LX470 suspension needs — which way to go? (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Sep 11, 2016
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68
Location
Portland, OR
Website
www.jonathancase.net
Okay, friends, it’s opinion time. My LX470 is at about 170k and the AHC suspension globes finally need help. Bouncy ride, accumulators seem to be at end of life. So now the question is, do I spend $3300 at a mechanic who will install new globes to keep the AHC system going, or spend a few hundred less and delete/replace the whole thing with a traditional suspension that the mechanic says will probably last the life of the truck (includes a 1.5” lift). I like the idea of simplicity and reliability. Is the delete/replace with traditional suspension the way to go if that’s my priority? I like the idea of retaining the vehicle’s standard functions, but that’s probably being more precious than practical. If I replace the globes, there’s likely still other maintenance items related to the AHC system that will need attention, and I don’t fully understand what those pieces are. I’ve done a fair bit of reading on Mud about this, but I’m no mechanic, so… give me your thoughts!
 
Globes can be had for $500 and probably replaced for about $500. So for $1K you can have a great suspension! Do some searching on here, a lot of good info.

Buy the globes from Japan or eBay and find a new mechanic.
 
Buy them from Dave Stedman at Japan4x4 and replace them yourself. It's easier than replacing the shocks.

No way I'd give up the AHC. Unless you're building a rock crawler, you'll regret it if you do. And if you're building a rock crawler, the LX470 is not the place to start.
 
Replacing the globes and fluid requires no more mechanical skill than changing a tire. It really is a one - two hour job. Don't spend twice as much replacing an excellent system.
 
Keep AHC...fix AHC... DRIVE AHC!!! No way it should cost 3300.00... I don't believe a dealer would charge that much!
 
Well, sounds like I have a project ahead, then. I can change a tire, so… :) Anyone in Oregon done this that can give me guidance if I get in over my head? I’ve asked 4 different mechanics about doing the job — one who specializes in Land Cruisers, and none of them except this latest one (the $3300 quote) will take it on.
 
Good work.

You'll need:
A 2.5 litre can of AHC fluid
10mm spanner to bleed the globes
36mm spanner to remove/replace the globes (aka Ford clutch fan)
A turkey baster (or other fluid extractor) to empty the AHC reservoir.

PADDO's excellent guide:

 
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Have no fear, it really is straight forward. Do apply pb blaster or the like on the bleeders and globes day or hours before if you have any corrosion down there. I would say 2.5L of fluid would be tight. I ended up using 3L or just over when I did this last fall.
 
Amazing. Thanks for the encouragement, guys, and the detailed info. I’ve just watched a couple video walkthroughs on YouTube as well, and it seems doable.

My next question is, are there other parts of the suspension that would need attention while I’m doing this? The report from the mechanic says: “STRUTS WORN. DUE TO AHC SYSTEM, WHOLE SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED/REPLACED WITH CONVENTIONAL SUSPENSION.” (This is before they understood that I wanted to replace the globes). It also says that the bushings on the front and rear sway bars are cracking.

I assume “struts worn” refers to the accumulators, but is there more that could need replacing here? Sorry, I’m a complete novice when it comes to vehicle anatomy.
 
Well, sounds like I have a project ahead, then. I can change a tire, so… :) Anyone in Oregon done this that can give me guidance if I get in over my head? I’ve asked 4 different mechanics about doing the job — one who specializes in Land Cruisers, and none of them except this latest one (the $3300 quote) will take it on.

AHC's biggest problem is mechanics that don't understand it.

Amazing. Thanks for the encouragement, guys, and the detailed info. I’ve just watched a couple video walkthroughs on YouTube as well, and it seems doable.

My next question is, are there other parts of the suspension that would need attention while I’m doing this? The report from the mechanic says: “STRUTS WORN. DUE TO AHC SYSTEM, WHOLE SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED/REPLACED WITH CONVENTIONAL SUSPENSION.” (This is before they understood that I wanted to replace the globes). It also says that the bushings on the front and rear sway bars are cracking.

I assume “struts worn” refers to the accumulators, but is there more that could need replacing here? Sorry, I’m a complete novice when it comes to vehicle anatomy.

That mechanic doesn't know how AHC works. Not necessarily their fault, but that statement screams someone that just doesn't want to touch a system they don't know.

The struts are actually rams. The "shock absorber" is the globe on each corner. The rams are essentially lifetime components. They can fail, but that's pretty rare.

The globes are the wear component. Replacement is relatively simple and fast.

Bushings on the sway bars is not related to AHC. I'm sure they're worn - they normally are regardless of AHC or traditional.

Replace the globes as a first shot. It's relatively cheap and easy. That's commonly the only thing AHC needs, aside from a little adjustment on the front T-bars.
 
Re: sway bar bushings. You can do them while you’re in there or later and that’s all very easy to do.

The other posts have answered the pertinent AHC questions. I too prefer a perfect working ahc over steel for my vehicle that will rarely see off-road duty, or any off-road that would require something more.

One question. Is your AHC system or are the hydraulic lines rusty?
 
Maybe i missed this but when was the last time that the AHC system was flushed/bled? Whats the MY? I have 215k on a 2006 w/ stock globes and she is still butter, but I bled and flushed at 200k. Before that 155k
One question. Is your AHC system or are the hydraulic lines rusty?
Only reason I would get rid of AHC is if the hydraulic lines rusted out in multiple spots, but I haven’t seen that on here or in real life haha
 
AHC was bled/replaced at about 135k, so 35k ago… I’m not sure about rust, but I don’t think so. That didn’t come up on the most recent exam, anyway. I’m in Oregon, so no road salt to speak of.
 
Do the right thing, Jonathan.

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Well… I priced out the cost of ordering accumulators and fluid, have them ready to order, and purchased a set of jacks and ramps to help elevate the rig to do this job. BUT — I spoke to the mechanic today about getting my rig back, and there’s apparently an additional issue they’ve found. He tells me my truck’s ABS system is giving multiple faults (no lights on yet), and that the master pump is not keeping pressure, nor is the accumulator creating pressure. Some brief reading tells me that this system weakens over time, and also that repairing/replacing it is very expensive — and best left to a pro mechanic.

I don’t have a quote from him on this other repair yet, but I can only imagine it’ll be enormous, given his estimate for $3300 to do the globes.

Feeling a bit daunted.

Anyone dealt with ABS master pump and accumulator failure? The truck doesn’t currently have trouble stopping, but I also don’t want to haul my kids around in something where the brakes may fail. Oy.
 
I would ask to see in person just what he is referring too... but I am a skeptic...
 
The failure he’s describing is accompanied by a loud squeal and warning lights. If it is the problem, changing the brake master is one of the easier DIY jobs, but many folks are scared because its brakes, and apparently they have mystery voodoo in the lines.
 

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