I'm sure you already figured this out, but this happened to me after installing new globes, refilling the reservoir, and bringing the truck back to N. At that point the "OFF" flashed, so I went to check the reservoir and it was empty after it distributed all of the new fluid (I did the full bleed and refill outlined in comment #17 of this thread). I turned the truck off and refilled the reservoir again. Once I turned the truck back on the "OFF" light went away. Good luck!
replacing AHC globes/accumulators (14 Viewers)
- Thread starter pete100
- Start date
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Similar occurrence for me. I just kept bleeding each accumulator until it finally stopped blinking! Having techstream handy to monitor faults was helpful too. I still need to dial in my settings and will update once I get through that part...
shtbrwn86
SILVER Star
For those of you who have replaced the globes is there a noticeable difference from comfort to sport? My globes are shot so it’s bumpy all the time.
Just curious how much of a difference those
settings make on a properly functioning system.
Just curious how much of a difference those
settings make on a properly functioning system.
Yes, there is a substantial difference. Full comfort is like a 70’s Cadillac, sport is like a 3/4 ton pick-up.
Agreed -- provided Front and Rear AHC pressures are within the FSM-specified ranges and provided there are no faults elsewhere in the system (especially mentioning rogue Height Control Sensors).
I did my globes today - I'm pretty much an idiot and it took me about 3 hours from start to finish. I think the biggest tip I have is to spray all the bolts with PB Blaster.
I did several treatments, a quick spray on each bleeder and glob over the last week. I tried to loosen one bolt which I didn't PB Blaster and it broke (driver side running board support.
You can get the driver side front globe out/in without removing the running board bracket but the passenger side needs to be removed because of some hoses and stuff in the way.
This is the wrench that I got: Amazon product ASIN B094NBP79L worked great. I noticed that other amazon links on this thread have changed from a 36mm to some other size like 42mm or something else wrong. I didn't need the cold chisel set I bought, but it was nice to know I have it.
I used PADDO's second method where you jack up the front and then rear (see post 17) which I found easier because you have more clearance under the vehicle. Maybe you have a lift, but I do not
The ride seems much, much improved though I think changing the bushings will help as well. I didn't end up using the full 2.5L of fluid so I don't know if I actually changed all of the fluid or not. I have another 2.5L so maybe I'll do another flush at some point and see if that improves more but I may wait a year or two to do that since I'm happy now. The fluid that came out in the bleeding after turning the car back on looked clean, bright pink.
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Globes I bought from Impex and I got the fluid from PartSouq (cheaper) along with some other parts not related to this so it was easy to combine shipping.
edit: I went back today and flushed 2.5L more through the system, bleeding the rest out of each corner. The fluid coming out is much much more pink now.
I did several treatments, a quick spray on each bleeder and glob over the last week. I tried to loosen one bolt which I didn't PB Blaster and it broke (driver side running board support.
You can get the driver side front globe out/in without removing the running board bracket but the passenger side needs to be removed because of some hoses and stuff in the way.
This is the wrench that I got: Amazon product ASIN B094NBP79L worked great. I noticed that other amazon links on this thread have changed from a 36mm to some other size like 42mm or something else wrong. I didn't need the cold chisel set I bought, but it was nice to know I have it.
I used PADDO's second method where you jack up the front and then rear (see post 17) which I found easier because you have more clearance under the vehicle. Maybe you have a lift, but I do not
The ride seems much, much improved though I think changing the bushings will help as well. I didn't end up using the full 2.5L of fluid so I don't know if I actually changed all of the fluid or not. I have another 2.5L so maybe I'll do another flush at some point and see if that improves more but I may wait a year or two to do that since I'm happy now. The fluid that came out in the bleeding after turning the car back on looked clean, bright pink.
-----
Globes I bought from Impex and I got the fluid from PartSouq (cheaper) along with some other parts not related to this so it was easy to combine shipping.
edit: I went back today and flushed 2.5L more through the system, bleeding the rest out of each corner. The fluid coming out is much much more pink now.
