Wife has a 2008 GX470. 158,000 miles. We've (she) had the vehicle for 6-7 years. Ride is getting rougher. Starting at simplest and moving forward to fix ride. Will have tires checked for alignment and balancing first.
2nd is air springs-
I cranked the vehicle and let it run in park and the air springs raised to normal after about 15 seconds. Turned vehicle off and let it sit, and 2 hours later the vehicle was still raised and not resting on the bump stops. 4 hours later the air springs deflated and axle is resting on bump stops. It seems to me I have always remembered it lowering itself though, but maybe not..

Question: Does the GX470 lower itself on purpose as a feature for comfort, or is it supposed to stay in the "normal" mode when ignition is turned off (level concrete with no hauling/trailer)?


God Bless,
David B.

 

Nope, should stay where you left it...

 

OP most likely has a leaking air bag.

 

If it had a kneeling feature it would only go as low as "low" on the low-normal-hi controller button.
Years ago I swore the vehicle had a kneeling feature, where it would deflate to "low" for making it easier for passengers to get in/out and to lower the rear to make it easier to access the rear cargo area.

If yours is deflating to bump stops then you have a air leak. Is it reaching bump stops on both sides?

But it may not be the air bags at all. There's a air control box under the driver-rear quarter, where all the air lines hook into. The valves in that box may become dirty to a point where air can leak.

It's about impossible to bubble-soap the air bags if the shroud is still on. So you might start with the air control box which can be disassembled, cleaned, and a smidge of synthetic oil on the rubber parts (full synth motor oil will work just fine, but literally it's just a very very light coating to lubricate the parts, as in one drop of oil can probably lube everything).

If after the air control box is cleaned out good and put back and the suspension still leaks down, then it's probably the air bags. I recommend the Arnott replacement bags, just know that you do not need to re-use the bag shroud, Arnott says their bags are made truck tough and the shrouds are not needed.

But, it's a slow leak now, so you have a little time to figure it out before it becomes a constant air pump 'on' issue.

Did you eyeball the bump stops? Are they ripped at all? Mine were ripped at the time my OEM air bags went south, so I replaced the bump stops, but before install I filled the air gaps/holes with silicone, let dry overnight, installed.

 

If it is the air springs, be careful...if the compressor starts running too much to fill bags, it will burn out...that’s and extra $500 on top of springs

 

OK. Air leak then, which isn't unusual from what I read for the age and miles on ours.
It is reaching both bump stops on both side.
To my knowledge the compressor isn't running often.

I'll clean the air box controller, and reassemble it. Hopefully tomorrow after church.

It seems I remember being in the garage, a while after my wife got home, and hearing it lowering itself to the bump stops. All the air released at one time.
If this was the case it wouldn't be a leaking airbag, but something else in the system to "release".

God Bless,
David B.

 

Replace both air cylinders. They are leaking. Use Toyota or Lexus OEM part Both are interchangeable.
Parts available via ebay.
If you are handy, YouTube is your friend.
Do your shocks at the same time.
I did this on my wife's 04 GX at 100k miles 2 years ago.

Search for my thread. I will send via separate post.

Tech

 

BOFF, Here is the link to my thread re airbag, F + R shock replacement.

I believe you air bags are leaking where the youtube video indicates.

Good luck w/ your replacement!

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...oem-parts.html

 

Thank you!
Great information.
Just need to locate the shocks and air springs for best prices.

Have a Blessed week!!

Any good places to order the shocks/springs that is reputable and saves money?


God Bless,
David B.

 

My suspension is all new including the height sensors, after I park and turn the ignition off the height decreases by about 1-1.5" every time, these are not leaking it's a controlled stop.. that's what it does.

 

dblshock, This is not normal. After I completed the work described above, the suspension does not sag after the engine is turned off.

You may want to check the air lines from the compressor to each rear air bag.

Occasionally, the compressor will turn on to level the chassis after the car has not been in use, but the height adjustment is very minor.

The air lines are plastic & are a snap fit as I described in my thread. Its conceivable one of the snap fit joints has a small amount of dirt in it

 

BOFF, do aEbay search & also go to the sources I detailed in my thread for parts sourcing.

 

Found OEM Lexus Passenger and Driver's side air springs on Ebay for $178.91 and $191.16 shipped.

Installed and no more deflating at odd times. Vehicle seems to ride better as well.

Though there are 158,000 miles on the shocks, it seems they are doing ok with no leaks detected and the ride is proportionate to the firmness settings being changed.




If I did order new shocks can someone tell me if this is a legitimate OEM shock for the GX470?
Shock is on Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Set...97.m4902.l9144




This picture just looks like a China copy to me



Thanks for all the help!

God Bless,
David B.

 

Not for $300 for the pair, they're not.
Discounted price for just one is $600.

https://www.mylparts.com/v-2004-lexu...ear-suspension

I note that one of their other auctions is for a 20 piece plastic dental impressioning tray...

Chip H.

 

BOFF/David,

Good work on the air bags!

The rear shocks look identical to to ones I used & the part #'s also check out. Prices are coming down. I paid $780 for 2 shocks in Jan 2018.

Even though your shock are not leaking, they are probably worn out. I would recommend replacing & it is an easy job.

If you do the front...a difficult job....you will then have a 'dream ride' again.

Tech