Rear Coil Spring Identification.

[Amazo]

Hi all.

I suspected I needed new coils on the rear of my 2004 LC 4.2TD with AHC.

I have used the Techstream software this morning and my neutral pressures are rather high (8.5 front 7.5 rear) so my suspicions would seem correct.

My problem is the identification of the rear springs as there are 2 types used on the AHC models. There is a purple band and a pink band. Attached is a picture of one of my springs which is neither pink nor purple, just somewhere in between. I'm fairly certain these are the original springs. My local Toyota main dealer is unable to tell me which spring mine should have. Just that it would be one or the other!

If anyone has experience of these springs and could tell me if mine are purple or pink, that would be most useful.

My only other option would be to take the springs out and measure them up as the pink and purple ones are different lengths. The problem with that is that i don't know how much have mine sagged in 13 years of use?

Any info would be great.

Thanks,
Amazo.

 

[LBridges]

I have a 2000 LX470 (uses AHC) and there are two different length springs from the factory. So my guess is if you want to replace you will need one of each. Long one goes on the left side (driver's side for US models), but you probably need to check assuming yours is a RHD.

 

[Amazo]

I have a 2000 LX470 (uses AHC) and there are two different length springs from the factory. So my guess is if you want to replace you will need one of each. Long one goes on the left side (driver's side for US models), but you probably need to check assuming yours is a RHD.

Thanks for your quick reply.

I can see what you are saying about the 2 different lengths for nearside and offside, but the difference between pink and purple band springs is quite substantial. Either just over or just under an inch from memory.

Also, I'm 99% sure mine has the original springs and they both have the same colour marking.

Why oh why did Toyota use this "in between" colour as an identifier?!!

 

[PADDO]

@Amazo if you search the key word "pink" by @uHu you'll get lots of good info on the several EU AHC coils options, accurate info that you can take to the bank. Don't forget that your pressures need to be read in context of your actual vehicle height, remembering that extra weight and/or extra height (over stock N height) equates to higher pressures, in the absence of corrective action and adjustment. But no doubt you're in need of some torsion bar turning for the front and don't discount just adding 30 or 40mm coil spacers to the rear to get its pressure down to where it needs to be.

 

[Amazo]

@Amazo if you search the key word "pink" by @uHu you'll get lots of good info on the several EU AHC coils options, accurate info that you can take to the bank. Don't forget that your pressures need to be read in context of your actual vehicle height, remembering that extra weight and/or extra height (over stock N height) equates to higher pressures, in the absence of corrective action and adjustment. But no doubt you're in need of some torsion bar turning for the front and don't discount just adding 30 or 40mm coil spacers to the rear to get its pressure down to where it needs to be.

Hi Paddo.

Thanks for your reply.

Everything is bog standard. Standard ride height and no extra weight at all.

I did the search you suggested and came up with the "good info", but all its done is to leave me more confused.

It seems the concensus is that there should be a different colour each side of the vehicle. Unfortunately that doesn't fit with my vehicle which almost certainly has the original springs. It's only had 1 owner before me and I have the full Toyota service history up until April this year. There is no mention of the rear springs being changed and I most definitely have the same colour blob of paint on both springs. I've attached a picture of the other spring so you can see what I mean.

I guess all I really would like to know is what that colour actually is. Is it pink or is it purple? Does anyone have a picture of a pink band or purple band spring to compare to mine?

So answers on a postcard please, is my spring pink or purple?

 

[PADDO]

I believe I've read @uHu state that pink is OE for EU vehicles. For NA vehicles OE have yellow and green paint (at least my originals did and replacements I've ordered) and aren't the same coils as EU. Petrol, Diesel, LH or RH drive and regional markets are factors so best to read up on uHu's EU diesel centric coil posts. Or just stick spacers on top of the existing coils.

 

[Amazo]

I'm starting to like the idea of spacers. Are they a permanent fix or just a stop gap? I'm guessing they'll be much cheaper than new springs.
I'll have a look around on the Web today to see if I can find some in the UK. I'm sure there will be some available.

I'll also take another look at uhu's posts to see what else I can learn.

Thanks.

 

[camino70]

I'm with lbridges. When I replaced my 98 us LX springs, they were two different part numbers and different shades of green.

I replaced the springs with oem first, I didn't see much pressure change, then added spacers with about the same small change as the springs. I wish I considered aftermarket springs instead.

 

[Amazo]

Hi Camino.

Thanks for your reply.

The purple ones available at Toyota have different part numbers, possibly one for left and one for right placement. However, they are both purple. Same scenario for the pink ones they sell.

Roughtrax sell a purple equivalent in the UK and in their advert they state that they are definitely not suitable for ahc cars that were originally fitted with the pink springs.

I cannot imagine why Toyota fitted different colours and lengths of springs for the same car at the same time in the same country! What were they thinking?