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Hi all - like many here I am a fan of the AHC system and want to overhaul it. As Im in Australia, my AHC crusier is a 2006 landcrusier sahara 4.2 factory Turbo with 250,000km on it. I 'beleive' my globes are gone as the lovely smooth road shock absorption is completely gone - small holes feel like a bone jarring - almost like my tires are pumped up to 100psi. (which they arent)
So as I have read, that feeling of the vehicle reacting on small bumps with a bone jarring very hard feeling is a classic sign the globes are gone correct?
I plan to take my cruiser to the Toyota dealer here in the socialist republic of Victoria Australia to do the work.
Can I get some guidance on the following queries:
1. Impex is the best place to get factory globes from ? (I have used Impex before for Honda motorcycle parts and find their service excellent)
2. Apart from globes what else should I order? Can I buy fluid from Impex or not necessary/permitted due to shipping?
3. How much will dealers try to ream me on a globe change and recalibrate? Is this something only a toyota/lexus dealer can do?
I love my AHC and use it daily for low roof access - it's worked well for me and I want it to keep working.
Thanks
So as I have read, that feeling of the vehicle reacting on small bumps with a bone jarring very hard feeling is a classic sign the globes are gone correct?
I plan to take my cruiser to the Toyota dealer here in the socialist republic of Victoria Australia to do the work.
Can I get some guidance on the following queries:
1. Impex is the best place to get factory globes from ? (I have used Impex before for Honda motorcycle parts and find their service excellent)
2. Apart from globes what else should I order? Can I buy fluid from Impex or not necessary/permitted due to shipping?
3. How much will dealers try to ream me on a globe change and recalibrate? Is this something only a toyota/lexus dealer can do?
I love my AHC and use it daily for low roof access - it's worked well for me and I want it to keep working.
Thanks
In the US the globes themselves are outrageously expensive at the dealer. Once they’re in hand, it’s not that difficult a job. So if the dealer is using your parts, it shouldn’t be too bad, imo.
I didn’t have to remove any running board parts, did have to use a chisel to hammer loose the driver’s side front globe.
If you’ve flushed your AHC fluid before, the only thing you need to do is drain the fluid (depressurizing the system), unscrew the old globes, screw on the new ones, put in the new fluid.
In my experience, everything you touch in the suspension improves the ride a bit - from bushings to globes. My take was the globes had the most dramatic impact on handling.
If you can change your oil, you can change the globes. Just make sure you have all the right parts and tools before you start. I think around here the dealer will charge you like $1,000. It honestly took me under 4 hours from start to finish. Best advice: soak with penetrating fluid (PB Blaster, etc) several times over a multiday period before starting. I had zero issues with loosening the globes using only a wrench.
First thing though - do the gradation check to see if your system is actually in good working order, or if it needs attention.
I got the globes from Impex and fluid from Partsouq - that seemed to be the cheapest option for me in the US, YMMV though.
First thing though - do the gradation check to see if your system is actually in good working order, or if it needs attention.
I got the globes from Impex and fluid from Partsouq - that seemed to be the cheapest option for me in the US, YMMV though.
Not sure if you will run into the same issue over there as I did in Oklahoma, but I couldn't find a mechanic that would touch this project (even my local Lexus dealer). I read up on this sub and tackled it myself and it's extremely feasible to tackle with a 10mm wrench, bleeder hose, PB blaster, and a jug to store the old AHC fluid. I paid a little extra for OEM Toyota globes and AHC fluid on ebay and recommend the same if possible. Both were shipped from Japan. My LX was instantly buttery smooth again!
