Sources for AHC Accumulator Globes (1 Viewer)

[PADDO]

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.

Didn’t get into the failure modes of the OEM accumulators they had recharged so can’t comment. Certainly something like a Valprex 2000 kit could very likely be made to work, the Citroen guys use them extensively. You’d have to consider the amount of effort and expenditure involved versus the nominal useful service life of a new OE accumulator which should be between 10-20 years. And it would be a brave individual who offered a recharge service for a fee imo. It’s worth noting that companies like Arnott Industries hasn’t developed an aftermarket solution or an OE recharge capacity, even though they were offering to buy used globes some time back, which I assume was for R&D. Also I understand, via third hand discussion so happy to be corrected, that the US based company that offered accumulators is no longer in the Toyota/Lexus AHC game.

 

[PADDO]

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?

Yes accumulators loose their nitrogen charge with time so old stock will not be as effective as new and age also affects the service life of the diaphragm. The OEM accumulators I’ve seen have had a production date sticker.

 

[white_lx]

Certainly something like a Valprex 2000 kit could very likely be made to work, the Citroen guys use them extensively.

Great info. I didn't know about these, but that was exactly what I was thinking. Including the bleeding for the recharging on the vehicle without removal of the spheres.

My plan was to use stock shock Schraeder Valves and zero-loss refill adapter. For around $120 the spheres could be made rechargeable.

And it would be a brave individual who offered a recharge service for a fee imo.

This would be a DIY refill. The pressures are less than 400 psi. I regularly top up my bicycle shocks with a pump rated for that pressure.

 

[PADDO]

Great info. I didn't know about these, but that was exactly what I was thinking. Including the bleeding for the recharging on the vehicle without removal of the spheres.

My plan was to use stock shock Schraeder Valves and zero-loss refill adapter. For around $120 the spheres could be made rechargeable.

This would be a DIY refill. The pressures are less than 400 psi. I regularly top up my bicycle shocks with a pump rated for that pressure.

For sure the pressures involved are child’s play stuff, I was thinking it would be challenging to offer a recharge service and try and meet clients uniformed and unreasonable expectations...ie “my 20 year old globes were perfect (not) then you recharged them and one failed so gimme a new OEM system”

 

[Patryk]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here and I much appreciate this topic, that I have been following for some time.

I own a LC100 since brand new (2002 production year). Only recently (after 360tkm and 15 years) the suspension started to lose capacity.

So I can share with you some observations.
I decided to give a try to refilling the original spheres. It was done under my supervision by a leading company working on hydraulic suspensions (Rolls Royce, Porsche 959 etc), so I am sure about their skills, machinery and experience.

After refilling the spheres they behaved properly, when left for several hours with the pressure gauge installed. It seemed that the diaphragm is ok, the gas was not escaping.

After fitting them back at the car, first it seemed that the suspension works fine again. But after two/three days, first, one sphere went down (got almost rock solid), then another. Then I purchased a set of used spheres (with unknow mileage). The whole story repeated - the diaphragm seemed to be fine (when checking both from outside and inside and then under pressure), but again after few days, they started loosing pressure. After checking them again, it seems that the diaphragms were broken.

Summing up, in my case, on an example of 8 spheres - it is - like Paddo wrote - very risky to refill old spheres. You never know which one will work and for how long. Does not matter if you "know" the particular sphere since brand new or you buy it off shelf.

 

[Patryk]

My question now is: where best=cheaply buy OE spheres???

I have been in touch with Amayama for the past two weeks, and the spheres are not availble now and they cannot tell when they will be...

 

[kolyo]

My question now is: where best=cheaply buy OE spheres???

I have been in touch with Amayama for the past two weeks, and the spheres are not availble now and they cannot tell when they will be...

I've researched EU sources and came up with a choice between these three:
WTV-UK = Manufacture & Official Agent/Distributor

Pleiades suspension spheres

http://www.euro4x4parts.com/toyota_...007/5_suspension_steering/S/suspension_sphere

How come the last one is so much more expensive?

The cheapest option is Pleiades but I will ask them if their product has a production date stamp. Anyone with a long term experience using them?

 

[uHu]

I've researched EU sources and came up with a choice between these three:
WTV-UK = Manufacture & Official Agent/Distributor

Pleiades suspension spheres

http://www.euro4x4parts.com/toyota_...007/5_suspension_steering/S/suspension_sphere

How come the last one is so much more expensive?

The cheapest option is Pleiades but I will ask them if their product has a production date stamp. Anyone with a long term experience using them?

If you have a look at landcruiserclub.net, search pleiades, you will find some long term experience with pleiades. They use citroen spheres, which in their original application carry the whole weight of the car. On the heavier cruiser, they carry less than the whole truck, and the spheres are adapted to fit both mechanically and pressure-wise. I can't see why the citroen spheres wouldn't last as long as the t0yota ones.
The WTV solution I don't understand. The pressure of the ahc system is not changed by fitting different spheres. Too high or too low pressure in the spheres only reduces the suspension travel.
The euro4x4 sells OE spheres. Great company btw, excellent service.

