Replaced the globes on my 2005 LX470, ride is harsher than ever

[WannaCruise]

Hello all, I'm stumped... My 150k mile LX470 had a relatively harsh ride when I bought it 2 years ago, and after following the guides I pulled the trigger on 4 new Toyota globed because I only had 3-4 gradients of AHC fluid between High and Low. After changing, I'm up getting 11-12 gradients (9 on high, 11 or 12 on Normal, 20 on low), but the ride is HARSH. every crack in the pavement seems to transmit through.

I thoroughly bled the system (I used the entire 2.5L can) and the globes bled fine, but I got very little out of the hydraulic accumulator. Is it possible that it is defective and could cause this issue?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jsloden]

Do you have techstream so you can check the pressures? Someone might have cranked the torsion bars trying to compensate for weak globes. I would do this and bleed the system again. Just catch any fluid you get out. If it's clean you can re-use it.

 

[94SRUNNER]

You definitely need TechStream to properly diagnose this.

 

[riffman12]

Do you have techstream so you can check the pressures? Someone might have cranked the torsion bars trying to compensate for weak globes. I would do this and bleed the system again. Just catch any fluid you get out. If it's clean you can re-use it.

this. I would assume people kept turning the torsion bars to try and counteract the failing globes so now you have very stiff mechanical spring rate.

 

[WannaCruise]

I have a couple cables to try, but I haven't found a sacrificial laptop to load the likely Spyware laden versions of techstream that I have... Working on that tomorrow...

 

[WannaCruise]

this. I would assume people kept turning the torsion bars to try and counteract the failing globes so now you have very stiff mechanical spring rate.

I would tend to agree, but I bought from the 2nd owner who put 100k of the miles on it and he had 100% of the work done at Lexus dealership. There was no reference to any AHC work, and the fluid was pretty nasty, likely original, so I would assume nothing had been done.

That being said, I should never assume anything, right...

 

[MechE30]

In the absence of Techstream I would check your ride heights, I believe it’s 19.5” stock in the front, 20.25” rear. Adjust torsion bars to try and get those neutral heights. Hopefully that helps.

 

[94SRUNNER]

You may try cross posting in one of the Cruiser clubs local to you to see if anyone has TechStream that you could borrow or they could assist?

 

[LJE]

I think I'm in a pretty similar place too with my AHC - definitely flowing this thread. My pressures are great, globes are brand new, fluid is fresh. Feel every single little bump.

 

[WannaCruise]

In the absence of Techstream I would check your ride heights, I believe it’s 19.5” stock in the front, 20.25” rear. Adjust torsion bars to try and get those neutral heights. Hopefully that helps.

I'm right at those heights... 19.25" at front, 20.5" at back. I'd say my measuring could account for the other 1/4"...

 

[MechE30]

I'm right at those heights... 19.25" at front, 20.5" at back. I'd say my measuring could account for the other 1/4"...

Roger that. Again in the absence of Techstream next I’d put the ride height sensors in the middle of the range (it’s a 10mm wrench and socket I believe). If your sensor looks like it’s at the very top or bottom of its adjustment range that could be a big indicator.

 

[cruisin4bruisins]

Hello all, I'm stumped... My 150k mile LX470 had a relatively harsh ride when I bought it 2 years ago, and after following the guides I pulled the trigger on 4 new Toyota globed because I only had 3-4 gradients of AHC fluid between High and Low. After changing, I'm up getting 11-12 gradients (9 on high, 11 or 12 on Normal, 20 on low), but the ride is HARSH. every crack in the pavement seems to transmit through.

I thoroughly bled the system (I used the entire 2.5L can) and the globes bled fine, but I got very little out of the hydraulic accumulator. Is it possible that it is defective and could cause this issue?

Thanks in advance.

im like 99.9999% certain your torsion bars are cranked out the wazoo lol

 

[FxFormat]

You need to get a scanner that can read AHC pressure, that'll tell you what's going on. Mine is sitting at 6mpa rear 6.5 mpa front and it rides like a cloud.

 

[MechE30]

im like 99.9999% certain your torsion bars are cranked out the wazoo lol

Yeah might be worth a quick check at the adjustment bolt. If it’s all the way screwed in, it’s probably not right.

 

[Viio]

I replaced my globes and my torsion bars were wound too tight for the new setup. I relaxed them and the suspension went softer again. They were pre-loaded a lot because of the old broken globes, and now I could unwind them.

 

[WannaCruise]

Looks like mine are at about 1/2 adjustment on both sides.

Hoping to get a good load of Tech Stream today... I have 2 cables to work with, but need to load the software.

 

[2001LC]

 

[Rhetoric]

Probably not this obvious, but still worth checking:

Does your AHC ride control knob change the feel of the suspension at all? A properly functioning switch will cause the truck to go from very soft to near coil over suspension hard with the truck unloaded.

That switch sits in the prime drink spill zone of the center console. Mine was corroded and caused the backlight bulbs to not work, but I have seen instances where corrosion causes the ride control and height adjustment to not work at all.

 

[WannaCruise]

Probably not this obvious, but still worth checking:

Does your AHC ride control knob change the feel of the suspension at all? A properly functioning switch will cause the truck to go from very soft to near coil over suspension hard with the truck unloaded.

That switch sits in the prime drink spill zone of the center console. Mine was corroded and caused the backlight bulbs to not work, but I have seen instances where corrosion causes the ride control and height adjustment to not work at all.

From what I can tell, yes, but I'm not sure how dramatic of a change it should be.

 

[Bisho]

I have OBD fusion, and with that app and an OBD Bluetooth dongle you can read pressures and codes. You’ll need to purchase the Fusion plug in for your year, about $10. About $50 all in.

You’re just shooting in the dark without something to check the pressures. When you have the ability to check pressures, read the first post in “the ABCs of AHC” and you’ll be good to go.