Sometimes the height sensors go out and that could seem like the globes need to be replaced. I replaced my globes 2 years ago at 160K miles but it didn't immediately fix the bounce. I also had to replace 1 of the height sensors and THAT fixed it. I paid $350 at the dealership for the sensor replacement but they tried to change the price when I showed up to pick up the vehicle (to over $700) but I called BS on that one. I think they were upset because I had a loaner vehicle for a week while they waited on the part to arrive. I originally took mine to a local 4x4 shop after I swapped the globes and they didn't have the right equipment to diagnose the sensor issue so I ended up taking it to the dealership. Good luck! Globe swap was fairly easy, shouldn't take someone experienced more than 2 hours or so. Lots of good advice above.
I honestly have never checked my ahc but the last 12 months the rides has been terrible, jarring, bangin feeling so with the age of the vehicle (2006 model) Im presuming my globes are foobarred
1. Impex FTW - however at the time I was checking prices this ebay seller was easier and with cheaper delivery. Delivery was ~1 week, absolutely the genuine item.
2. Your local Toyota dealer is the place to go - here's one I prepared earlier (see attachment)
3. My Lexus dealer quoted $500 + 2 cans (LX price ~A$70!!) for a fluid flush, so it will be Vaseline-free pineapple for the globes
I reckon any good Indie would be able to follow the Paddo guide to replacing globes.
My suggestion - do a flush first, that way at least you have some nice clean fluid in the system prior to globe swap. Cost is your time and A$30.
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Run a check using YotaMD’s guide first:
The gradations section will tell you if globes are bad.
I purchased globes from Impex and purchased AHC fluid from local dealer.
OK listeners, listen up
Down here in the socialist republic of Australia (and its ass end Victoria) I just got my quote from a decent toyota dealer to replace the globes and calibrate.
Have a guess what it is...
$8400 Australian dollars.
$5628 USD
That includes 5 hrs of labour.
And there's more - there's NO stock of the globes in Australia
Impex hear I come...
Down here in the socialist republic of Australia (and its ass end Victoria) I just got my quote from a decent toyota dealer to replace the globes and calibrate.
Have a guess what it is...
$8400 Australian dollars.
$5628 USD
That includes 5 hrs of labour.
And there's more - there's NO stock of the globes in Australia
Impex hear I come...
Jack90210
SILVER Star
Exactly, the "shocks" are merely hydraulic rams and basically never wear out (to clarify, they can weep fluid if pressures are too high, and they can rust out).
Ok thought I’d update and raise some points
1. Impex advised they have my globes and I’ve we just paid $300 AUD to ship dhl to me.
2. Pavel from impex confirmed dhl and FedEx ship the globes
3. Total cost for me was about $1006 Aud which is about $670 USD shipped
4. I want to say that you guys on the forum have again delivered - this is the best Landcruiser forum ever !!
5. So for anyone else contemplating impex here was my experience - ordered last Tuesday, advised 1 week later the parts had arrived and paid today for shipping.
Perfect system with perfect people and perfect advice. Thankyou all
1. Impex advised they have my globes and I’ve we just paid $300 AUD to ship dhl to me.
2. Pavel from impex confirmed dhl and FedEx ship the globes
3. Total cost for me was about $1006 Aud which is about $670 USD shipped
4. I want to say that you guys on the forum have again delivered - this is the best Landcruiser forum ever !!
5. So for anyone else contemplating impex here was my experience - ordered last Tuesday, advised 1 week later the parts had arrived and paid today for shipping.
Perfect system with perfect people and perfect advice. Thankyou all
Some more queries
Is there a link anywhere to official toyota literature that details how long it should take to fit and calibrate 4 new globes?
Have any of you guys in North America got any advise on buying AHC fluid online?
Is it something that is ok ship internationally?
Any aussies on here buy AHC fluid online?
Im just prpearing for my local dealer to pull some crap out of his hat like "we dont have fluid" etc etc
Is there a link anywhere to official toyota literature that details how long it should take to fit and calibrate 4 new globes?
Have any of you guys in North America got any advise on buying AHC fluid online?
Is it something that is ok ship internationally?
Any aussies on here buy AHC fluid online?
Im just prpearing for my local dealer to pull some crap out of his hat like "we dont have fluid" etc etc
