dkotanto

Greetings--

I just picked up a used 2003 GX470 with 129K miles. The SUV is in good running shape but has suspension issues. It rides like a lumber wagon and I'm looking for some assistance in order to troubleshoot this.

Here is what I have verified so far:

1. The compressor only works after the car is parked for a while.
2. The ride initially is good for just a few miles and then it gets progressively worse to being unbearable
3. When the ride is harsh and you park for a few minutes and shut off the engine, when you start it back up, you do not hear the compressor running.
4. If I park the car and go to dinner or park it overnight, when you start the car you can hear the compressor running and you can see that the rear height changes a bit but the height change is barely noticeable.
5. The ride height adjustment does not work, the dash indicator stays at N all the time no matter if you push the up or down arrows at the switch.
6. While changing tires, I've noticed that the RR air spring was off the hole and retracted while LR air spring was in place (see pictures).
7. There is clear evidence that the car is bottoming out from the black marks on the axle thus the very harsh ride
8. The rear shocks are leaking.
9. There are no codes registered using a generic OBDII code reader.

I have a few questions:

1. If the car is on a car lift, is it normal for the air springs to be extended or contracted?
2. What holds the air spring in place? Is there a pin or a clip at the bottom of the spring that could prevent the spring from popping off?
3. Is Techstream the right tool to properly diagnose this? For example, does the tool allow you to test individual functions like the compressor, left spring, right spring, etc. and read specific codes from the suspension ECU?

Many thanks in advance for your support.

Jim




LR air spring





RR air spring

NTH

Where's the airbag in second pic?

dkotanto

Deflated and hidden inside the shroud.

dkotanto

Both air springs were leaking. Replaced the air springs and that solved this issue.

schum4

Where did you get the parts? We're they OEM? I've had intermittant leaking with mine.

dkotanto

Yes, had it done at a Lexus dealership as it was way to cold here in CO to diy. If you decide to DIY, you will need a special Toyota tool to remove the air hose, about $35. I paid $1108 to have it done at the dealer, way too much.. but I had no choice.

AShoe

I just went through this last weekend. I went to the junkyard and bought rear springs out of a 2006 4 runner. I got a DIY conversion kit from Metaltech 4x4. It took me about 2 hours to convert the rear end from airbags to conventional springs. It cost me about $150 total and I will never have to deal with rear airbag issues again.

It looks level and the ride almost indistinguishable from when the airbags were working properly.