The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[london mc]

So I just read the whole thread, looks like the gas spheres are the most likely reason for a very bumby/solid ride..

Has anyone changed the spheres on their UK car ? anyone bought the items from the Us that Keith is selling?

Would be very interested in any guidance on best way to replace these items at minimum cost..I have some experience of main delaer prices and am keen to avoid if possible.

Thanks
Tom

[Nor]

The spheres are easy to change.  On mine there are no nuts on the frame holding the spheres.  They are just screwed straight onto the actuators.  Easy job, just that they can be difficult getting a grip on.  Easiest is to get a cheap spanner which fits on the inside of the sphere, was it 36 mm?, and grind it down to fit in the narrow space.
You don't even need to drain the system completely, just take the pressure off.  Although it is a good idea to change the fluid if it hasn't been done lately.
Original spheres were about 2000 £ for four, but I got them 2'nd hand for a quarter of that, with the actuators.
_________________
2004 HDJ100 AHC Auto 158'km, ex 2000 HDJ100, ex 1997 HZJ80GX Africa edition.

[Wandering Willy]

I can't offer any sort of guarantee regarding this company and it's products but I came across them when looking into the active suspension problems described here. See:-

http://www.activesuspensionsystems.com/

The web site pages include a good description of the system and what can go wrong. Another page covers how to replace the spheres.

The big plus is that they rebuild the spheres (I think) to a very good standard (they claim) for a very good price. So, although it's an American company, it may be worth getting some rebuilt sphere from them rather than buying new Toyota ones.

Another web site that may be of interest is:-

http://forum.ih8mud.com/archive/index.php/t-60619.html

This covers the process of replacing the fluid in the system

I hope this information is of some help

Good luck

Willy

[london mc]

OK, thanks everyone for the comprehensive information..let me sumarise what I think I have learned, please jump in with corrections if I've misunderstood or missed anything critical.

My X plate Amazon has very stiff suspension, and the ride is therefore very bumpy, but it does not have a level problem, I can still adjust the ride height as usual (it is still bumpy regardless of ride height selected though).

Diagnosis from this forum indicates that the spheres are the likely problem, not any other part of the system.

Further diagnosis can be performed by checking the number if 'indents' covered in the fluid resevior during a height transition from low to high (less than 4 = screwed approx.)

Main dealer parts are likely to be 200 GBP each, plus labour, and it looks like there is little chance of the dealer offering free parts to solve this (I will ask regardless, does anyone have a memo they can share for previous warranty repairs?)

Next best option is to source either new spheres, e-bay, second hand or from keith in USA (I would really like some UK feedback on these items if anyone has them, fitting non-standard parts to an LC could be risky?)

Replacing the spheres is pretty simple, and I think you have to drain, re-fill and bleed the entire system after changing them out (given the car has done 60K this might be a good time to change the fluid anyhow)

Two or three cans of fluid are best kept on hand for the entire system re-fill

USA website has good information on changing spheres and re-filling the system (has anyone verified the procedure by chance? am not familiar with LC mecanicals)

So it's time to decide where to buy replacement spheres...if anyone has some they want to sell let me knw ASAP as I'll be purchasing in the next week or so..

Regards
Tom

[london mc]

has anyone got anything specific from TOYOTA saying the warranty has been extended to 100K on the spheres due to ealy life failure..or somethign similar?

Want to see if I can get my dealer to supply parts FOC before I go and buy them..

any emails, documents welcome..

thanks
Tom

[Nor]

[london mc]

Thanks for the corrections, definately no more than 4 or 5 indents covered when I shift height from low to high, so looks like the accumulators are the issue.

Do they usually go in pairs ? or is it simply not worth the hassle only changing one pair out?

Seems like Toyota advise these items have a 'life' of 50K miles approx, given it is 2000 GBP plus labour to change this item I am very unhappy with this 'design'..it does not bode well for the rest of the car, am waiting for the next major item to fail at any time (starter motor went after 35K miles and Toyota wanted 800+ vat..told me it was so exopensive because it was built to last..I laughed my way out of the Service dept.

Your right on prices for accumulators too, 500 GBP plus VAt per PAIR.

I like toyota less and less, and complicated suspension even less ! as soon as this is repaired (plus reversing sensor, plus driver airbag warning light, plus steering column adjustments I'm getting this car sold and going back to a more simple and robust 4x4....watch the FOR SALE ads in a mionth or so ..


FYI, if anyone else needs accumulators you can get them direct from JAPARTS www.japarts.co.uk  for half this cost, they import direct from Japan, part numbers are identical..so you can save yourself 1000 pound straight off the bat.

thanks for all the advise on the forum, it has been a really useful source of information.

Regards
Tom

[tlocuk]

I have an account with Japarts ... so I can get a very good deal on these - if there's sufficient demand!!