Hence me wanting to know the colour of that blob of paint in the picture of my spring. Is it a pink blob or a pale purple blob? That's my dilemma.

 

[PADDO]

I'm starting to like the idea of spacers. Are they a permanent fix or just a stop gap? I'm guessing they'll be much cheaper than new springs.
I'll have a look around on the Web today to see if I can find some in the UK. I'm sure there will be some available.

I'll also take another look at uhu's posts to see what else I can learn.

Thanks.

I'd call the thicker spacers, 30mm or 40mm, a permanent fit. The thinner trim packers, 5mm or 10mm, seem less robust and physically stable then the thicker "lifting" spacers. I've fitted 10mm and 30mm and found the 10s to compress slightly, albeit they all seem to be universally made from polyurethane. Was just in Aus. and a few vendors are selling 40mm spacers that are quite inexpensive. Note the 80/450 series rear coil (not front) and 100/470/Amazon coil spacers are interchangeable.
Are yours pink or purple? nothing here (in North America) to compare so can't help there. Notwithstanding, get your front pressures down to optimum and you'll see a slight drop in the rear pressure too. And the proper rear pressure measuring technique is to disconnect the temp sensor, as per the FSM fine print. It makes a difference to some.
Edit: shoot a message to @Julian Stead as he's been in the game a long time, is somewhat local to you and might be able to add some value to the vagaries of ambiguous colour codes.

 

[jerryb]

toyotas definition of pink and purple, (violet) in the wiring game. Ambiguous at best.

 

[Amazo]

Thanks for all that extra info Paddo. Definitely going to investigate the spacers.

I'll adjust the TBs at the front as you suggested, hopefully they're not too tired.

When you say to disconnect the temp sensor to measure the rear pressure, are we talking engine temp sensor or is there another one? Excuse my ignorance, I'm only a few weeks into ownership.

I'll also pop a message over to Julian. I assume it's not the same Julian as the one from Overland Cruisers based in the UK? Was browsing his website today.

Jerryb,
I see you've understood my point exactly! :-D

 

[PADDO]

There's a temp sensor for the AHC system, it's mounted on the pump body assembly below the fluid reservoir. Of the three connectors going to the motor/pump the temp sensor is the one closest to the firewall, the pressure sensor is in the center and motor power harness is the forward one. I'll locate a .pdf extract from the fsm that covers the process.
Different Julian's I believe.

 

[Amazo]

Thanks for that Paddo. I'll pull that connector and run the diagnostics again.

Once I've confirmed the neutral pressures I will crank up the TBs to try and adjust the front which is currently showing 8.5mpa on normal ride height and 10.5mpa on the high setting.

 

[PADDO]

Here's the doc (verbatim 3rd party copy of the FSM) you need to follow, step 6 in particular.
Just need the L to N pressures, N to H aren't utilized.

 

[2001LC]

FWIW: Here a set of coil spring I just got in. Shorter thinner is for PS, has purple paint.

 

[Amazo]

Thanks for that pdf Paddo. Makes it very clear. I will check it all again but with "the knowledge" this time.

2001LC
Thanks for posting that picture.
Are those genuine Toyota springs? The purple is definitely darker than mine.

Gary.

 

[2001LC]

Thanks for that pdf Paddo. Makes it very clear. I will check it all again but with "the knowledge" this time.

2001LC
Thanks for posting that picture.
Are those genuine Toyota springs? The purple is definitely darker than mine.

Gary.

Yes, just received them from Toyota Dealer with Toyota markings on tags. Look just like set I bought two months ago from different Toyota Dealer.

 

[Amazo]

Thanks 2001LC, that's a great help. Starting to look like mine are pink, despite being lilac which is in the purple family!

I misunderstood "PS" in your first post thinking you meant pneumatic suspension :-D

After reading again and seeing you've said the springs are a set, I now realise you're saying "passenger side", silly me!

It's been said on here a few times that some were fitted with different rate springs each side and others had the same each side, mine are the same, so whichever colour I plump for I'll keep them the same.

I've also read that these vehicles are heavier on the left. So anywhere that uses left hand drive could possibly need that extra strong spring to counteract the extra car weight + driver. In the UK the driver, and tge steering gear being moved over would possibly counteract that weight. Who knows?

 

[Amazo]

There's a temp sensor for the AHC system, it's mounted on the pump body assembly below the fluid reservoir. Of the three connectors going to the motor/pump the temp sensor is the one closest to the firewall, the pressure sensor is in the center and motor power harness is the forward one. I'll locate a .pdf extract from the fsm that covers the process.
Different Julian's I believe.

Paddo, I've pulled that plug nearest the firewall but all it has done is to switch the ahc off so I cannot raise or lower the suspension. Its flashing "OFF" on the dash. Is there a possibilty that the temp sensor is the front plug furthest from the firewall? Piccy attached.