IndroCruise
SILVER Star
Post #439 has been updated with a few corrections and clarifications .....
Sources for AHC Accumulator Globes
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Just received and installed my globed from Impex, Shipping ended up being $115, and there was no tariff impact noted. It did take almost 3 weeks for the part to arrive to Impex, but then shipping from Japan to TX was about 3 days.
Turns out both of my front globes failed the pencil test, both rears were good. My ride quality went from nauseating bouncy house, to smooth float. It did take me 3 tins of 2.5 Liter AHC fluid to flush all the air and garbage fluid out of the system.
Turns out both of my front globes failed the pencil test, both rears were good. My ride quality went from nauseating bouncy house, to smooth float. It did take me 3 tins of 2.5 Liter AHC fluid to flush all the air and garbage fluid out of the system.
Is impex still working? When I go to the direct link for globes that was posted in this thread is shows "part not found" and I get the same "part not found" result even when I search using the correct part numbers. I can't get this site to return a correct result for globes.
Has anyone ordered from Ebay?
Has anyone ordered from Ebay?
@jwest - I ordered these earlier this year and no problems. Appeared genuine and are working well. GENUINE LEXUS LX470 FRONT REAR SUSPENSION ACCUMULATORS SET OF 4 1998~2007 | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/195323593342?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&customid=&campid=5337589904&toolid=10001&mpt=8393416
IndroCruise
SILVER Star
The IMPEX site still seems to work -- maybe you have a bad link??
New parts search — IMPEX JAPAN
en.impex-jp.com
Just now it is the Golden Week holiday period in Japan -- things may be a little slow ....
What's the pencil test? Search didn't turn up an answer. Is it just putting a pencil down the bore of the accumulator to check if there's pressure behind the diaphragm?
Thanks
Here's what I get when I click on your link. It doesn't matter what parts number I enter it always comes back with "The part number was not found in our database"The IMPEX site still seems to work -- maybe you have a bad link??
New parts search — IMPEX JAPAN
Just now it is the Golden Week holiday period in Japan -- things may be a little slow ....
Yes Exactly, its become a "right of passage" for replacing your globes. Drop a pencil in your new globes and mark a line to see how far down it goes, do the same thing with your old globe, and if it drops all the way down, your nitrogen bladder is gone, and the pencil sinks down an extra inch or so.
My AHC fluid had so much air bubbles in it, that I was pretty sure my globes were gone when I was bleeding them. (And it rode like a nauseating bouncy house on wheels).
IndroCruise
SILVER Star
On the "Pencil Test" ....
From @suprarx7nut -- succinct explanation and to the point, as usual ....
LX470 Globes passed the pencil test, but my ride is aweful - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/lx470-globes-passed-the-pencil-test-but-my-ride-is-aweful.1300312/#post-14728054
From @IndroCruise -- longer explanation with pictures, as usual .....
The ABCs of AHC - How to Measure, Flush, and Adjust all in one place - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/the-abcs-of-ahc-how-to-measure-flush-and-adjust-all-in-one-place.1211999/page-14#post-14498741
The moral of these stories ....
The "Pencil Test" is completely useless as a 'diagnostic tool' to indicate the condition of a 'globe' in fair condition, after coming off a vehicle which was still showing a few graduations at the AHC Tank between "HI" height and "LO" height at correct AHC pressures per test attached below ....
Unless ....
The membrane inside a 'globe' has so completely split or ruptured that it is no longer holding back any nitrogen, then ....
The "Pencil Test" is useful only as a 'post mortem tool' to establish clearly that the 'globe' is indeed DEAD!!
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Hi everyone,
Here a happy user of WTV-UK spheres since 10 years ago, Comfort Plus version (theoretically more internal N2 pressure than OEM). My HDJ100 handles around 150-200 Kg extra weight and still works fine, but now I notice some lack of comfortability, most probably due to the membranes.
I have 2 questions:
1. Does anyone know the internal pressure of the 3 models of WTV spheres?
2. Did anyone try to replace the OEM front spheres (400 cm3, 327 psi) by the rear ones (500 cm3, 387 psi)? fitting is same, more pressure to handle more weight...
Many thanks.
Here a happy user of WTV-UK spheres since 10 years ago, Comfort Plus version (theoretically more internal N2 pressure than OEM). My HDJ100 handles around 150-200 Kg extra weight and still works fine, but now I notice some lack of comfortability, most probably due to the membranes.
I have 2 questions:
1. Does anyone know the internal pressure of the 3 models of WTV spheres?
2. Did anyone try to replace the OEM front spheres (400 cm3, 327 psi) by the rear ones (500 cm3, 387 psi)? fitting is same, more pressure to handle more weight...
Many thanks.
"241" sold. Surely somebody here must've tried these
Any idea if they're at all serviceable?
4x Front & Rear Suspension Accumulator Fit Lexus LX570 08-21 Toyota Land Cruiser | eBay
Lexus LX570 J200 2008-2021. Toyota Land Cruiser J200 2008-2021. Toyota Tacoma 2005-2018. For the car with suspension. -Our warranty is valid for max. 24 months without mileage limitation. -With these parts you can replace your defective parts simply plug and play.
ebay.us
Any idea if they're at all serviceable?
