ogjohnsmit

Well it’s been about a year since I purchased my 2004 LX with 125k miles and now at 135k miles I have nothing but good news to report, the LX has been rock solid.

I purchased Techstream software and cable so I could level the AHC and keep the hydraulic line pressures within factory specifications. I was able to adjust the height and line pressure on the front-end by adjusting the torsion bars, however on the rear-end I needed new springs at $400 to bring the rear hydraulic line pressure back to factory spec. Since they were doing the rear springs I had them do the CV boots up front because there was a slight seeping of grease around the edges on one side but the boot was still perfectly intact and probably would have lasted quite a while longer. I got my oil changed and tires rotated too all at the same time for about $1,200.

So total cost of ownership for the year was really just the oil change because I wouldn’t think you’d factor the cost of mods. Oh, and the new chrome LX570 wheels and tires cost me $2k.

toddmorr

nice, esp those wheels. And yes they are rock solid vehicles.. Curious why you replaced the rear springs as opposed to just putting in spacers?

ogjohnsmit

Thanks, the chrome LX570 wheels really modernized the look, one of my co-workers actually thought it was a new LX. I originally thought moving to a 20 inch wheel would impact the ride but it didn’t, it rides just as smooth now as it did with the stock 18s.

I did a lot of research on the AHC and it seems the systems eventually fail because of constant high hydraulic pressure levels due to sagging springs and torsion bars. When I hooked up the Techstream software, what I found was the system pressure was about 2 points higher on the front and rear than factory spec.

I raised the front-end to level by adjusting the height control module and brought the line pressure back to factory spec by adjusting the torsion bars. I did research air bags or spacers at first but new OEM springs seemed the best way to go to bring the pressure levels back in check for another smooth and trouble free 100k miles.

toddmorr

hmm interesting.....I get the logic and have more or less the same issue and diagnostics as you. I was on a path to just buy a 30mm spacer to remedy the rear. The spacers are something like 50 bucks a pair versus the higher cost of the new springs. I guess theoretically the spacers might yield a somewhat firmer ride but probably minimally so. Are there other reasons why you went the new spring route?

ogjohnsmit

I went the route of new springs vs. other options because I felt this was the best way to maintain the OEM ride, spring rates, and AHC line pressure without involving guesswork.