I have an '04 GX470 and the rear air ride suspension is starting to act up. At times the air suspension works normally. It will hold air for weeks at a time while sitting in the garage. Other times all of the air will escape as soon as the truck is turned off. When driving it has the same issues. At times it works great at other times it feels like I am riding a bunking bronco... Does anyone have any thoughts as to why it is an intermittent issue? If the bags had a leak wouldn't it always leak? Is there a check valve in the pump itself that may be going bad? Any thoughts? Please help.

Thanks

 

Could be the check valves, air tank itself, or the compressor/condenser. It could be easier to physically check, for anything loose, crusty, or rusted underneath.


PS: Welcome to the site.

 

Here's a quick video to help you id some of the parts, if you aren't familiar with your GX

 

its almost always the air springs..small hole, only opens up sporadically, depending on how much the bag is inflated or delated....15 years olf...rubber has its end limts

 

Pretty much.. Just like any tire(almost, if not the same compound) after 15 years will not be advisable to use, especially at highway speeds.

But at least he can also go around checking said parts "IF" the bags are NOT original.

 

There have been a couple of people who had the leak down in the folds on their airbag, so lots of times, the weight of the GX would squeeze it closed. And other times...

Chip H.

 

Yeah, Same thing happens/happened to the 1st gen Audi allroad owners when they would find the front of the vehicle down as if it was kneeling, or picking something off the ground lol

Ask me how I personally know.

 

The Allroad is a cool car - it's a shame it isn't more reliable.

When I was stationed in Germany in the 80's I got a ride in a GT Coupe (someone else in the unit had one) with the first generation Quattro system. It was amazing.

Chip H.

 

It's a comfy, Fast Avant on steroids, when transformed via stage 3 (Ko4s, fueling, etc..) .. Aka, B5 S4 for the person whom doesn't want to follow the B5 stigma lol

 

I've got the airbags to replace my old ones. Just waiting for the delivery of the air connection release tool for taking the hoses off before removing the bags.
I have a few pages of the FSM for airbag removal but sure would find it handy to have some troubleshooting info on this system, too. If anyone happens to have some of those pages, any chance you'd mind sharing?
Btw, I ordered the OEM air springs on Amazon and got an amazing deal for both. Other folks have just bought the aftermarket ones and have had success.
Not sure if you have leaky ones, but if that's what it is, they are readily available and don't appear to be too hard to change out.