All I need is the part number(s), how many (per vehicle) and how many of you would buy at the right price

Simon
_________________
If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

[london mc]

Simon, I only know of one other person trying to buy these parts at the moment, he is called TOM and is reading this thread.

I don;t expect you'll be able to buy more that 3 sets at this time, but if you think you can get a discount please let us know what it is,,

Japarts list the items on their web site (e bay takes you right there is you search accumulators), I dont have them to hand.

You need one set for front and one for back, about 1100 GBP for the lot.

Let us know.

Mc

[tom.]

Hi.
I have got delivery today. Price 1127.18 pounds for set. I have already tried to change them but could not unscrew the old one. I used spanner and hummer. I think that maybe I will try again this weekend. I let you know if it will resolve the problem.


london mc, my electric steering column motors also are not working  

[Nor]

I changed all 4 spheres nearly 2 years ago. They all came off really easy when using a spanner that fit in the narrow space between the sphere and the actuator.
AFAIK the spheres are supposed to last at least 100 k miles. If they fail earlier, it is because of either wrong fluid being used or because of an abnormally high load. (The Neutral Pressure is supposed to be checked regularly).
The Toyota garages in Norway actually used brake fluid on the AHC in the early years. That's a sure way of killing the membrane between the hydraulic fluid and the nitrogen, although it takes some time for the top-up-fluid to make it's way down there.


For the steering wheel tilt & telescope, there is a programming change which can be done utilising the Toyota Tester (means going to a dealer), so that the steering wheel doesn't automatically move out of the way when removing the key.  That will reduce the wear. (I know: Kind of useless to know when it's already failed)
I got mine changed on the warranty. I think there is a TSB on the matter, saying something about improved parts.
_________________
2004 HDJ100 AHC Auto 158'km, ex 2000 HDJ100, ex 1997 HZJ80GX Africa edition.

[tom.]

My last 50k and 6 years. I hope there is no brake fluid in there. Although fluid was very dark.

uHu from IH8MUD?  Thanks for sensors photos.

[tom.]

I have changed accumulators, changed AHC fluid again and ... there is no big difference in ride quality     Car is a little bit softer on big bumps but if tarmac become rough I can feel everything. Whan I am changing the height setting from ‘low’ to ‘high’, the oil level in the AHC reservoir is 13 graduations instead 8 graduations before. I would like to go to Toyota and ask them to check pressure of shock absorbers, adjust sensors and check their wirings. I need also to try another car with good suspension to drive and compare to mine

Ps. If you want to change accumulators use Laser Fan Spanner 32/36mm. No need of grinding and in Halfords for 10.99. If it will be difficult to unscrew hit accumulators firmly few times.

[Wandering Willy]

Tom mentioned the ride in his car being OK on smooth surfaces but not on the typical tarmac with rough patches. I know this may be obvious to some here but the tyre pressures on an LC are variable as are the tyres. What I mean is that your car may have the typical 'M+S' tyre which suit road driving or A/Ts which are ideally suited to muddy tracks (or worse). The 'standard' tyre pressure might suit the M+S tyre most of the time but the pressure can be varied to suit off-road or snow etc.

What I have found with my car is that the 'standard' tyre pressures are good for fast road use but a bit hard for my normal country lane/muddy track use. The car wallows more with the tyres set to a slightly lower pressure but the softer ride suits my needs most of the time. I put the pressures up if a motorway trip is planned or I am towing a heavy trailer.

Because the tyres are much larger than a typical saloon car, the variation in ride quality is much greater for the same change in pressure. Just drop the pressure all round by 2 psi and you should see what I mean.

Obviously, it would be daft to drop the pressures then set off down the nearest motorway at 100mph, particularly if the car is full of stuff/junk.

The other aspect of this is that many LCs have non-standard size tyres. Some are cross-ply rather than radial. These have very different ride and handling characteristics from the standard tyres. They may be great for climbing up the side of the Matterhorn but perhaps there are some side effects that your have to live with. Later Amazons (I think) have 18" wheels to be fitted with lower profile tyres than the 16" wheels on earlier cars. The later wheels may be better for fast road use but not so suitable for off road use. There will be ride differences as well.

You can fit different springs. Many owners will want 'taller' springs to raise the ride height (to fit bigger tyres and/or give more ground clearance) but you could fit (or possibly re-fit) softer/original spec springs if you want a softer ride. There is a similar story regarding shock absorbers.

I know that these comments are slightly off-topic and may generate some flak but I thought they were worth mentioning. We could start a new thread on what contributes to ride quality if there is enough interest. I am sure there are enough people here who have tried larger tyres, wheels, springs, etc to produce a worthwhile discussion.

Willy

[london mc]

Tom, are you telling us the 1200 on accumulators does not fix the problem !

yikes, while this is good to know for those of us not yet committed it is BAD inn general..does anyone know how to fix this issue?

rgds

Tom mc