Shocks washers (1 Viewer)

[bobNoobie]

Hellow hivemind!

I'm currently debating between OEM shocks and Bilstein for my 1998 LX470. My vehicle has a rear Coastal Offroad bumper with a swing-out and a three-piece Coastal Offroad skid plate up front.

I’m leaning toward the OEM ride quality, but after watching Beginner’s Luck Garage on YouTube, the idea of upgrading to Bilstein shocks is tempting—especially thanks to those famous $200 washers!

After giving it some thought, my question is: can you order just the Bilstein shock bushing washers for all corners? Does anyone know the measurements or part numbers for just the washers? I’m aware there are two styles of cupped washers for each corner, and one has a nipple that fits the top shock mount.

 

[Mike NXP]

Hellow hivemind!

I'm currently debating between OEM shocks and Bilstein for my 1998 LX470. My vehicle has a rear Coastal Offroad bumper with a swing-out and a three-piece Coastal Offroad skid plate up front.

I’m leaning toward the OEM ride quality, but after watching Beginner’s Luck Garage on YouTube, the idea of upgrading to Bilstein shocks is tempting—especially thanks to those famous $200 washers!

After giving it some thought, my question is: can you order just the Bilstein shock bushing washers for all corners? Does anyone know the measurements or part numbers for just the washers? I’m aware there are two styles of cupped washers for each corner, and one has a nipple that fits the top shock mount.

Not much help from me on the Bilsteins / washers you asking about. I can tell you based on experience that OEM is better quality and can handle your weight no problem.

Torsion bars handle weight up front
Coils handle the weight in the rear
Shocks dampen everything

If you add weight up front, adjust torsion bars
If you add weight in the rear ( more weight than the average car load of full passengers ) then upgrade coils
Unless you have extended travel / just want to try other brands, than OEM shock setup is great.

 

[Mike NXP]

*** Just noticed you have LX470, so don't you the hydraulic adjustable shocks / AHC system?

Just swapping out OEM to aftermarket will involve a bit more effort. And I have no idea what it takes to replace the shocks or if thats even something you do? I see a lot of talk on the forums about servicing the systems fluid.

I don't have an LX so again no advice here on that topic.

Relevant threads below

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...

forum.ih8mud.com

Removing AHC

Quick question for those that have done this swap. I am working on a 2001 lx470 and the AHC (auto height control) system is going to be removed an an old man emu suspension installed. Specifically I am wondering if there are any issues with removing all of the AHC components on the frame...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[bobNoobie]

Yes thank you

I should mention earlier that I'm currently scraping the AHC. I'll be replacing the rear coil spring, torsion bar, and shocks.It just occurred to me that paying $200 for washers seems absurd, especially when Bilstein shocks come with them. Why not source the washers directly from Bilstein? I also read that Bilstein shocks ride a bit stiffer than OEM. So, I'm thinking of getting OEM shocks but using the Bilstein washers.


In the end, suspension really comes down to personal preference—we have to try it out to see what works best for us. For now, I've decided to go with OME coil springs and torsion bars, but I’m still figuring out how to make the OEM shocks work without the hefty washer cost!

 

[Mike NXP]

Yes thank you

I should mention earlier that I'm currently scraping the AHC. I'll be replacing the rear coil spring, torsion bar, and shocks.It just occurred to me that paying $200 for washers seems absurd, especially when Bilstein shocks come with them. Why not source the washers directly from Bilstein? I also read that Bilstein shocks ride a bit stiffer than OEM. So, I'm thinking of getting OEM shocks but using the Bilstein washers.


In the end, suspension really comes down to personal preference—we have to try it out to see what works best for us. For now, I've decided to go with OME coil springs and torsion bars, but I’m still figuring out how to make the OEM shocks work without the hefty washer cost!

Gotcha, well shoot I don't know anything about the washers you are refering to.
>> Some will ask, why remove the AHC? To much headache to maintain or did something fail?

My advice will always be go OEM whenever possible


I totally agree, suspension and tires or so totally up to the end users preference. Some folks love Bilstein, others hate it. Some love KO2 tires, others hate them. Totally subjective based on user experience.

 

[97 AZ LC]

I don't think you can get washers for $200 now. Those were the good old days. But they're about a hundred at PartSouq and about $50 at Impex. Of course there's some shipping. But if you've got anything else to buy from Impex the incremental shipping for the washers is going to be negligible. And if you're really cheap, like me, you only buy 14 washers. There's two (the 2175s) that can be reused from the LX.

 

[bobNoobie]

I sent an email to Bilstein. I will let you know if I get lucky

 

[oakback]

I'm not sure about the washers, if you mean the cupped washers I reused mine. But you couldn't pay me to use Bilstein again. Mine sheared off after less than 3 years of easy use. I wasn't the only one with this problem.

 

[bobNoobie]

Thanks! I’ve decided to go with the OEM shocks for now. (Or maybe ome , does ome kit comes with hardware. anyone know?)

I just wish there was a way to measure the washer and I'll get it somehow. It’s strange that almost all aftermarket shocks include the hardware, but the washers themselves are nowhere to be found. Last resort is to just get it from impex, ayama or partouq

 

[oakback]

Here you can see the hardware the dealer provided me, and what I reused. This was for rear shocks only. What washers are you talking about?

From top to bottom mine have: nut - washer - rubber bushing - upper shock mounting point - cupped washer - rubber bushing - cupped washer - shock body

The dealer said I needed the 2 washers in the pic, 90560-18009, but I never could figure out where they went.

 

[leveeguy]

Anyone have these laying around?

Hoping those who have swapped out suspensions would be able to help. I bought OEM LC shocks to swap out my LX with AHC. The shocks only came with the rubber bushings and nuts, no metal retainers. Every part diagram that I've looked at says that the metal retainers come with the shock...

forum.ih8mud.com

This thread has some info on the shock retainers (washers) that may help you

 

[bobNoobie]

Just in case anyone still wondering about the washers. I was intrigue that the washers are provided by any aftermarket shocks but it cost $10-$15 per washers from Toyota, each corner requires 3 to 4 washers depending on who to talk to.

I managed to order the washers-and-bushing kit only from BilsteinUSA

The hardware kit is B4-KT1-Z098A00 and B4-KT1-Z099A00
each corner cost $10 .. I think this is the perfect pair if you order OEM toyota shocks

 

[97 AZ LC]

Looks risky to me. Those washers don't look anything like the Toyota washers. You can get the Toyota washers for about $40 plus shipping from Japan, no sales tax, probably about the same price, and certain to work perfectly with the Toyota shocks. The Toyota shocks come with the bushings.

 

[Malleus]

...but not the washers