless everything is rusted beyond repair (generally not an issue, but if you're in the rust belt you might be the exception).

That kit you linked doesn't include torsion bars. They suggest reindexing and re-using AHC bars. That's not going to give you a decent suspension.

Run the basic tests to determine AHC health as far as springs/adjustment and globe health. For most owners AHC maintenance will cost the same as conventional suspension upkeep. The "AHC thousands of dollar repairs" myth is based on mechanics that don't know how it works, nor how to repair it.
 
Fix AHC. Do not convert it based on internet scare stories. There is almost NO multi-thousand dollar repair that's even possible with the system, unless everything is rusted beyond repair (generally not an issue, but if you're in the rust belt you might be the exception).

That kit you linked doesn't include torsion bars. They suggest reindexing and re-using AHC bars. That's not going to give you a decent suspension.

Run the basic tests to determine AHC health as far as springs/adjustment and globe health. For most owners AHC maintenance will cost the same as conventional suspension upkeep. The "AHC thousands of dollar repairs" myth is based on mechanics that don't know how it works, nor how to repair it.
I agree ripping out ahc is to degrade the vehicle, unless your a hardcore off-roader then may be . There’s too many myths about ahc and parts aren’t that bad
 
The "AHC thousands of dollar repairs" myth is based on mechanics that don't know how it works, nor how to repair it.

There’s too many myths about ahc and parts aren’t that bad

While I'd agree, that AHC gets a probably undeserved bad rap. If you're depending on the local dealer, the $1000+ repair is far from a "myth". If you assume that just the accumulators/globes are "shot", discounted dealer prices for parts are ~$2776 (full retail is allegedly ~$3700) without labor:



This is assuming that you can get the dealer to focus on the accumulators/globes, and not misdiagnose the issue as a "shock problem" at another ~$1000 (excluding labor, and in addition to properly adjusting the pressures with springs/shims and adjusting the torsion bars).

Of course, it can be done cheaper, with Pleiades or other alternate sources for accumulators/globes, if you don't have any physical/techinical limitations that prevent you from doing the labor yourself.
 
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Fix AHC. Do not convert it based on internet scare stories. There is almost NO multi-thousand dollar repair that's even possible with the system, unless everything is rusted beyond repair (generally not an issue, but if you're in the rust belt you might be the exception).

That kit you linked doesn't include torsion bars. They suggest reindexing and re-using AHC bars. That's not going to give you a decent suspension.

Run the basic tests to determine AHC health as far as springs/adjustment and globe health. For most owners AHC maintenance will cost the same as conventional suspension upkeep. The "AHC thousands of dollar repairs" myth is based on mechanics that don't know how it works, nor how to repair it.
Thanks for the info, this helps alot. My rig is at 197k and it's going strong. The AHC system is healthy but a small leakage isn't that bad.
 
I agree ripping out ahc is to degrade the vehicle, unless your a hardcore off-roader then may be . There’s too many myths about ahc and parts aren’t that bad
Not a off roader, just a city driver. I think the ppl that pump out the fear for them is the off roaders ppl. Idk just saying.
 
While I'd agree, that AHC gets a probably undeserved bad rap. If you're depending on the local dealer, the $1000+ repair is far from a "myth". If you assume that just the accumulators/globes are "shot", discounted dealer prices for parts are ~$2776 (full retail is allegedly ~$3700) without labor:



This is assuming that you can get the dealer to focus on the accumulators/globes, and not misdiagnose the issue as a "shock problem" at another ~$1000 (excluding labor, and in addition to properly adjusting the pressures with springs/shims and adjusting the torsion bars).

Of course, it can be done cheaper, with Pleiades or other alternate sources for accumulators/globes, if you don't have any physical/techinical limitations that prevent you from doing the labor yourself.
My globes and AHC system is working fine. I'm ready to take it for an PPI once they open, just to see what's up with the truck. It drives smooth thou but just to make sure.
 
While I'd agree, that AHC gets a probably undeserved bad rap. If you're depending on the local dealer, the $1000+ repair is far from a "myth". If you assume that just the accumulators/globes are "shot", discounted dealer prices for parts are ~$2776 (full retail is allegedly ~$3700) without labor:



This is assuming that you can get the dealer to focus on the accumulators/globes, and not misdiagnose the issue as a "shock problem" at another ~$1000 (excluding labor, and in addition to properly adjusting the pressures with springs/shims and adjusting the torsion bars).

Of course, it can be done cheaper, with Pleiades or other alternate sources for accumulators/globes, if you don't have any physical/techinical limitations that prevent you from doing the labor yourself.

You just need to find the right source for the parts. Dealer markups are shameful. The actual parts cost isn't remotely close to what most dealers charge.


Looks like pricing has gone up on Partsouq, but even now it's still $1355 for a complete set, plus shipping. With a ~10-15 year lifespan, works out to about $125 per year for most rigs.

The huge repair estimate isn't a myth, but the cost of actual needed repairs is, I believe. Misdiagnosis, egregious dealer parts markups and intentional over-quoting is the real issue I think. Most dealers don't know how or don't want to mess with it so they quote it to the moon. When properly diagnosed and parts sourced from the most competitive genuine parts seller the AHC system is a lot less scary.
 
The huge repair estimate isn't a myth, but the cost of actual needed repairs is, I believe. Misdiagnosis, egregious dealer parts markups and intentional over-quoting is the real issue I think. Most dealers don't know how or don't want to mess with it so they quote it to the moon. When properly diagnosed and parts sourced from the most competitive genuine parts seller the AHC system is a lot less scary.

Even as one of those blasphemous heretics, that has removed AHC from a LX470, I'd mostly agree with this.
 
Keep a lookout in the classifieds and other suspension upgrade threads. Parts come up here and there. I lucked out and got a full replacement set globes/shocks and all for free from another member off his ~170k rig. My passenger front shock leaks but one of my globes is bad so will be replacing that sometime which should alleviate. The system still works fine at 278k miles. No history of other maintenance outside of fluid. Keep it.
 

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