Opinions welcome on possible leaking shocks?????

[ronnunan]

Two shops, two different opinions. Attached are pics. 07LX with dark drivers side shocks that appear to maybe have been leaking but no fluid noticed. Passenger side looks normal.
Are there looking like they were leaking or just a different shade? Ride feels normal.

 

[whitec13]

Those aren’t leaking. There is a process called misting which is a small amount of hydro fluid expelled from the cylinder due to evaporation caused by friction. There are a couple of videos on YouTube from manufacturers that explain this process better. If there is no significant sign of fluid or pooling underneath, there’s likely no leak.

 

[medtro]

Do you have AHC?

 

[suprarx7nut]

Those aren’t leaking. There is a process called misting which is a small amount of hydro fluid expelled from the cylinder due to evaporation caused by friction. There are a couple of videos on YouTube from manufacturers that explain this process better. If there is no significant sign of fluid or pooling underneath, there’s likely no leak.

Additionally, AHC shocks are specifically allowed to weep more than normal shocks. Unlike a traditional shock, the AHC "shock" is basically just a hydraulic ram with a pump in the system continually ensuring the ram is pressurized. In a normal shock, you lose a little gas and it begins to fail. On an AHC ram/shock, it's not an issue until much more of the seal has failed and you're dripping oil.

 

[uHu]

How is the AHC pressure? If the pressure is high over time, there will be a bit of sweating.

 

[newbielx470]

It's not a leak or of much concern, but sadly, most shops even Lexus dealers falsely claim it's a "bad leak" and would recommend either removing AHC or at least replacing the "leaky" shock

You can almost use it as a test to see if a mechanic is honest and knowledgeable about Hundys.

 

[ronnunan]

Do you have AHC?

Yes

 

[Mike NXP]

With no rideability issues and looking at this pics, my vote is for everything is totally fine but then again I don't know much about AHC.


Are your 15+ year old shocks worn out a little? Probably but no need to lose sleep over it...yet.

 

[ronnunan]

Thanks for all the input everyone. From the forum and asking around the consensus they’re fine. Under 80k miles and no issues with driveability and rides great. Thanks for the input!

 

[Mike NXP]

Very envious of the lack of mileage and rust on your vehicle. Now drive that darn thing it wants to go!

 

[GTV]

Thanks for all the input everyone. From the forum and asking around the consensus they’re fine. Under 80k miles and no issues with driveability and rides great. Thanks for the input!

Correct your pressures, the leak is an indication of that.

 

[ronnunan]

Correct your pressures, the leak is an indication of that.

How’s that done exactly? Any shop?

 

[medtro]

Yes

I would check the AHC pressures and correct them accordingly. That will keep your "shocks" dry for a long time.

 

[ronnunan]

How do you check the pressures?

I would check the AHC pressures and correct them accordingly. That will keep your "shocks" dry for a long time

 

[medtro]

How do you check the pressures?

See first post.

The ABCs of AHC - How to Measure, Flush, and Adjust all in one place

I initially put this in the Definitive list of AHC maintenance items thread, but at almost 800 posts long and growing, it's going to get buried and the thread itself is very unwieldy. In an attempt to make as focused a summary as possible, I present "The ABCs of AHC." It's intended as a...

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