Sources for AHC Accumulator Globes (1 Viewer)

[tagoy]

WTV-UK Kits & Parts

Just installed mine today. I ordered on a Tuesday and recieved them on Friday.... all the way from the UK. Email responses where quick and helpful. Install was easy and he provides a hose for the bleeders and a thin wrench to remove and install. All 4 for about $785 shipped after conversion from pounds to $. Truck rides great now!

Hi! How are your globes from WTV so far? really considering getting from a set.

 

[cek347]

Everything has been great so far. Ride is really nice. I use the comfort selector and the L-N height selector all the time. The whole system functions perfectly.

 

[feddomw]

Is it a job to replace, or job? They provide instructions, no?

 

[cek347]

They gave instructions but there is also at least one DIY with pictures. 1 . Just make sure you release all the pressure from the system. If you are east coast hit everything with PB blaster a few days ahead of time and get yourself a cheap set of line wrenches for the bleeders.

 

[uHu]

.... and get yourself a cheap set of line wrenches for the bleeders.

Use a quality hexagon socket to brake the bleeder loose, then you can use any ring spanner for bleeding. The bleeders are easy to break, and easy to round.

 

[PADDO]

I was recently exchanging emails with the guys at Pleiades and they indicated their adapted Citroen globes are £110 each with shipping to the US estimated at £50. Another option for those interested. Also they can/did recharge OE Toyota spheres but now prefer not to as they've seen some recharged globes fail in around two years but other recharges are still going strong at four years. Their preference is to supply new Citroen spheres with an adjusted pressure to suit the LC/LX/Amazon platforms weight.

 

[feddomw]

I was recently exchanging emails with the guys at Pleiades and they indicated their adapted Citroen globes are £110 each with shipping to the US estimated at £50. Another option for those interested. Also they can/did recharge OE Toyota spheres but now prefer not to as they've seen some recharged globes fail in around two years but other recharges are still going strong at four years. Their preference is to supply new Citroen spheres with an adjusted pressure to suit the LC/LX/Amazon platforms weight.

At that price, if one OEM globe fails you could replace all globes for the official list price of ONE OEM globe..... My AHC system seems in good nick, but I can't tell any difference between most sporty and most comfy ride settings, whereas I am convinced I could on my previous 100.

Just as an aside, how does the process for replacing globes work? Drain the system, replace all globes, fill system through reservoir and power up car/AHC? Surely it's not that simple?

 

[PADDO]

At that price, if one OEM globe fails you could replace all globes for the official list price of ONE OEM globe..... My AHC system seems in good nick, but I can't tell any difference between most sporty and most comfy ride settings, whereas I am convinced I could on my previous 100.

Just as an aside, how does the process for replacing globes work? Drain the system, replace all globes, fill system through reservoir and power up car/AHC? Surely it's not that simple?

Here's something I prepared for another guy:

I've done the changeouts two ways: combined with a full bleed and fluid replacement and I've tried a "low fluid loss method". You could probably combine both methods too. Have you got your 36mm ford fan clutch wrench from auto zone and a spare can of fluid?
Method 1. Last globe changeout I did I dropped it to L, engine OFF, bleed all 5 bleeders down to the point where fluid stops flowing (total about 1 liter) so the truck is sitting on the bump stops and then sucked out the reservoir and dumped in a full can of fresh fluid as per my quick and easy 1 can method. So you've got truck on bumps, no pressure behind any globes and a full reservoir. Unscrew old and replace the new globes, you can try and put a bit of fresh fluid in the throats of each globe but it just spills out really, but do wet the O ring with fluid. There is some spec for globe tightness but I just tighten them up and give them a bit of a nudge. After all the fan clutch wrench is 13 or 14 in long so you've got plenty of leverage there. I guess I tighten them to maybe 40 ft lbs? So when you've done the four globes start her up and it will recharge everything and then raise her to N. The fluid level in the reservoir should be a bit above max. Turn her OFF and give each corner a quick bleed, just an ounce or three till there are no bubbles. Start her up again and confirm the fluid level is good, if the level is a bit over max is ok too and you're done.
The other low fluid loss way I've done it is:
Vehicle off, at N height and jacked up the front so both front wheels are off the ground. Crack a front bleeder to relieve pressure (both sides will depressurize as they are hydraulically connected) then spin off/spin on the new globe after wetting the o ring with fluid. Move over to the other side and repeat, crack the bleeder just to make sure there is no pressure but it'll be fine. Tighten the front up, drop her back on the ground and then do the back the same way, both wheels off the ground, relieve pressure and spin off/spin on the new. Keep approximate track of just how much fluid you've drained at each corner and add that much fresh back into the reservoir, plus a cup or two for bleeding each corner. You won't bleed that much out with the wheels off the ground and the shock actuators at full extension. On the ground start her up and give each corner a bleed till no bubbles. I try and keep track of how much I'm bleeding out so I don't run the risk off getting too low in the reservoir. A quick confirmation check bleed at the height accumulator is probably worth it too. Hope this helps.

