View Poll Results: Does it work?? Did it ever break??Repaired??
Yes it Broke and had it reapired....
73
27.55%
NO. The Suspension works like a charm...
176
66.42%
YES, my AIR CONTROLLER broke it...
16
6.04%
Voters: 265. You may not vote on this poll
LS430 UL with Air Suspension...Post your Issues Here
06-07-10, 11:24 AM
#76
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...to-go-bad.html
06-12-10, 10:17 PM
#77
air supension issue
Well, after having a ride height sensor replaced two weeks ago, turns out my right front shock is toast at 36k miles. Approximately $1200 to replace.
As I plan to keep this vehicle a long time, I am biting the bullet and have all four corners replaced with OE struts/springs. I have gone with HKS coilovers in the past, but the roads up here in the Northeast suck and are getting worse, so going to stick with the stock suspension components.
My only concern about getting a 430 with the UL package was the air suspension, and sadly, my suspicions turned out to be correct. I'm taking care of it though!
Absolutely love the car otherwise, and I'll be much happier not having to worry about another $1200 shock or $300 sensor going bad as time goes on.
As I plan to keep this vehicle a long time, I am biting the bullet and have all four corners replaced with OE struts/springs. I have gone with HKS coilovers in the past, but the roads up here in the Northeast suck and are getting worse, so going to stick with the stock suspension components.
My only concern about getting a 430 with the UL package was the air suspension, and sadly, my suspicions turned out to be correct. I'm taking care of it though!
Absolutely love the car otherwise, and I'll be much happier not having to worry about another $1200 shock or $300 sensor going bad as time goes on.
how much does it cost to replace all to OE strut/springs. did you get it done at lexus dealership.
Thanks
07-01-10, 05:41 PM
#78
After my first oil change I looked at the rear shocks and saw that oily residue on the shock body. I guess that's the first sign that these things are going bad. Thankfully I got the Platinum extended warranty, so I'll get those taken care of asap.
Are the front shocks the same way when going bad? (oily residue)
Are the front shocks the same way when going bad? (oily residue)
07-10-10, 01:43 PM
#82
with all of the aftermarket air struts, add on bag, etc available why are you guys paying such high prices for factory parts....usually I would agree with OEM parts but in this case I would think a rebuild-able strut and bag assembly would be a less expensive option now and in the future ( down the road rebuild uas/ksport set-up for $200 per corner) the factory compressor and air control/valve assemblies are the best though, has anyone seen a failure on those?
Last edited by jzz30fan; 07-10-10 at 01:45 PM. Reason: left out a question
07-10-10, 04:46 PM
#83
with all of the aftermarket air struts, add on bag, etc available why are you guys paying such high prices for factory parts....usually I would agree with OEM parts but in this case I would think a rebuild-able strut and bag assembly would be a less expensive option now and in the future ( down the road rebuild uas/ksport set-up for $200 per corner) the factory compressor and air control/valve assemblies are the best though, has anyone seen a failure on those?
07-10-10, 07:37 PM
#84
After my first oil change I looked at the rear shocks and saw that oily residue on the shock body. I guess that's the first sign that these things are going bad. Thankfully I got the Platinum extended warranty, so I'll get those taken care of asap.
Are the front shocks the same way when going bad? (oily residue)
Are the front shocks the same way when going bad? (oily residue)
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aypues (10-28-23)
07-15-10, 07:25 PM
#85
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I just purchased a 2004 UL from a lexus dealer in cali. My previous car was an 1996 LS and had never driven an air ride car. On my drive to Phx from cali I thought the car rode bad but wasn't sure if it was just how air rode or something bad in the suspension. After checking the car out I have found it to have 3 bad struts! I called lexus customer care about the problem because the car was out of warranty and I had just purchased it from a lexus dealer with 62,000 miles on it. It was a nightmare just trying to get someone on the phone and had a horrible experience dealing with lexus. Needless to say after almost 3 weeks of trying to get these junk struts warrantied they would only cover 50% of 2 struts. I had to take the car to Chandler lexus to have it inspected and received excellent service from everyone there. Do not buy a UL without it being certified or an extended warranty! I got a quote for $6300 to replace all 4 struts which is what the car really needs. I guess in the long run it works out because I am replacing everything with more adjustable parts but never thought I would have to do it this soon 
I am very disappointed in the quality of these struts, after 12 years of being a mechanic I have never seen struts blow this fast. I have Tein sedan flex on the way from japan an plan on installing UAS bags on them. Good luck to everyone else and their stock struts. I recommend buying a modern lux model instead of UL and it would be a much better car in the long run.