They're for 200 series. They may or may not work....."241" sold. Surely somebody here must've tried these
4x Front & Rear Suspension Accumulator Fit Lexus LX570 08-21 Toyota Land Cruiser | eBay
Lexus LX570 J200 2008-2021. Toyota Land Cruiser J200 2008-2021. Toyota Tacoma 2005-2018. For the car with suspension. -Our warranty is valid for max. 24 months without mileage limitation. -With these parts you can replace your defective parts simply plug and play.ebay.us
Any idea if they're at all serviceable?
I recently ordered and received OE parts from MOTORS HEAD in Japan. JP¥81,823 + import duty/VAT into the UK.
Anyone recently purchase globes from Impex and pay any tariffs? Thinking about placing an order but worried about what the final cost might be.
Well I may have just committed one of the most blasphemous acts known to planet Mud. But because I am doing this for ALL mudders' benefit, so you don't have to, hopefully it is not worthy of a Mud Excommunication. 
The sin---- > I now have four Amazonian Chinese made globes in my '01 LX. ($379)
And as of today, with very aggressive big lug Prinx mudders, the ride is absolutely mint...mint I tell you. I mean perfect. Can't imagine it could be better even with stock Michelins.
Because of this sacrificial mudder research project, I will let you know when any or all globes fail.
The sin---- > I now have four Amazonian Chinese made globes in my '01 LX. ($379)
And as of today, with very aggressive big lug Prinx mudders, the ride is absolutely mint...mint I tell you. I mean perfect. Can't imagine it could be better even with stock Michelins.
Because of this sacrificial mudder research project, I will let you know when any or all globes fail.
Mud update, as promised.....it appears the front DS Amazonian globe is not retaining pressure as it should. I can tell the NW corner of LX is lacking a bit in suspension damping. I will continue on until.....
IndroCruise
SILVER Star
Very appreciative of the ongoing monitoring -- watching with interest
Given the 'normally open' Gate Valve hydraulic connection between Left Front and Right which tend to equalise hydraulic pressure except when cornering at speed, are you sensing a difference when cornering which can be isolated from any effects of differences in the settings/conditions of Torsion Bars or Damping Force Control Actuators??
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I have not sensed any difference cornering, I think only because I haven't thought about that or maybe don't go fast enough to tell. But now I will certainly be looking for any differences when cornering.Very appreciative of the ongoing monitoring -- watching with interest
Given the 'normally open' Gate Valve hydraulic connection between Left Front and Right which tend to equalise hydraulic pressure except when cornering at speed, are you sensing a difference when cornering which can be isolated from any effects of differences in the settings/conditions of Torsion Bars or Damping Force Control Actuators??
What I have noticed is when going over the same terrain every day. For examples, when going over an interstate bridge hitting the segments of concrete joints, the vehicle has a twisting rock instead of a more symmetrical (front to back) very smooth and subtle rock. Really too smooth to call it a "rock". The twist is from the left front globe not damping like the other three buttercups (so far) Then I confirm that when entering my rough cobblestone driveway many times per day for many years. I also confirm when going over speed bumps one side at a time. The front DS is rather harsh compared to the other three.
@BullElk , can you confirm that the steering angle sensor is correct?
As the left and right are connected when driving straight, and always at low speed, there shouldnt be any difference between left and right damping behaviour from one bad sphere in such cases.
@IndroCruise , As the gate valve is after the damping valves, when seen from the shock's point of view; any difference in left-right behaviour would stem from either torsion bars or from difference (fault) in the actuator valves. Is this a correct conclusion?
As the left and right are connected when driving straight, and always at low speed, there shouldnt be any difference between left and right damping behaviour from one bad sphere in such cases.
@IndroCruise , As the gate valve is after the damping valves, when seen from the shock's point of view; any difference in left-right behaviour would stem from either torsion bars or from difference (fault) in the actuator valves. Is this a correct conclusion?
Not sure how to do that. However, I have noticed the front DS stays about .5-.75" lower than PS, even when I set the height sensor a little higher than PS trying to compensate.
As mentioned, when going straight over speed bumps, ons side at a time, there is a consistent difference in one globe damping compared to other globes.
I actually had this happen before on my 2000 LX. I bought four Amazonian globes with intentions to replace just the front to begin with as I felt sure the rough damping was in the front. I still had/ have two Pleiades on the rear that have worked well for seven years now.
Very soon after replacing, I noticed the same issue with just the one new DS globe not damping properly. I took it off and replaced the with an older globe I found. I actually tested it by trying to pour fluid into the globe. It didn't take it so I figured it had some life left.
I was right, after replacing just that globe, the damping feels nice. And still on there now. I sent all four Amazonians back.
Sensor adjustment can't do anything for leveleing L/R. As said, there is free flow of AHC liquid between left and right as long as you're going slow or straight. The only way for you is to tighten the DS torsion bar (re-indexing if you're out of threads on the adjuster bolt)
Steering angle you read in TechStream.