Non-KDSS lean? Rear left side sags and handling is off

[blakecp29]

Hi Everyone!

I just picked up a 2004 GX470 with 48,000 miles. Thing has been garaged and under a cover it’s entire life - never seen dirt or snow. It’s perfect in every way except one…a noticeable lean at the rear left! I know this topic has been discussed a lot, but being non-KDSS I couldn’t find a lot of info for my exact situation.

Symptoms:
1) rear left (driver side) sag - only about 10-15mm but you can see it from the rear when parked on a level surface. I’ve read 10mm isn’t too much, but with it being visibly noticeable and symptom 2 I feel maybe something is wrong.

2) at times when going over 40 mph (and more so as you approach 60 mph) the car wants to pull left. Also if you hit a bump going fast it feels like the car doesn’t react correctly - it’s kind of bouncy but you can also feel movement side to side so it’s odd.

I’ve researched high and low, and have narrowed it down to most likely a bad ride height sensor. However, through all modes the sag remains static, i.e. the rear left air suspension still functions properly, it just has a sag to it. So not sure if symptom 1 and 2 are related or not, hoping you guys can provide some insight.

For fixes (if a bad height sensor is my problem), should I try adjusting the sensor bracket using the slotted hole? And if that doesn’t raise it enough, then adjust the linkage? Or do I just replace the sensor from the start?

 

[blakecp29]

Pics

 

[Jstawgn]

Airbag are like tire. It would dry rot and leak. It's 17 years old. Replace it with fresh one to prevent more issues down the road. Mileage does not matter at this time.

 

[blakecp29]

Airbag are like tire. It would dry rot and leak. It's 17 years old. Replace it with fresh one to prevent more issues down the road. Mileage does not matter at this time.

It raises and lowers properly, just always 10mm lower. Wouldn’t a leak mean it wouldn’t inflate at all?

 

[Jstawgn]

It raises and lowers properly, just always 10mm lower. Wouldn’t a leak mean it wouldn’t inflate at all?

The height sensor are separate left and right. You might need to adjust that sensor.

 

[Jerry Attric]

No sage advice on the sag but that is a sweet find! If it were mine I would replace the bags and timing belt due to age.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

The height sensor are separate left and right. You might need to adjust that sensor.

Yeah look for the sensors under the rig. You can use washers to lower the sensor 5mm to get an increase of 10mm on the air bag. I think it’s a 2:1 ratio.

Try this easy fix to see if it solves the problem for you.

 

[blakecp29]

Yeah look for the sensors under the rig. You can use washers to lower the sensor 5mm to get an increase of 10mm on the air bag. I think it’s a 2:1 ratio.

Try this easy fix to see if it solves the problem for you.

Will do! Do you think this is the cause of the poor handling at times? Especially when cornering to the right, you feel body roll. Cornering to the left feels great though. Seems like sway bars have pre-tension and on left turns have to unload before the anti-roll effect kicks in. I read that is what happens with KDSS though (since it has to do with the sway bars) but that’s the same symptom I’m having with non-KDSS. So I’m hoping the lean is causing some sort of similar phenomenon and I don’t have 2 problems to deal with.

Or it could be the tires. I’ll start with trying to get it leveled out and then play with tires if it’s still driving funny.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

You said the GX470 had been sitting in a garage covered for years. All rubber components like tires, bushings, belts, etc need to be inspected.

Bushings are in the shocks, sway bars, end links, control arms, etc. So, if one or more bushing has gotten hard and brittle, then you might experience some driving issues.

I don’t have experience purchasing a pristine car that’s been sitting for years, but I would consider baselining fluids, tires, and belts (drive belt and timing belt).