Questions before flushing LX470 AHC fluid

[smoothcruiser]

Just purchased an 01 with a 140K miles a few weeks ago and it rides like a dream in various road conditions. To help ensure that it keeps doing so, I figure I should flush the AHC system since I don't know the last time it was cleaned out.

I've read a bunch of good info on here to support this project, including a simple step-by-step pointed out to me. The fluid reservoir steps seem straightforward enough. What I have not found is a useful schematic or diagram of under-body parts that need bleeding. Which parts, exactly, should be bled: actuators and/or accumulators, and/or globes?

By the way, what actor came up with the two terms, actuators and accumulators, in the same mechanical system?! Might as well throw in "accumen-haters" for the hell of it.

 

[smoothcruiser]

Okay, think I got it after clicking pdfs from this page: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ahc-fluid-change-how-to-need-input.438560/#post-6127524

Looks like I should bleed accumulators and then actuators. (Then I move on to the "actual taters.") Not so sure about globes.

 

[uHu]

Yes, lotsa good info in that thread. You've got 5 bleeders, 1 on the cylindrical accumulator, and one each on the 4 actuators. Each actuator has a globe attached to it (as can be seen in the pics) and is connected to the shock on that corner. (The globes are also a type of accumulator, but are often called globes or spheres or gas springs).

When bleeding at the actuators, you get some of the old fluid out of the globes and the shocks, but not all. It is good to let the truck drop all the way down while bleeding, to let the shock push out as much as possible of the fluid. And then bleed a bit again after a few miles (or days) of driving (or going a bit up and down), in order to get more of the (now diluted) old fluid out. Do not use the pump to go up and down continuosly for a long time, it might overheat.

 

[smoothcruiser]

Thanks, uHu. Fluid is scheduled to arrive at the local Toyota dealer in a few days.

 

[TriArcher]

I just took care of this yesterday and only ended up using one can of fluid. Pretty easy and the bleeding points are obvious when you get under the truck right along the frame rails. Hardest part was getting the a piece of hose to fit over the bleeder.

 

[mbusa1]

In emergencies can you top off the fluid if it seems low?

 

[PADDO]

In emergencies can you top off the fluid if it seems low?

Yes you can safely add AHC fluid to the reservoir at any time without bleeding. Its just a gravity feed holding tank for the pump. You can also be a bit generous and actually have your fluid level a bit higher than the max mark (when at N) because there is plenty of expansion room for the fluid when you drop to L.