ALAN553

Shock absorbers are a separate component from the air springs. Air springs are a height adjustment alternative to coil springs. They are connected to the compressor, not the shock absorbers. The stock shock absorbers have a “firmness” adjustment, that controls valves to control ride quality, soft to sport.

Lexus4321

Bouncy comes in two forms, bad shocks, bad springs, (or both at same time).

Does your GX lift and lower the rear using the height control next to shifter? Place it to "L", wait a few sec, then put control to "H" and then go out to rear of GX and listen for the air pump and watch the rear rise. Does it rise and the pump eventually stops? Then leave it on "H" setting, turn GX off, measure the rear height at some location to ground, let it sit there for 30-60min, did it stay there or leak down? A leak could be bags, tubing, or even the valves in the air control solenoid box under rear of GX. If the air bags are working ok then perhaps the shocks you received are no good.

chiph9

May need to leave it longer than 30-60 min (unless it's obviously dropping..) There have been people with slow leaks that it took overnight to hit the stops.

Chip H.

JoeyD1122

So my mechanic finally was able to diagnose it, i think. He said it needs

Suspension Ride Height Sensor Bracket (Rear) which is only like $60. He said it was rotted through and was not doing what it is supposed to do.

Part Number: 4890635020

Jpilot

YEAH!!! Sounds like an awesome mechanic that is taking care of you. Great news!

maimou

What is the most common way to go when replacing the rear shocks? I want to keep mine OEM if I can but $1000 for 2 rear shocks !!!
Who has put in Bilstein? I have them in my truck and can't complain.

surferlex

Did this fix your problem?

I have the same issue, but it is intermittent. That makes me think more towards a sensor instead of replacing major system components.

Paulhgxrx

When I bought my 04 GX it was a really bouncy ride. It had Michelin tires on it that had good tread but the sidewalls were worn out. As soon as I bought new tires it made a world of difference.

surferlex

I have an issue with my 2003 GX470. It started with the back bouncing intermittently. I ordered and replace the ride height sensors and it seemed to fix the problem, but now it has come back. When it came back, I was able to toggle the height and the bounciness went away. Now it is bouncy all the time.

We never used/adjusted the ride at all until this problem popped up. When the problem started, adjusting from N to H or N to L did nothing - at least the light didn't change from N to L or N to H. When I changed the sensors, it would go from N to H or N to L, but only for a week or so. Now I'm back to troubleshooting.

I don't understand what might be bad if it is intermittent - other than the sensors. Maybe the console switch itself? I'm willing to spend a little more money, but if I have to keep buying parts until I find out what is bad, I may just replace the air system with a traditional setup. I'll be damned if I'll take it to a Lexus dealer.

Any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated. BTW - this isn't a gentle bounciness, it is crazy bouncy. No hard hits or bottoming out, just bouncing to the point of almost being undrivable.

Jpilot

Go ahead and change out the air to traditional springs and some new, good quality shocks. It will save you a ton of heartache and money in the future. Modern shocks and springs are superior anyways.

Lexus4321

Can the springs lower to get under a hitch, and then raise up into ball socket on a trailer, all while I hitch-up from the driver's seat?

Dynamic shocks also provide adjusting.

Which one is "better" seems to be subject for debate.

surferlex

I was shocked ,no pun intended, when I priced shocks and springs. $800. I can get new bags and a compressor for under $400. Haven't shopped around yet though.