Air suspension!!!
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Air suspension!!!
How is it I have read hundreds of post and replies to issues with the air suspension on the ULs and Lexus has yet to do a campaign on them. Yeah I get it money drives the train but a faulty part is a faulty part. Over $2400 to fix a problem is ridiculous. 
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Basics
If they were going at 25K, 30K, and everyone (on forum with UL) was experiencing it, then there is definitely grounds for a recall or campaign.
Finally, basically the air suspension is a bag in the suspension system that is being filled and released with air. That bag is not indestructable (obviously) it's going to break sooner or later. I would imagine the rougher the road, the more you adjust the level, temperature/weather, etc. will all affect the wearlife of the system.
Yes, we like to say the LS is "bulletproof" but I just don't think it's fair to think that every little mechanical item that will wear down, is something the manufacturer has to cover for life... which is exactly what some people are expecting.
just my 2c worth.
agree completely... if u don't even agree with such possible problems at such mileage u should pick a lower model NOT the UL... mayb ML or CL...
What is considered "faulty?" They're blowing at sometimes around 80K, 120K, some don't go even at 150K. With respect to this great forum, we're also taking the forum members that have issues as being some vast majority, when in fact 100% of the forum may equate to only 10% of the general LS populance.
If they were going at 25K, 30K, and everyone (on forum with UL) was experiencing it, then there is definitely grounds for a recall or campaign.
Finally, basically the air suspension is a bag in the suspension system that is being filled and released with air. That bag is not indestructable (obviously) it's going to break sooner or later. I would imagine the rougher the road, the more you adjust the level, temperature/weather, etc. will all affect the wearlife of the system.
Yes, we like to say the LS is "bulletproof" but I just don't think it's fair to think that every little mechanical item that will wear down, is something the manufacturer has to cover for life... which is exactly what some people are expecting.
just my 2c worth.
If they were going at 25K, 30K, and everyone (on forum with UL) was experiencing it, then there is definitely grounds for a recall or campaign.
Finally, basically the air suspension is a bag in the suspension system that is being filled and released with air. That bag is not indestructable (obviously) it's going to break sooner or later. I would imagine the rougher the road, the more you adjust the level, temperature/weather, etc. will all affect the wearlife of the system.
Yes, we like to say the LS is "bulletproof" but I just don't think it's fair to think that every little mechanical item that will wear down, is something the manufacturer has to cover for life... which is exactly what some people are expecting.
just my 2c worth.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Lower model
Stick to good old reliable struts, and standard back seats. My kids don't need the massaging feature back there anyway.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 34
From: Alabama
Agree that parts will eventually wear out, but not after 4 years or 50k miles. Just sounds like another "bad design" or "low bid" part added to this sedan. If the part was less than $300, you probably would have less people upset about it. As it stands now, no aftermarket parts exist and the OEM part is nearly $1000. That is sickening!
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I understand where you guys are coming from but why fault a person for wanting a UL. I know a part isn't designed to last forever but it should also have some durability. And the cost to replace is ridiculous. I guess you just gotta pay the cost to be the boss. But I'm willing to bet, when a person buys a UL they don't expect to pay $2400 or more to fix their rear shocks.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
That's the thing...
Actually, several people have had problems earlier than this... around the 50-60k mile in some cases.
Agree that parts will eventually wear out, but not after 4 years or 50k miles. Just sounds like another "bad design" or "low bid" part added to this sedan. If the part was less than $300, you probably would have less people upset about it. As it stands now, no aftermarket parts exist and the OEM part is nearly $1000. That is sickening!
Agree that parts will eventually wear out, but not after 4 years or 50k miles. Just sounds like another "bad design" or "low bid" part added to this sedan. If the part was less than $300, you probably would have less people upset about it. As it stands now, no aftermarket parts exist and the OEM part is nearly $1000. That is sickening!
I mean yeah, if I had the UL and my air suspension blew to crud at 50K, I'd be p'd too, but things do break and some times they break because of material variances and there are "lemons" by any manufacturer.
Maybe being a mechanical engineering by study I'm just naturally more forgiving of failures, but to call this a "defect" or "design flaw" is just not correct, for this item.
Would I want my LS to run to 300K with no issues, darn right. If the engine blows at 200K am I going to beeyotch about it? Probably not, just my bad pick to not get the 1M mile motor but the 200K one instead. Shart happens... it just happens.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 89
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From: Georgia
resetting sensors
I just was browsing through the lexus owners club forum and they were posting the height adjustment sensors maybe the issue. Resetting the sensors may fix the problem. Anybody have any experiences with this?
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i understand what u are saying... trust me i have a UL as well c 52K miles... i am afraid of similar problem possibly coming in the future but i bought the car knowing that... i actually wanted a CL but this UL dropped on radar and could not say 'no'... so will cross that bridge when i get to it...
can't u switch it out with coilovers ??? why not do that rather than fix the air again and maybe have same problem later..??
can someone answer about UL air being able to be switched by coilovers...??
can't u switch it out with coilovers ??? why not do that rather than fix the air again and maybe have same problem later..??
can someone answer about UL air being able to be switched by coilovers...??
I understand where you guys are coming from but why fault a person for wanting a UL. I know a part isn't designed to last forever but it should also have some durability. And the cost to replace is ridiculous. I guess you just gotta pay the cost to be the boss. But I'm willing to bet, when a person buys a UL they don't expect to pay $2400 or more to fix their rear shocks.
you can replace the air setup for coilovers for around 1200-1500 for all 4, just like replacing to aftermarket coilovers in any car. also how would one reset the height sensors? i have adjusted my front height sensors manually and am not sure how i would go about resetting them, didn't know you could.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 34
From: Alabama
Regarding the coilovers... i told my wife that i'm facing the dilemma of buying the expensive Lexus air shock or replacing all with coilovers. She said, you bought the UL, you need to maintain it. So, she seems cool about the expense. That is one hurdle... the next will be my common sense on the issue.
On the resilience of the Lexus air shock part. I found this information online at http://www.arnottindustries.com/faq/index.asp
"How long do air suspension parts last?
The air springs normally last 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Over this time, the rubber bladder dries out, and cracks around the bottom piston. Compressors usually wear out due to leaky air springs. For the most part, the computer and height sensors normally last the life of the vehicle."
On the resilience of the Lexus air shock part. I found this information online at http://www.arnottindustries.com/faq/index.asp
"How long do air suspension parts last?
The air springs normally last 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Over this time, the rubber bladder dries out, and cracks around the bottom piston. Compressors usually wear out due to leaky air springs. For the most part, the computer and height sensors normally last the life of the vehicle."
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 34
From: Alabama
Regarding the coilovers... i told my wife that i'm facing the dilemma of buying the expensive Lexus air shock or replacing all with coilovers. She said, you bought the UL, you need to maintain it. So, she seems cool about the expense. That is one hurdle... the next will be my common sense on the issue.
On the resilience of the Lexus air shock part. I found this information online at http://www.arnottindustries.com/faq/index.asp
"How long do air suspension parts last?
The air springs normally last 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Over this time, the rubber bladder dries out, and cracks around the bottom piston. Compressors usually wear out due to leaky air springs. For the most part, the computer and height sensors normally last the life of the vehicle."
On the resilience of the Lexus air shock part. I found this information online at http://www.arnottindustries.com/faq/index.asp
"How long do air suspension parts last?
The air springs normally last 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Over this time, the rubber bladder dries out, and cracks around the bottom piston. Compressors usually wear out due to leaky air springs. For the most part, the computer and height sensors normally last the life of the vehicle."