 

[kolyo]

If you have a look at landcruiserclub.net, search pleiades, you will find some long term experience with pleiades. They use citroen spheres, which in their original application carry the whole weight of the car.

Hi @uHu, and thanks for your advice. Excellent reviews at landcruiserclub.net of Pleiades spheres and Martin's credentials. I'll get mine from him.

 

[NC-Grayson]

just a bump, amayama is still w/o a MSDS so they can not ship to the US at this time.

I wonder if they can't ship OUT of japan, or they can't ship INTO the US with these things. Wouldn't these technically qualify as gas filled suspension, which they can ship? I wonder if they're getting hung up on the "air bag" idea

 

[dwh13]

Just to add my .02, I installed the Pleiades spheres on my truck last week and they installed and operate flawlessly. In the original post, it was mentioned that they aren't tech savvy and aren't set up for worldwide shipping, which put me off of them for a while. Once I decided to get it contact with them, they were very responsive through email and the purchasing/shipping was a breeze. I also recommend following them on Facebook, it's pretty entertaining - they post pictures of jobs they work on and it's fun to see European cars they work on.

FWIW - grand total shipped was GBP 505 - worked out to about $720 with the exchange rate. Less than some people wanted for their 10 year old + used globes

 

[flintknapper]

Just to add my .02, I installed the Pleiades spheres on my truck last week and they installed and operate flawlessly. In the original post, it was mentioned that they aren't tech savvy and aren't set up for worldwide shipping, which put me off of them for a while. Once I decided to get it contact with them, they were very responsive through email and the purchasing/shipping was a breeze. I also recommend following them on Facebook, it's pretty entertaining - they post pictures of jobs they work on and it's fun to see European cars they work on.

FWIW - grand total shipped was GBP 505 - worked out to about $720 with the exchange rate. Less than some people wanted for their 10 year old + used globes

^^^^^^^^ Thanks for the follow up. Very interested in these myself. If/when you get a chance to adjust your front and rear pressures...let us know what effect that has as well.

 

[dwh13]

^^^^^^^^ Thanks for the follow up. Very interested in these myself. If/when you get a chance to adjust your front and rear pressures...let us know what effect that has as well.

Will do. The ride is almost where I want it, but I know it needs new rear springs so I’ll dial everything in once I put those on.

 

[ChuckB]

I also just installed the Pleiades spheres. Hardest part of the install was getting the old ones off. Definitely recommend a hammer and chisel.

I’ll follow up with a quick review.

 

[NC-Grayson]

Just to update this i bought oem spheres from ebay user fastpartshipping and rhey were delivered eithin 72 hours and I wish i had done it lightyears ago!!!!!

 

[flintknapper]

I also just installed the Pleiades spheres. Hardest part of the install was getting the old ones off. Definitely recommend a hammer and chisel.

I’ll follow up with a quick review.

Does the Pleiades sphere have a hex nut (36mm) at the bottom like the Toyota OEM....or do you have to install it using a strap/chain wrench? I don't remember anyone commenting on that.

 

[NC-Grayson]

Cant speak directly to the pleaides as far as the hex nut...but i can say that a solid hand tight plus 1/4 turn should be sufficient in installing the new globes. I used nothing with my oems....just got them as tight as hand tight could go and that should be plenty sufficient. I had a strap wrench on hand but they were so slippery with ahc fluid nothing would grab but brute strength and mechanix wear gloves. After 1000+ miles theyre still tight as can be. They shouldnt back out as theyre not under any tension or compression

 

[MongooseGA]

I'm in the market for these in the next few weeks. Looks like the Euroland guys will be getting the business.

I just e-mailed Pleaides to see if they offered different application levels like the LPG vendor. I'd be highly interested in a middle ground upgrade for additional payload and off road capabilities. Anyone who's used them, (maybe I've missed it in this thread) do they offer this sort of option with their pricing? Seems like they're about $100 cheaper than LPG.

Thanks

 

[ChuckB]

(Apologize in advance for the quick post, in the process of moving from Spain to Guam...)

They are not exactly the same at the connection point (see photo below). We also could not get or find a filter/fan wrench that would work. Ended up hand tightening and then using a ratchet strap, block of wood for some friction and tightening it that way.

Unfortunately I only had three days to drive around after install. I had to ship the Cruiser halfway around the world and waited until the last minute to did the accumulator install. Felt much better but I think I need to play with the pressures now. I believe I need to crank the TBs a little bit down and actually increase the pressure in the front. I had previously set everything up for cranked TBs with new rear springs and spacers. Everything was dialed in perfectly height and pressure-wise. This made a huge difference from where I started. Then realized after doing all that my accumulators were bad. In hindsight I wish I would have done everything at the same time to include new accumulators.

On the pre/post graduation test, I went from 7/8 to 13/14 which was a great improvement. I now have new Pleiades Accumulators, new OEM AHC rear Springs and Slee 30mm Spacers installed.

 

[MongooseGA]

My new spheres arrived from WTV-UK today. I ordered on Friday, they were shipped on Monday. Very impressed with the turn around time from across the pond.

I have my old units soaking in PBB right now but I'll get started installing tonight. Can't wait!