007vikes

I felt the ride to be extremely bouncy, and when checking, I noticed that the entire rear half of the car was slumped down and the suspension was no longer visible. Seemed like it just happened overnight. I saw a few different posts online and on YouTube, and apparently it might be due to a problem with the ride height sensor or the AHC system...would I be getting a warning light on the dash if that were the case? I have no warning light at all, and after getting into the car I see the front half of the car automatically adjusting the height like it always does after getting in and out. However, I also noticed while just having it on idle that it was constantly engaging the AHC as if it was trying to raise/lower the car but it couldn't do so.

Could this be something other than the ride height sensor or the AHC system? Maybe an AHC oil reservoir leak? If so, what would it cost to fix?

hankinid

Are you seeing any signs of leakage around the rear shocks and/or the plumbing? If your reservoir is leaking, you should see AHC fluid under and / or around the reservoir.

tlhicks

Sounds expensive what ever it is. Might be time for a strutmaster conversion? https://www.strutmasters.com/suspens.../lexus-lx-470/

007vikes

I didn't notice any leakage when I looked down there. Towing it to the my usual place, so I'll see what they say. Fingers crossed that it's something minor.

I did ask about the suspension conversion, was told it would cost around $3500 to do it at the shop. Judging by the price, it seems like a very advanced job...did you do a conversion by yourself?

hankinid

I've driven a 100 series converted to Strutmaster and was not impressed. I'd take a look in a couple of directions...probably an OME suspension, available for normally loaded, medium loaded, or very heavily loaded. On the other end, Land Cruiser torsion bars, Bilstein or KYB gas shocks, and LC rear springs.


$3500 should include parts and labor, and it would be great if your mechanic has removed AHC in the past. I'd suggest you call Slee Offroad http://sleeoffroad.com/products/100_suspension.htm , talk to Christo or one his guys for 15-20 minutes...nothing to lose and well worth your time. Looks like their selection of kits runs around $1200 + shipping, or ~ $1700 or so if you upgrade the upper control arms, Read and understand this http://sleeoffroad.com/products/100_suspension_details.htm before you call and they'll be impressed. Given parts pricing, I'd say $3500 should definitely do it but it's on the high side imo. I helped a neighbor with a medium load kit on a Land Cruiser...same deal here but in addition you remove the AHC pump, accumulator, the 4 globes, and associated plumbing. You also need to pull a fuse or 2 so you don't get CEL's. It's a DIY job if you've got some wrenching experience. A lift would probably cut your r&r time in half.

Check the 100 series on mud...there is a TON of info there.

​​​​​​​hth

report back with what you do.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Any reason why you mentioned OME and not the OEM Land Cruiser conventional suspension setup when converting from AHC to standard suspension?

Hear OME alot, but reviews are mixed and doesn't OME give you a lift of a few inches over stock? If so, than I know not everybody wants a lift.

hankinid

As shown on Slee's webpage, OME starts with a 1.5" lift. If you don't want a lift, I also suggested OEM Toyota Land Cruiser torsion bars, rear springs, and shocks of your choice.

hth

Steve

007vikes

It apparently fixed itself when I got it towed to my usual place. I got a call from them saying it was working perfectly and they were not able to replicate the problem. Nothing in the documentation indicated that outdoor temperature shift had anything to do with it (since around that time it got really cold within a couple days). They also did a test drive and didn't feel any extreme bounciness. I don't know much about suspension systems, but maybe the way it was put on the tow truck had something to do with it. The mechanic said the rear sensors were likely already replaced at some point in the past, and that the front suspension system had a minor leak. Advised that I should probably leave it be, unless I wanted to do the Land Cruiser conversion. So far it's still going fine.

I did start noticing some noise from the engine bay when starting it up, will post about it soon.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

It's good to hear that it's fine now.

How pricey is the Landcruiser OEM suspension conversion? I figure that's what I will do when I get an LX470.

hankinid

See post #7 for some options. If you're thinking of changing to an oem Land Cruiser suspension, you can get pricing on any online parts source.

gcam77

My 1999 LX470 has been leaking suspension at vary rates for about 2 months. Sometimes it will go for two weeks without any need for topping up and other times I had to fill it with a quart or 2 of fluid and it would dump it in 2 days. Seeing the age of the car and it having some rust, I decided to convert to land cruiser suspension and I could not be happier. The ride is not much different from the LX before conversion. I went with all new parts except for the torsion bars, they were $316.48 each, got them for $75 used.

Here is the parts list with prices:-

48511-69585 - Front Shock Absorber w\ Nut and 2 Rubber Cushions - $32.14 x 2 = $64.28
90948-02174 - Front Shock Retainer Plates - $10.79 x 4 = $43.16
90948-02176 - Front Shock Retainer Plates - $8.06 x 2 = $16.12
90948-02182 - Front Shock Retainer Plates - $9.68 x 2 = $19.36

48162-60030 - LEFT Torsion Bar - $316.48
48161-60030 - RIGHT Torsion Bar - $316.48

48531-69557 - Rear Shock Absorber w\ Nut and 2 Rubber Cushions - $22.17 x 2 = $44.34
90948-02173 - Rear Shock Retainer Plates - $7.28 x 4 = $29.12
90948-02170 - Rear Shock Retainer Plates - $7.28 x 2 - $14.56
90948-02184 - Rear Shock Retainer Plates - $7.28x 2 - $14.56

48231-6A680 - RIGHT Rear Coil Spring - $166.52
48231-6A690 - LEFT Rear Coil Spring - $171.30


Hope this helps.

silverbul

I had a similar problem in my 03 LX. Yours sagged while mine was raised high in the air. All I did was disconnected the sensor, opened it up and cleaned with alcohol and put back together. So far so good no problems