New Shocks - Settle time? (1 Viewer)

[texaswakerep]

Hey guys -

Installed Bilsteins front and back on my 13 LC200 several weeks ago and the truck still hasn't settled. My right rear is just over half an inch higher than the left rear. You can tell just by looking at the truck from the rear.

I was waiting for it to settle before I got an alignment. How long should I expect it to take to settle? I'm assuming I should wait until then to have the alignment done?

Thanks for the help.

 

[elkaholic]

The shocks themselves should not cause any height issues ... unless you changed springs as well. It is conceivable that the KDSS somehow got messed up in the process. You may need to have it (the KDSS) "adjusted" by the dealer or a shop that knows what they are doing.

 

[huntgfish]

I had shocks upgraded last month. I had it aligned a couple of days after, which greatly improved the ride of course. My shocks settled in a week and a half. After driving 1500 miles with back to back trips out of state in two weeks, I brought it back to be realigned today (no charge). The tech showed me how much difference it had moved out of alignment with those miles put on after the upgrade and initial alignment. So tires rotated and front end realigned, good to go for now. Hope it helps. My .02

 

[Billfish]

I'd agree there's a good chance the KDSS system needs to be re-balanced after shock replacement (Toyota desrcibe this as being "re-calibrated".) In order to fit the shocks you need to allow the KDSS system to 'relax' and this is done by opening two shutter valves that lets fluid move freely within a closed system.

BUT BE CAREFUL!. Recalibrating the system is not the same as repressurising the system. You only need to repressurise the system if the system has been opened to atmosphere and air has got in or fluid leaked out.

3 - 3.5 anti-clockwise 360 degree turns ONLY on the 2 lower equalizer shutter valves to allow the rig to balance side to side, then tighten up again. Anymore than 3.5 turns and you open the system to atmosphere and then you really will have a problem...Houston.

It's a very simple quick procedure that you can do at home and specifically needs to be done with the truck sitting down hard on a level surface - not up on a hoist. The 'How To' is posted here in a dozen posts if you do a search.

 

[texaswakerep]

Sounds like I need a KDSS recalibration. I just looked up the procedure on the GSIC. Printing instructions now. I may just run it over to the Toyota dealership. I will need to stress the importance of not opening system all the way (or they will be paying for the work). What should I expect to pay for a KDSS recalibration?

The next challenge will be finding an alignment shop that I trust to do a good job.

 

[Billfish]

If you can tie you own shoe laces you can recalibrate your own KDSS system. All you need is a 5mm allen key. You do not need to remove the KDSS valve housing as described in instructions. Get down on your back and slide under the car just in front of the rear drivers side wheel and look up inside the chassis frame. If you follow the KDSS fluid lines you will find the two equaliser shutter valves. There is a small cut out in the housing that allows you to insert the allen keys into the botton of eack of the two valves. Turn each 3.5 full turns. Make a note where you start so you know where to stop. Once both are opened 3.5 turns get up and bounce the car a bit to encourage it to level itself.
(btw: its best if the car is not too full with fuel and that its not loaded up.)

If you have time leave it to sit for a while -overnight even. Then get back under and close them up tight again. Its as simple as that. You owe it to youself to at least try doing it for yourself. Otherwise you need to hand in your man badge and you probably should have bought an LX.

Good luck.

 

[texaswakerep]

If you can tie you own shoe laces you can recalibrate your own KDSS system. All you need is a 5mm allen key. You do not need to remove the KDSS valve housing as described in instructions. Get down on your back and slide under the car just in front of the rear drivers side wheel and look up inside the chassis frame. If you follow the KDSS fluid lines you will find the two equaliser shutter valves. There is a small cut out in the housing that allows you to insert the allen keys into the botton of eack of the two valves. Turn each 3.5 full turns. Make a note where you start so you know where to stop. Once both are opened 3.5 turns get up and bounce the car a bit to encourage it to level itself.
(btw: its best if the car is not too full with fuel and that its not loaded up.)

If you have time leave it to sit for a while -overnight even. Then get back under and close them up tight again. Its as simple as that. You owe it to youself to at least try doing it for yourself. Otherwise you need to hand in your man badge and you probably should have bought an LX.

Good luck.

Just as you stated Billfish, easy peasy. Looks to have fixed the problem. Going to have an alignment done this week and I should be back in business. Thanks for all the help!

 

[arich]

I don't get why you'd have to recalibrate your KDSS after a shock change. If you don't open the system while changing the shocks why would it need a readjustment.
I changed my shocks without opening the system. Besides having one corner higher than the other what are the symptoms for needing recalibration?

 

[LCKID]

gents,

I'd appreciate a little of your advice on the following:

I've finally measured my vehicle height and have the following results. I now had them on for 3 months and 3'700 miles, therefore presume the have more than "settled-in"

Centre cap to bottom of wheel arch:
Front Left: 20.5" Front Right: 21"
Rear Left: 21.5" Rear Right: 22"

any thoughts of what could be the cause?

 

[chimyz]

gents, I'd appreciate a little of your advice on the following: I've finally measured my vehicle height and have the following results. I now had them on for 3 months and 3'700 miles, therefore presume the have more than "settled-in" Centre cap to bottom of wheel arch: Front Left: 20.5" Front Right: 21" Rear Left: 21.5" Rear Right: 22" any thoughts of what could be the cause?

What type of suspension?
Doesn't seem too off or bad. Half inch here and there isn't much.

 

[LCKID]

i've got radflo coil overs in front and also radflos for the rear. TC UCA's as well. it's an exact .5" both front and rear on one side, coincidence?

 

[Billfish]

1/2 and inch?? Looks like you are talking about only 10mm or so. That's well within normal bias even for factory stock. I dont think you have a problem but if it really bothers you and you have tried the recalibration procedure then why not spin up the preload on the front left coilover by about 5mm and you should be sweet.

 

[LCKID]

1/2 and inch?? Looks like you are talking about only 10mm or so. That's well within normal bias even for factory stock. I dont think you have a problem but if it really bothers you and you have tried the recalibration procedure then why not spin up the preload on the front left coilover by about 5mm and you should be sweet.

thanks billfish,

0.5" is 12mm exactly; i was already contemplating adjusting the front shock when i have my Toyo AT II's mounted next week.

i have not yet re-calibrated the KDSS.

thanks a lot

 

[LCKID]

ok, i've opened the KDSS valves, rocked my LC side-to-side, closed them. still sitting exactly the same as before

guess it times to "fine-tune" the front-left Radflo by dialing her up 2 truns.....