Yet another AHC post

[etarasoff]

We recently acquired a 2000 LX with 88K. The suspension is not as smooth as I would expect and not as nice as a 1998 LC I drove a few years ago (although my memory may be a little unreliable/subjective at this point). Most notably, driving over small potholes and/or expansion joints produces more harshness/thudding than I would expect.

Here's where I'm at so far.

AHC low/high movement:
Works

Low/High Fluid Reservoir test:
About 10 graduation marks - should indicate accumulators are not flat?

Fluid Condition in Reservoir:
Looks to be a little over filled. Fluid looks brownish, dirty and very foamy (like soap suds) looking in.

Comfort/Sport Setting Dial:
Has no effect whatsoever as far as I can tell.

Tires:
< 1000 miles and at correct pressure (just under 30PSI in front and just over in rear)

Since the fluid looks so terrible, I guess I'll plan on changing that out first. I'll also be checking out the wheel bearings soon as one guy mentioned that was his ultimate issue after replacing nearly all AHC components.

I'll report back after the fluid change...one thing that has been a little frustrating are the numerous posts where someone says they'll try something and then never come back to say if that fixed the issue or not!

Any thoughts/ideas/input?

 

[PADDO]

Exchanging the fluid first off sounds like a plan. I've done mine twice, once at 67k then just recently at 112k. The old fluid has been dark, tired and dirty looking, but never foamy. I'd be concerned about previous contamination with something other than AHC fluid?

 

[etarasoff]

The plot thins...

Just opened an account on the "Lexus Drivers" and was able to view all of the past dealer service visits from the PO.

The very last entry:

"VEHICLE RIDES VERY FIRM HARD, TEST"

This was done right after the 90K service and timing belt were done. My guess is the PO had just shelled out maybe ~$2K to the CA Lexus dealer for the 90K service and then got the shock of a lifetime when the dealer probably recommended some $4-7K total R&R of the AHC system...then decided to ditch it.

Since the PO was also the original owner, at least that does confirm for me that there is an issue that needs to be resolved and that it's not riding like it should. We'll see how the fluid repair goes. Beyond that, any maybe checking a couple of minor other things, I guess it comes down to new spheres or doing a conversion to non-AHC (and getting MudRak which is just 30 min away in Sonoma to do it).

 

[etarasoff]

Oh man, just drove from Sonoma County to Berkeley today. Ride is so stiff. Every little thing in the road telegraphs right up. Not enjoyable to drive. My Porsche has way more foregiveness than this thing right now.

Will probably be another week until my AHC fluid arrives.

 

[PADDO]

While you're waiting for the new fluid why not crack open each bleed point, starting on the main accumulator, to see if there is any entrained air? Don't need to drop much fluid at all, but might reveal something? Just a thought. On my last AHC exchange I had a small amount of air in the system and I know that it hadn't been run low on fluid or messed with in any other way between fluid exchanges.