I am very disappointed in the quality of these struts, after 12 years of being a mechanic I have never seen struts blow this fast. I have Tein sedan flex on the way from japan an plan on installing UAS bags on them. Good luck to everyone else and their stock struts. I recommend buying a modern lux model instead of UL and it would be a much better car in the long run.
07-17-10, 10:23 AM
#86
I just purchased a 2004 UL from a lexus dealer in cali. My previous car was an 1996 LS and had never driven an air ride car. On my drive to Phx from cali I thought the car rode bad but wasn't sure if it was just how air rode or something bad in the suspension. After checking the car out I have found it to have 3 bad struts! I called lexus customer care about the problem because the car was out of warranty and I had just purchased it from a lexus dealer with 62,000 miles on it. It was a nightmare just trying to get someone on the phone and had a horrible experience dealing with lexus. Needless to say after almost 3 weeks of trying to get these junk struts warrantied they would only cover 50% of 2 struts. I had to take the car to Chandler lexus to have it inspected and received excellent service from everyone there. Do not buy a UL without it being certified or an extended warranty! I got a quote for $6300 to replace all 4 struts which is what the car really needs. I guess in the long run it works out because I am replacing everything with more adjustable parts but never thought I would have to do it this soon I am very disappointed in the quality of these struts, after 12 years of being a mechanic I have never seen struts blow this fast. I have Tein sedan flex on the way from japan an plan on installing UAS bags on them. Good luck to everyone else and their stock struts. I recommend buying a modern lux model instead of UL and it would be a much better car in the long run.
I am very disappointed in the quality of these struts, after 12 years of being a mechanic I have never seen struts blow this fast. I have Tein sedan flex on the way from japan an plan on installing UAS bags on them. Good luck to everyone else and their stock struts. I recommend buying a modern lux model instead of UL and it would be a much better car in the long run.
some members have gone over 100k on oem struts
I'm not defending lexus too much here but if you look at the mercedes w220 forum, a good majority of the posts are all about the early failings of their air suspensions-talk about crappy quality
Take a look there and see what you can see about lexus air struts.
from what I gather, lexus air stuts do hold up better and longer than mbs-that's my comparison
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kelleher2 (03-18-18)
07-19-10, 09:38 AM
#87
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so is it possible to change out the air-suspension on a UL for normal coil springs? Are the UL's specifically designed only for air? what about all those buttons?! ha.
07-19-10, 05:52 PM
#88
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Yes, I converted my suspension over to non-air stock springs/shocks. The control buttons just become non-functional.
Some on the forum have questioned why spend the extra money for OEM springs/shocks when there are less expensive or higher performance options available more cheaply. I just decided to spend the money and get the OEm Toyota parts, but there are lots of other options out there.
Some on the forum have questioned why spend the extra money for OEM springs/shocks when there are less expensive or higher performance options available more cheaply. I just decided to spend the money and get the OEm Toyota parts, but there are lots of other options out there.
07-19-10, 06:19 PM
#89
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Rear air suspension
Yes, Both of mine went out,i have a 2005 with 46,000, still under the certified warranty so i paid zero. it cost Lexus $2510.00. with that said the certified warranty has paid for itself. I will have the front suspension checked now that i know this is a problem area.