Hello Everyone, new member here! Glad to have found this community.

2005 GX470
Driver’s Side was sitting 3/4” lower than passenger side. I adjusted the ride height sensor and the vehicle did not respond to its movement. The air springs were dry rotted/cracked so I replaced them as well as both ride height sensors. Started the vehicle and the compressor did not turn on automatically, so I raised the height to high (which was really normal/neutral) using the switch and they aired up. Lowered the vehicle to the ground, and it drove like a brand new GX. The auto leveling was not functioning, so I reset the air system by jumping OBDII pins #4 and #13 and pressing the brake pedal 8 times. The auto leveling now works but it is not as responsive as before. Unfortunately, the vehicle is still 3/4” lower on the driver’s side no matter how I adjust the sensors. I am curious to learn how it is adjusting height if the sensors are not working properly. I do not have any knowledge on how to resolve this issue. Is it a faulty suspension computer? Is it a faulty wiring harness? Or something more obvious?

Any advice or help with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Where are you measuring from, the ground is not going to be consistent. Lexus has a spec from a control arm to wheel center,

 

Yes, I did that measurement. I should have mentioned that. It’s difficult to get the measurement down to the millimeter but the C-D calculation from the attached diagram shows that the passenger side is approximately 15mm higher than driver.




Driver’s side is sitting low according the tolerance in the table.

Any other suggestions?

 

That's overcomplicated. Measure from the center of the wheel hub straight up to the fender lip. Takes tire inflation out of the equation.

Chip H.

 

Either way, its higher on passenger side. I might have to bring it to the dealership or someone with a professional scanner to have the suspension system scanned.

 

The vehicle was sitting low and it would bottom out when driving over the slightest bump at 25mph sending me and my passengers flying in the air. It felt great on the highway, but around town it was unacceptable. Good news is I was able to raise the driver’s side. I removed the ride height sensor linkage and extended the threaded rods out 1/4” each way (this is just about as far as they will safely go). I used removable thread locker as a precaution. BUT another problem has arisen. Now, the passenger side ride height sensor is not responding to movement. The vehicle was still higher on the passenger side, so I tried to lower the passenger side sensor to even the car out but no response.

The vehicle rides smoothly, but I won’t be satisfied until it’s level. Next step is to understand exactly how the electronics function. In what order does the system function? I am guessing in simple terms it communicates like this: Suspension ECU > Ride Height Sensor > Suspension ECU > Compressor > Suspension ECU > Solenoid Valve. I will look for the wiring diagram.

 

Notice the same issue with mine. Driver side is 3/4" lower in front. Rear is level. I see so many things it can be. First thought was to disconnect the electronics. It is nothing but ice and 15 degrees out right now so not attempting it. Will let you know about my findings when I do though. Please keep us up to date on any findings. Good luck!

 

The weather is the same by me, definitely can’t work on it today. In your case, it’s likely not an electrical issue. The front electronics only control the damping intensity of the shock absorber within the strut assembly. Thus, the front suspension is fixed height, but it is effected by the rear air spring height since the vehicle is quite rigid. Are you certain your rear is level? If so, you may have a worn coil spring or another mechanical suspension component may be misaligned or broken.

 

Did some poking around. I got 203k. Just got it and pretty sure it was neglected. Looks like the original struts and springs. Single person owned it so it would make sense that the driver side would be more worn than passenger side. Don't mean to hijack the post but can you recommend a good (not great) set of springs if I go with Bilstein 5100's up front?
Not looking to go rock climbing but want the smooth ride with the ability to go off-road if SHTF. LOL

 

Here’s an update.

After a few hundred miles of driving, I checked the rear again and it was perfectly level. Then, after driving another 70 miles, I checked again, and it was back to being uneven. The sensors are firmly set. This must be an electrical problem.

 

Are you checking it with engine running? Compressor running? Usually after I get out I can hear it letting air out…not sure how the sensors respond after i shut engine off.

 

I have checked it with the engine running. The compressor functions well. It just sits unevenly and the passenger side does not respond to manual adjustment of the ride height sensor using the nut and slider. The system stays on for a specified amount of time after the ignition is shut off. Sometimes the solenoid releases air when I get out, but usually it does not. It always releases air when I have passengers in the back and they all get out.

 

Reading this, my thought is it must be an airbag problem. They get old and develop cracks/holes that depending on how the bag is sitting can leak, or be sealed. This explains why it's level at times, and uneven at other times.

 

The air springs are brand new. I replaced them a few weeks ago along with the ride height sensors. This uneven issue occurred with the old and new parts.

 

What's the condition of the air line from the valve to the spring?

Chip H.