amccaulx

RCsGX, thanks for your help on this and answering my questions!

Since this noise happens with the Front and Rear wheels, I am thinking about replacing the Rear Shocks and Sway Bar Bushings if the KDSS checks out ok from the dealer.

It is about $200 for those parts, which is probley cheaper then getting it diagnosed, and could likely be the issue. Plus with 80k miles, the shocks are probley tired anyways. The noise is actually worse in the rear, so if this fixes the problem I will have a good idea on the cause.

Replacing the rear shocks seems pretty easy and straight forward, and I am pretty sure I can do it myself, but wanted to make sure I am doing it properly so I don't screw anything up.

1. Turn off Auto Level, and jack up the rear, and support the rear frame with Jackstands.
2. Support the Rear Axle with a jack on the side that I am replacing the shock on.
3. Remove the bottom bolt that connects the shock to the Rear Axle
4. Remove the top nut that connects the top of the shock to the frame
5. Remove Old Shock

6. Insert the top part of the new shock to the frame and torque the nut factory torque specs
7. Temp insert the bolt on on the bottom of the shock to the frame
8. Do Steps 2-7 for the other side
9. Lower car and settle the suspension
10. While still on Ground, tighten bottom shock bolt to factory torque specs

ALAN553

forget the part about removing the top nut....get a sawzall...cut the shaft off. that way it will take you 15 mins to replace the shock vs 3 days trying to get that top nut off. make sure you get some new washers for the top bushings becasue you won't be getting that nut off to retrieve the old ones. the new shock does not come with the washers.

RCsGX

*Don't forget to unplug the shock before removing and plugging the new one back in if going w/ OEM.


Yep your steps look good. I chose to put the bottom bolt in first because I found it easier to compress the shock and locate the top shaft hole vs. the bottom bolt hole. Either way is fine though. Also once I put the frame on jack stands I put the jack under the rear diff and did both sides by raising / lowering the rear axle. You can do it your way too but doing it under the rear diff is one less step moving it from the right side to the left..again, either way is fine though.

And as long as your GX isn't / won't be running while you're jacking it up you don't have to turn the height control off.


I'm lucky my GX was a Texas truck. I was able to remove the top bolts and only had to use my hand to stop the shocks from turning vs a pipe wrench.

I'm glad because if the Bilsteins ever need replacing I can throw the stocks back on until the new ones arrive.

amccaulx

So you had the rear axle supported at all times while removing and installing the shock right? If you lower the axle too far do you have to worry about the airbags popping/falling out? Also, did you compress the shock by hand to get the top shaft in, or did you use some other method?

I am thinking of the Bilstien 5100s, but this is my wifes car so I don't want a lift. Do you think the 5100s would be good, or should I do the 4600s?

Thanks!

MidniteGX

According to another member, the 4600s could be the same as the 5100s only with black paint. Check out the other thread "2007 GX shocks and struts".
Unfortunately, when the manufacturer was questioned they didn't answer back with enough clarity to support suspicions that they are the same but the possibility still remains.

RCsGX

..........

amccaulx

So I finally took the GX into the dealer for diagnosis. Basically the front driver shock is blown, and the other 3 are seeping, and are probley not far from going out. Just for them to replace the 1 blown shock was $546!!!! To replace all 4 would be $2,840!!! They also saw some seepage from the rear KDSS actuator, but don't think it is bad enough to replace yet, but when it does go, it is $1,596 to replace the rear actuator and bleed the system!!! That right there is reason enough not to seek out a GX with KDSS!

My plan is to replace all 4 shocks with Bilstien 5100s. For $380 I can get a full set from Shock Warehouse. Metal Tech said they will install all 4 for $300, however I may do the rears myself, and I am debating on whether I want to attempt the fronts.

stiles_s

Very curious to hear your impressions after you get the 5100s installed all round. You'll be one of the first.

RCsGX

Someone brought that up in the past and you had KDSS owners come back and say there's no evidence of them failing etc etc etc. The problem is, a lot of GXs are just now getting up there in age / mileage so it's only natural to see some failing components within the KDSS system.

Glad I passed up the 3 sport package GX's and held out for a white one.

stiles_s

It'll be interesting to watch, for sure. Any hydraulic system like this is bound to fail at some point. I spent a decent amount of time driving GX's before I bought (new in '07) and just couldn't deal with the lean & softness in the non-KDSS trucks. The massive swaybars make a huge difference -- for me -- in terms of giving the rig fairly capable handling for such a pig.

I've been wondering if there's a way to remove or "lock out" the hydraulics. I'd be just fine w/losing the slow-speed articulation of a disconnected swaybar the hydraulics afford.

amccaulx

The problem with the KDSS is it cost $600 to just bleed the system, and that needs to be done anytime anything is replaced/worked on. Also, really only Toyota and Lexus dealerships can do work on, or are willing to even touch these systems, and even at that, very few people at the dealers know much about them.

I will have to say though that KDSS's thick sway bars make the GX handle almost like a sports car on the back roads. Even with my old blown suspension, I can really toss that thing into corners with no drama. That being said, it is just another expensive system to worry about failing, which with this GX, I am starting to get worried about expensive repairs.

My Front Diff is leaking, my Shocks are blown, and my KDSS may have an issue. Then there is the AIP, Integrated NAV, Center Diff Leak, Rear Air Bags, all that could start to go at this mileage, and cost thousands to fix. Seeing a $4,500 repair bill on a $20,000 vehicle I just bought is kinda scary.

It will probley be a few months though before I replace the shocks, but I will update this thread when I do with what I have found.

Thanks RCsGX for answering all of my many suspension questions! You have been a great help!

cejens1

Was anyone able to verify if the swaybar bushings were the cause of the clunk? I have an '09 w/ KDSS and particularly notice the clunk from the rear when driving over rough/uneven roads. It looks like there are four bushings for the rear swaybar, two for the ends and two for the KDSS shock/link assembly. Can anyone confirm changing any/all bushings resolved the issue?

amccaulx

Keep an eye on this thread:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...-rattle-4.html

Lolrax is getting his KDSS Swaybar bushings replaced to attempt to fix this. I will try doing the bushings if the new shocks don't fix the problem. The bushings are $20 a piece from lexus. This thread will give you a good idea on how to replace them.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...-vehicles.html

How many miles are on your 2009? Does adjusting the suspension to "Sport" reduce the occurrence of the clunk? Please keep us updated with what you find.

I have heard of quite a few people with new and newer GX's and 4Runners with KDSS and clunking noises. I wounder if some of the clunk is just the normal feeling of the KDSS doing its thing and allowing the swaybars to move.

If you notice, everyone in this thread that complains about the clunk the OP is describing has KDSS....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...ird-noise.html

RCsGX

Yall should ask some of the KDSS GXs over on ih8mud. They work on their trucks and use them offroad so I'm sure they'll be able to tell you if a clunking sound is normal or not....

http://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/

cejens1

Thanks amccaulx for the info. Looks like this is more common than I initially thought. My wife has an '06 GX non-KDSS and we have never noticed the clunking issue. I recently picked up the '09 KDSS which has 60k and I immediately noticed the clunking, just from the rear when driving over rough/washed out roads. I don't seem to notice a difference when switching the suspension from 'sport' to 'comfort'. It does however seem a little more evident when in the mornings when its colder. I will keep a watch out for the results of Lolrax's bushing replacement. Hopefully its something this simple!