Air Suspension Problems or Questions
11-22-21, 12:42 PM
#466
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Texas
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It has happened to people that there's a crack in the folds of the airbag, and it only leaks after it gets flexed a certain way. Raise it all the way up, and spritz some soapy water on them to check for leaks.
But if you've never replaced them, you're probably due.
Chip H.
But if you've never replaced them, you're probably due.
Chip H.
11-24-21, 10:12 AM
#467
Driver
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: CT
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Hey CL,
Having an issue here as well. My suspension is sagging in the rear and not sure what could be causing the problem. Been riding around with the rear weight of the truck sitting on the springs and it's brutal. Trying to drive it sparingly and cautiously.
She's a 2004 GX470 with 146k miles on it and when I use an OBD II reader for the Check Engine Light, I get no code related to anything rear suspension which is weird. I thought that would tell me if I am having a compressor or rear ride height sensor issue. So that would tell me maybe there is an issue with the airbags themselves, but when I try to adjust the ride heigh inside with the button, the green light flashes and the compressor never even kicks on.
Where should I look first? I found the ride height sensors for $85 each on Rock Auto (https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...t+sensor,17137) and don't mind the thought of just spending $170 to swap out the 17 year old sensors. Since a diagnosis could run me $100-$150 anyway.
Any thoughts are highly appreciated.
Having an issue here as well. My suspension is sagging in the rear and not sure what could be causing the problem. Been riding around with the rear weight of the truck sitting on the springs and it's brutal. Trying to drive it sparingly and cautiously.
She's a 2004 GX470 with 146k miles on it and when I use an OBD II reader for the Check Engine Light, I get no code related to anything rear suspension which is weird. I thought that would tell me if I am having a compressor or rear ride height sensor issue. So that would tell me maybe there is an issue with the airbags themselves, but when I try to adjust the ride heigh inside with the button, the green light flashes and the compressor never even kicks on.
Where should I look first? I found the ride height sensors for $85 each on Rock Auto (https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...t+sensor,17137) and don't mind the thought of just spending $170 to swap out the 17 year old sensors. Since a diagnosis could run me $100-$150 anyway.
Any thoughts are highly appreciated.
11-24-21, 10:53 AM
#468
Pole Position
Hey CL,
Having an issue here as well. My suspension is sagging in the rear and not sure what could be causing the problem. Been riding around with the rear weight of the truck sitting on the springs and it's brutal. Trying to drive it sparingly and cautiously.
She's a 2004 GX470 with 146k miles on it and when I use an OBD II reader for the Check Engine Light, I get no code related to anything rear suspension which is weird. I thought that would tell me if I am having a compressor or rear ride height sensor issue. So that would tell me maybe there is an issue with the airbags themselves, but when I try to adjust the ride heigh inside with the button, the green light flashes and the compressor never even kicks on.
Where should I look first? I found the ride height sensors for $85 each on Rock Auto (https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...t+sensor,17137) and don't mind the thought of just spending $170 to swap out the 17 year old sensors. Since a diagnosis could run me $100-$150 anyway.
Any thoughts are highly appreciated.
Having an issue here as well. My suspension is sagging in the rear and not sure what could be causing the problem. Been riding around with the rear weight of the truck sitting on the springs and it's brutal. Trying to drive it sparingly and cautiously.
She's a 2004 GX470 with 146k miles on it and when I use an OBD II reader for the Check Engine Light, I get no code related to anything rear suspension which is weird. I thought that would tell me if I am having a compressor or rear ride height sensor issue. So that would tell me maybe there is an issue with the airbags themselves, but when I try to adjust the ride heigh inside with the button, the green light flashes and the compressor never even kicks on.
Where should I look first? I found the ride height sensors for $85 each on Rock Auto (https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...t+sensor,17137) and don't mind the thought of just spending $170 to swap out the 17 year old sensors. Since a diagnosis could run me $100-$150 anyway.
Any thoughts are highly appreciated.
11-24-21, 02:07 PM
#469
Driver
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: CT
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11-24-21, 02:20 PM
#470
Super Moderator
I can't say 100% on the 470 but on 460 OBD Link will pull codes from anything but KDSS ECU on my '12
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...and-gx460.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...and-gx460.html
12-02-21, 01:41 PM
#472
Pole Position
It depends on what is wrong with the height sensors. If they are telling the car the height is too low, then the computer will attempt to adjust by adding air (running the compressor).
The sensors are expensive for what they are. There's a youtube video on how to open one and clean the contacts inside.
Chip H.
The sensors are expensive for what they are. There's a youtube video on how to open one and clean the contacts inside.
Chip H.
02-09-22, 11:38 AM
#473
Driver School Candidate
03-14-22, 04:38 PM
#474
Driver School Candidate
Air suspension leaking - After replacement install
I had an driver side air spring that wouldn't inflate.
So I decided to install Arnott air springs on both sides at the same time.
This fixed the driver side air spring as now it inflates.
Issue:
- Both of the rear air springs would leak to bump stops overnight.
- When you start the car, the springs would not inflate to Normal position even though they are sitting on the bumpstops. I was under the impression that the air suspension would adjust each time the car is running?
Attempts to find the issue:
- Sprayed bags, air connectors at the air tank and air springs with soapy water to find the leak. Couldn't find any.
- Scanned car with techstream to see if any Air Suspension DTCs would come up. Couldn't find any.
What I do know:
- Height measurement is within spec at each H. N, L
- Can't see or hear leaks from the connectors that is attached to the bags. Not sure how anyone would see those connectors
- Looked at the repair manual - suggested I look for leaks
What else could I do? The only thing I can think of is to rent a smoke machine to find the leaks. Am I on the right path?
So I decided to install Arnott air springs on both sides at the same time.
This fixed the driver side air spring as now it inflates.
Issue:
- Both of the rear air springs would leak to bump stops overnight.
- When you start the car, the springs would not inflate to Normal position even though they are sitting on the bumpstops. I was under the impression that the air suspension would adjust each time the car is running?
Attempts to find the issue:
- Sprayed bags, air connectors at the air tank and air springs with soapy water to find the leak. Couldn't find any.
- Scanned car with techstream to see if any Air Suspension DTCs would come up. Couldn't find any.
What I do know:
- Height measurement is within spec at each H. N, L
- Can't see or hear leaks from the connectors that is attached to the bags. Not sure how anyone would see those connectors
- Looked at the repair manual - suggested I look for leaks
What else could I do? The only thing I can think of is to rent a smoke machine to find the leaks. Am I on the right path?
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FrankT (04-18-22)
03-14-22, 05:18 PM
#475
I know you dont want to here this but the system will continue to deteriate. A spring conversion is simple and can be done easily. One and done and dont look back. I swapped my 460 to a Dobinson stock height kit and love it.
03-14-22, 05:48 PM
#476
Pole Position
Check the metal lines for pinhole leaks too. After all, you live in the state of snow & rust.
Chip H.
Chip H.
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phamine (03-15-22)
03-15-22, 09:31 AM
#480
Pole Position
Current issue is both new airbags leaking down overnight.
You obviously have an air leak somewhere, if you've already looked at the airbags and soft lines, @chiph9 's suggestion to look at the hard lines makes sense to me.
Rear spring conversion can be done for under $300, and you'll never have to revisit this again. Your new airbags could probably be resold to cover the cost.
You obviously have an air leak somewhere, if you've already looked at the airbags and soft lines, @chiph9 's suggestion to look at the hard lines makes sense to me.
Rear spring conversion can be done for under $300, and you'll never have to revisit this again. Your new airbags could probably be resold to cover the cost.