 

[tagoy]

Everything has been great so far. Ride is really nice. I use the comfort selector and the L-N height selector all the time. The whole system functions perfectly.

thank you for the info! will be getting mine soon!

 

[bouncylexus]

I was recently exchanging emails with the guys at Pleiades and they indicated their adapted Citroen globes are £110 each with shipping to the US estimated at £50. Another option for those interested. Also they can/did recharge OE Toyota spheres but now prefer not to as they've seen some recharged globes fail in around two years but other recharges are still going strong at four years. Their preference is to supply new Citroen spheres with an adjusted pressure to suit the LC/LX/Amazon platforms weight.

Any word on how the Pleiades are working out? About to buy some from here and just wanted to get confirmation that they will work on my LX470. Pleiades suspension spheres

 

[PADDO]

Pleiades suspension solutions are very highly regarded in the U.K. and their 100/LX/Amazon damper spheres are in service in many parts of the world. They will work on your 470.

 

[bouncylexus]

Is it better to flush the AHC fluid before or after replacing the globes?

 

[PADDO]

I'd do the fluid exchange before you change the damper globes. Or kill two birds with one stone and do it simultaneously if the old fluid isn't too bad noting you always have some residual old fluid that remains in the shock actuators (even when they are compressed down to the bump stops) and lines.

 

[trdcorolla]

Any help would be appreciated from anyone who has changed their accumulators. Using @PADDO post 68 above, I bled all 5 bleeders, removed all the AHC fluid from the reservoir (even though the old fluid was only 3 months old) and refilled it with a can of new fluid. When I got to the accumulator's I can't get any of them off with my 36mm fan clutch and with a Pep Boys 36mm fan clutch. I blasted all 4 with PB Blaster this morning (I live in Cali, so I didn't need to, but did it anyway, didn't need to on my TB's). After an hour with my 36mm fan clutch and no luck, I rented one at Pep Boys. An hour later of still not being able to remove even one of them, I gave up for now. Anyone have any tips? I'm not big strong guy, but I am strong enough to rotate tires myself, and move around my garage the almost 100lbs 22" wheels with tires that came on the car when I bought it, if that's any indication. Let me know, thanks!

 

[LonghornLX]

Clearance was an issue when I removed my globes with using a flat wrench. I ended up getting a using a small chain based oil filter removal tool to loosen them up. Let me know if you'd like a picture

 

[trdcorolla]

Yeah, if you already have a picture, that'll be great, thanks!

 

[Mark WV]

I had trouble with the ford fan wrench - it was not strong enough to supply the necessary torque to remove the globes and would bend open where it gripped the globe. A few hits with a hammer and sharp chisel was all it took to loosen the globes however. Start the chisel on the fat part of the globe and they will loosen without any difficulty. They are quite thick walled and no danger of puncturing them. I would not recommend this if you plan to reuse the globes however.

 

[Ton Ton]

Everything has been great so far. Ride is really nice. I use the comfort selector and the L-N height selector all the time. The whole system functions perfectly.

I was recently exchanging emails with the guys at Pleiades and they indicated their adapted Citroen globes are £110 each with shipping to the US estimated at £50. Another option for those interested. Also they can/did recharge OE Toyota spheres but now prefer not to as they've seen some recharged globes fail in around two years but other recharges are still going strong at four years. Their preference is to supply new Citroen spheres with an adjusted pressure to suit the LC/LX/Amazon platforms weight.

Everything has been great so far. Ride is really nice. I use the comfort selector and the L-N height selector all the time. The whole system functions perfectly.

Hi,

Im new in this forum, I would like to know how's the replacement part from amayama is doing so far? I been experiencing issues with my suspension (hard bumps) but the AHC High-Normal-Low still works. Do you think I have the same issue with your globes. Please advise.
Thank you in advance.

 

[white_lx]

Also they can/did recharge OE Toyota spheres but now prefer not to as they've seen some recharged globes fail in around two years but other recharges are still going strong at four years.

Do you happen to know if the rubber diaphragm failed, or did they loose pressure? If the rubber is still OK on older globes, it might be worth to install a fitting and fill with high pressure N2 for a DIY refill. That is not too hard to do - if done carefully.

 

[68W65D]

Do AHC globe diaphragms deteriorate on the shelf? And if they do, if you buy one, how do you know you aren't buying one that has sat on a shelf for 10 years?