I just got the car yesterday, 42XXX miles, still has the new car smell- but not the new car drive. I drove it around the block and it drove fine. I decided to try out the air suspension switch and raise the car. Ever since then the rear end has been elevated and the car bucks wildly up and down when traversing even slight bumps.

Any idea what would be wrong with the air suspension and an idea of what it would cost?

 

sounds like 1 of your rear air struts has failed. Jack the rear up, remove the tires and see if a visible oil leak exists in the strut. This would confirm WHICH strut failed.

Each strut cost around $800 from an online parts store. Add another $200 for installation.

 

Why exactly did you think it was a good idea to buy this car without a complete pre-purchase inspection? Something like this would have been caught.

 

I made the same mistake too. I guess we are only human. Have the same suspension issue. Oily residue on one of the rear shocks.

 

Is the car doing this with the suspension up? or is the suspension dropped even with the switch in the upper position?
The latter would indicate that the suspension air system failed either with an isolated leak in the line or the bag.

If the suspension is raised above normal and pressure it too high, it would indicate that the pressure sensor or the height sensor modules have failed and it pumped the air suspension beyond normal pressure (very high spring rate and stiff ride).

Either way, the car should still be inspected by a dealer so that the cause can be isolated, and if diagnosed with something you can do yourself, it can be fixed by yourself or dealer if you want to pay them.

Either way you should check it out since suspension failure can cause a lot more damage over time by tweaking frames, cracking welds, and unstable composure during sudden maneuvers. (tendencies to easily over-steer upon braking in case of high and still suspension at the rear.)

 

The suspension is raised above normal and the pressure is way to high.

I paid carchex to inspect the car including a driving test before I purchased it and it was given excellent marks in all areas.

The car suddenly fixed itself, ie, the sensor started working, but I am still going to have the system inspected.

Thanks for all of the excellent posts!

 

If it was inspected by a pro service, I'd call them up and give them a hard time for missing this. At the minimum, you should get your $100+ back for the inspection. At the maximum, they should pay to fix the problem. Depends on what exactly you paid for and what the legal terminology was that they used with the inspection. If there was any buyback offered, use that to at least get them to fix it for you.

 

Yes excellent idea, I will be calling carchex up ...

 

Let us know how it goes. They clearly didn't do their job in this case.

 

Where can you find air shocks for $800.00?

 

Try Lexus of Pembroke Pines.

 

Thank you. My left rear is gone. Have to nurse it for a month and then shell out the cash. Are there others things that I should get? Like hoses etc?

 

a second job

Actually, i think this is the only problem prone part on the car. Depending on the mileage of your car, you might need to replace some other components. Take a look in the service/maintenance manual that came with the car.

 

i am happy with switching to coilovers, since after shelling out $1200+ for one corner there is no guarantee that you won't have to do it again a month later on the other corner. i paid about $1k for coilovers with install and have recently heard that the additional 1k making them 2k for the jic-magics is actually worth it. they claim to ride as smooth as the stock suspension,, but again i am happy so far with my 1k coilovers (BC racing).

 

airrunner or uas