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AHC suspension unanswered question


 
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boonie
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 22:10    Post subject: AHC suspension unanswered question Reply with quote

Hi
Done a search on the numerous AHC suspension problems, mine in specific being when I load up with more than 3 passengers and upto 7 onboard, or put a little weight in the rear seating area my vehicle won’t raise above the normal height level or to the highest level. Some times dropping into the low position and remaining there. I have read on numerous posts on this subject that this is normal and is not a problem. Not sure if this is correct but my question is I’m coming back from Cornwall tomorrow 260 mike trip with 5 passengers a dog and suitcases. I want to know if driving my LC in the low mode will cause any damage to the suspension system. Would really appreciate some quick reply’s as I’m supposed to be leaving tomorrow morning. Thanks in advance 👍
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boonie
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 22:15    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ps forgot to mention i have topped up the reservoir fluid to the correct level but st problem persists.
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sim303
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Joined: 04 Aug 2016
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Location: London

PostPosted: Wed May 01, 2019 20:30    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi there

I noticed when I was on a three-week road trip / camping tour with my girlfriend that sometimes the truck would not lift to "H".  It would appear to try, but give up and settle back to "N".  That said, we had a roof-top tent, a load of camping stuff (too much!) not to mention the drawer system I had installed.  I reckon it was on the cusp - sometimes it worked and maybe that was just down to fuel level and perhaps variations in the ground levels at each corner.  I do know that the manual does indicate that the system will cancel above a certain load, but I don't recall the figure (or whether a figure is even stated).  

If you're stuck in the low position, well then I'd be a little more concerned about the health of the suspension system but I don't think you'd do any particular damage, not on normal roads.

HTH

sim303
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steven.miles3
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Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 10:05    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi sim303 & boonie,

I'm sure this has all been coverd many times before.


To know why there are problems with the suspension on you LC 100 you have to know how the suspension system works, there two types of suspension on the AHC (Automatic Hight Control) equipped Land Cruisers, they both need to be working properly to allow the suspension to work, each system is reliant on the other, so neither can work by it's self.

This is the basic and simplified layout of the suspension system that is used on a AHC Land Cruiser 100.

System 1) is mechanical, I.E 2 Coil Springs on the rear and 2 Torsion Bars on the front.

System 2 ) is Hydraulic, not air, I.E 4 hydraulic rams (that look like Shock Absorbers) 1 on each corner, and 4 Accumulators (spheres) also a high pressure pump.


The first step (and the cheapest) is to replace the rear springs (I would advise OME) they are generally worn out at about 70-80 thousand miles, depending on what the car has been used for, the front Torsion Bars are adjustable, once this is sorted you can then progress to test the Hydraulic side of the suspension.

The Accumulators (some people call them Spheres, wrongly) are also consumable and also wear out, they have a rubber bladder inside them, in the closed side of the bladder there is OFN (Oxygen Free Nitrogen, at high pressure)  the other side is open to the Hydraulic system, this rubber bladder wears out (rubber is naturally porous) then the OFN leaks into the hydraulic fluid, so the Accumulators loose their springiness.

Apart from checking the Accumulators, by counting the difference between the graduations on the plastic reservoir, when moving the suspension from low to high, you will need to be a little handy with a spanner, and is also all achievable on the ground on you drive.

Warning, Do Not use anything other than Toyota AHC Fluid, if you use any other fluid you WILL damage the Hydraulic side of the suspension.

Hope this helps.
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RADIOTWO
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Joined: 18 Nov 2005
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Location: GLOSSOP

PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 15:38    Post subject: Reply with quote

steven.miles3 wrote:
Hi sim303 & boonie,

I'm sure this has all been coverd many times before.


To know why there are problems with the suspension on you LC 100 you have to know how the suspension system works, there two types of suspension on the AHC (Automatic Hight Control) equipped Land Cruisers, they both need to be working properly to allow the suspension to work, each system is reliant on the other, so neither can work by it's self.

This is the basic and simplified layout of the suspension system that is used on a AHC Land Cruiser 100.

System 1) is mechanical, I.E 2 Coil Springs on the rear and 2 Torsion Bars on the front.

System 2 ) is Hydraulic, not air, I.E 4 hydraulic rams (that look like Shock Absorbers) 1 on each corner, and 4 Accumulators (spheres) also a high pressure pump.


The first step (and the cheapest) is to replace the rear springs (I would advise OME) they are generally worn out at about 70-80 thousand miles, depending on what the car has been used for, the front Torsion Bars are adjustable, once this is sorted you can then progress to test the Hydraulic side of the suspension.

The Accumulators (some people call them Spheres, wrongly) are also consumable and also wear out, they have a rubber bladder inside them, in the closed side of the bladder there is OFN (Oxygen Free Nitrogen, at high pressure)  the other side is open to the Hydraulic system, this rubber bladder wears out (rubber is naturally porous) then the OFN leaks into the hydraulic fluid, so the Accumulators loose their springiness.

Apart from checking the Accumulators, by counting the difference between the graduations on the plastic reservoir, when moving the suspension from low to high, you will need to be a little handy with a spanner, and is also all achievable on the ground on you drive.

Warning, Do Not use anything other than Toyota AHC Fluid, if you use any other fluid you WILL damage the Hydraulic side of the suspension.

Hope this helps.

This might be the case, but mine has done this from brand new so can not blame the springs, Accumulators, Etc so thats not the whole answer
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steven.miles3
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 16:39    Post subject: Reply with quote

Didn't Toyota fix your suspension problen under warranty when it was new?
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RADIOTWO
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 17:01    Post subject: Reply with quote

steven.miles3 wrote:
Didn't Toyota fix your suspension problen under warranty when it was new?


I was told that how it should be
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hodgy0_2
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Joined: 16 Nov 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 13:29    Post subject: Re: AHC suspension unanswered question Reply with quote

boonie wrote:
Hi
Done a search on the numerous AHC suspension problems, mine in specific being when I load up with more than 3 passengers and upto 7 onboard, or put a little weight in the rear seating area my vehicle won’t raise above the normal height level or to the highest level. Some times dropping into the low position and remaining there. I have read on numerous posts on this subject that this is normal and is not a problem. Not sure if this is correct but my question is I’m coming back from Cornwall tomorrow 260 mike trip with 5 passengers a dog and suitcases. I want to know if driving my LC in the low mode will cause any damage to the suspension system. Would really appreciate some quick reply’s as I’m supposed to be leaving tomorrow morning. Thanks in advance 👍


I have this - but only wen I have 7 adults in the car (and it has always been like this too)

The dash readout indicates a "low" setting - but I actually don't think the car lowers, like it does when you pit it in low using the switch and in fact I have been told that this is a simple "false low" reading when you have a high loading and actually nothing to worry about
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