lx570 rear shocks leaking?

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L

lxid

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Apr 21, 2017
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idaho
Had new tires put on this week. Installer seemed to think the rear shocks were leaking. Didn't get anymore info since I figured I would look at it later.

I haven't pulled the tires, but crawled under a few times and I don't see any obvious leaking. Not sure what he was seeing to come to that conclusion.

Any ideas what the lifespan of the shocks are and how difficult is it to replace? Truck has almost 130k on it, drives great and I would have never guessed a suspension issue.
 
I think read on here that there is an additional AC compressor in the rear of the vehicle. Since reading that I have noticed dripping from the rear left of the vehicle after driving it for a bit while using the AC. Maybe he was seeing that???
 
1. If your shocks are leaking, you'll see it on the shock. It used to be a well known dodge in "full service" gas stations (back when such things existed) for an attendant to squirt a couple of drop of oil from a turkey baster under the shock mount to convince naive owners they desperately needed new shocks.
2. According to most manufacturers, 40k is the design life, and if you get 60k, you're the outlier.

Having said that, my 95 80 series has 230k on it and my 08 LX 570 has 105k on it, and they are both long over that "limit". I will say that my 94 80 series rides much better than its stablemate, and it has new shocks. I need to replace the shocks on both the others, it just hasn't been a priority.
 
The LX570 shocks are not shocks in the traditional sense. They are simple monotube hydraulic pistons. All the valving components are external to the "shock" body. So they do not wear in the traditional sense.

The only wear/failure mode for these is leaks. Pretty darn rare and they are known to easily surpass 200k miles, even on the LX470 platform. If they are leaking, you can change the offending shock without having to address them in pairs. They are relatively cheap as the complexity is in the other AHC components.

They have a shield over the piston part. But if there's any dripping of oil down the body of the shock, then it would be an indication of a leak. You can also check the AHC reservoir as the level will go down over time. The system has a ton of fluid capacity so it might go down pretty darn slow even with a leak.

As a aside, AHC is one of the few suspension systems that can be refreshed onboard (rather than changing out a traditional shock when damping is worn). It can and should be flushed (with Toyota AHC fluid only!!) at service intervals.
 
Great information thank you. I don't see anything that indicates to me leaking at the bottom part that protrudes from the shielding. I was thinking maybe they saw something from the top that I can't see without pulling the tires. With the shielding it might be hard to see a minor leak. I noticed the parts are only $50, but looks pretty crusty removing the old ones.

I bought it from a toyota dealer and asked to have the AHC flushed. They had no idea idea how to do it. They called the lexus dealer closest to me and they seemed to think it wasn't serviceable. Strange considering its in the manual to be flushed at 120k. They ended up knocking off $300 off the price and told me to bring it to a lexus dealer. Haven't made it there yet to have it done.
 
Where in Idaho are you? I am almost at 90K on mine and no leaks, but given the 120k flush, I would be interested in hearing which dealers you worked with.
 
North Idaho so dealing with larry miller lexus out of spokane. I am hoping once I bring it in someone knows how to flush it.

Toyota was in Kalispell, they claimed to be the top seller of land cruisers in the US. Had a number of new ones on the lot and said they rarely get traded back in. Seemed like a decent dealer just didn't have any experience with the AHC.
 
Yeah, in the States AHC is solely a Lexus thing.
 
AHC might as well be alien, especially to the Toyota dealerships. I once ordered AHC fluid for my LX470 from the Toyota wholesale parts department and they thought I was crazy. Even had me talk to the head technician. I said just order it with this part number. They didn't have anything to say when it came in.

In time as 100-series LX's and LC's (which had AHC in the later years) came to need their flush, they've seen some. But still not many when you consider how many are in the field, and how long the flush intervals are.

I'd bring it only to a Lexus dealer. And even then, make sure they're familiar with the system and will ONLY put AHC fluid in. Some have had their systems destroyed by techs putting brake fluid in.
 
TeCKis300 said:
The LX570 shocks are not shocks in the traditional sense. They are simple monotube hydraulic pistons. All the valving components are external to the "shock" body. So they do not wear in the traditional sense.

The only wear/failure mode for these is leaks. Pretty darn rare and they are known to easily surpass 200k miles, even on the LX470 platform. If they are leaking, you can change the offending shock without having to address them in pairs. They are relatively cheap as the complexity is in the other AHC components.

They have a shield over the piston part. But if there's any dripping of oil down the body of the shock, then it would be an indication of a leak. You can also check the AHC reservoir as the level will go down over time. The system has a ton of fluid capacity so it might go down pretty darn slow even with a leak.

As a aside, AHC is one of the few suspension systems that can be refreshed onboard (rather than changing out a traditional shock when damping is worn). It can and should be flushed (with Toyota AHC fluid only!!) at service intervals.
Click to expand...

has anyone successfully changed a shock? I've got leaks, all appear to be slow but dealer replacement is like 2500 bucks. Do you know if you have to drain the fluid?
 
I haven't replaced mine as I can't find evidence of it leaking. Crazy it will cost so much to replace with the price of the part being pretty minimal.

It does appear you have to open the bleeder on the AHC accumulator before you remove it.
 
I personally haven't changed one. The shocks should be relatively cheap as the 100-series once were less than $100. Changing it is like any other hydraulic system, e.g. brakes, clutch. Swap and bleed. Should be cake to do. Probably <2hrs labor.
 
Looks like you just need to release the pressure, not fully drain

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While you're at it, take the opportunity to also do an AHC fluid flush.
 
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Fluid flush was not hard on my 470 and it was filthy. I'll probably tackle this on the 570 soon if it is as easy as it was on the 100.

Also, it is stated earlier in this thread that AHC is Lexus exclusive in the states and while that is true for the 200 for now; later years of the 100 had plenty of Toyota's with AHC. It's harder to find an '07 100 without AHC than with AHC. Toyota dealers should have experience with AHC on 100's by now. A Lexus dealer that is not familiar with AHC is an even sadder thought.
 
Reviving this thread as it appears I have some leaking. Passenger side rear is leaking for sure. Was planning on having it replaced soon. After doing some spring checkups it looks like my driver's side front it also leaking. I have about 135k on it at this point. I guess the best option is to have them all replaced. Pics of front:

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I wouldn't say thats leaking man. I've had Bilstein coilovers that have weeped that bit of oil and they were still A-ok, even sent in pics to Bilstein and they said its normal. From what I'm seeing, nothing is wrong.
 
Can't completely make it out in the pics but that looks incredibly minor if it's a leak? More a smear?

The system can still perform well as it has a huge reserve of fluid. Unlike a traditional shock, it will replenish any fluid loss as the system constantly manages fluid volume for load and height.
 
I wiped with my finger and that's what your seeing in the picture. The dirt was relatively fresh and that middle part was darkened as you can see and it was quite oily to the touch. The passenger side front had no residue like this just covered in dirt. Maybe it's not bad enough to worry about?
 
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