Bouncy ride in LX470 solved! Replacing AHC Suspension Accumulator in Lexus or Toyota Landcruiser.

The LX470 was very bouncy even just driving down a smooth street, although 4 new shocks had been installed recently. The car failed to rise or lower when the AHC switch button was pushed and the AHC Hi or Lo light was blinking, indicating a problem with the air suspension system.
All that pointed to that at least one of the AHC suspension accumulators has failed.
Since this car has 200k mi with the original suspension accumulators, which are designed to last 100k mi, the accumulators are due for replacement.

[@steffenchristmas1987]

I loved the sense of achievement and the celebration beer 🍻 at the end. Always a good time helping friends.

[@MagnusVonMaggie]

Great video. Changed mine and A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN RIDE. It was jumpy and extra bouncy on the road when hitting ups and downs. On speed bumps it felt like I was in my super stiff f250 pickup. Now I feel like it’s a magic carpet just smoothly absorbing the road

[@NKPGarage]

I replaced the accumulators on our LX570 last year. Night and day difference. Amazing engineering in that AHC suspension system, just have to maintain it.

[@wy3492]

Thank you for the clear explanation on how to tackle this. I have a LX 570 and I am going to change out the accumulator globes also as soon as I receive them and flush out the system also. Thank you. Great video

[@mikejohnson9118]

Hey great vid.... You are VERY lucky to have such a nice/knowledgeable/hard working friend! Some surf/turf dinner or BBQ for him would be a nice gesture. That would have cost big $$$ at Lexus.

[@RCPILOT.]

wow thanks for the video , i got a bouncy lexus too so will go underneath tmrw and check .

[@imdragonslayer]

Glad to know that this helps

[@frankwhite3901]

What a tremendous friendship!

[@victortrujillo2591]

Great job, awesome video !!

[@jane007re]

Thank you for the video, I love it, I will do it myself

[@michaelbrown3423]

got to love this DIYer working banging around the undercarriage with his apple watch on.

[@bngr_bngr]

Who would of thought smaller was better. You guys are brave to get under the car. I would have left the hydraulic jack plus the jacks under the car.

[@stinkenlinken]

Thanks for the video. I have to replace mine this month. Can I ask you what type or size of bleeder hose attachment you used? Did you get it on Amazon?

[@imdragonslayer]

I don’t remember the hose size. There’s only one size, standard size, for the brake bleeding valve. I got it from a local auto store for a few dollars. Or you can buy the brake bleeding kit from Amazon for about $15.

[@Khmer-US]

wonder how much would cost at the lexus or toyota dealer to do that job?

[@litechasers]

Great!! My LX470 has a little bouncy and it is hard to steer when turning at 60mph or faster. I suspect that my accumulators might be bad.

[@bryanlanzo3860]

Gosh i have this issue on my Lexus. Wondering how much will it be for new accumulator and labor

[@angelbueno511]

Hello thank you for this great video you really helped me with this, but can you please explain how does The sensor of height control needs to work?

[@imdragonslayer]

I don’t know how the height sensor works, didn’t look into this. If the car doesn’t raise or lower when you press the ACH height control switch, then two of the things might have gone bad: accumulators or the pump. The ACH LED light also blinks when the vehicle fails to reach the height setting. Good luck

[@MagnusVonMaggie]

There is a mechanical sensor at each wheel that senses where the care is. You can see it standing and looking on the frame behind the the wheels

[@angelbueno511]

@@imdragonslayer hello I just order that ones and I have it ,but I need the key,were can I get the same as yours? I just bought one but it doesn’t fit. Please help me with that 🙏🏻

[@302esky]

Hi What tyre pressure do you run thank you

[@xtexbrown]

How long did it take start to finish?

[@atambenim301]

2001 toyota land cruiser vx 100 model aracım var Merhaba tüpleri nereden bulabilirim yardımcı olursanız sevinirim teşekkürler

[@cpenv]

2023 and I’m about to do this job on a 200k lx470. Lexus only sells the AHC fluid in the 2.5liter can ($75/can) and I need 2 of them for this job.

[@Mazokn]

Thanks for the tutorial, My accumulators and fluid just arrived, I’m about to do the replacement in the coming days and just wanted to confirm the below steps are correct. 1. Do I release all 4 bleeders 2. unscrew all 4 accumulators 3. tighten all the bleeders valve 4. Siphon the reservoir empty 5. Screw on all 4 accumulators 6. Fill the reservoir new fluid 7. Turn on engine, cycle from high to low then normal 8. Open bleeders to let air out 9. Screw bleeders back on 10. Test drive with fingers crossed? Thanks mate!

[@imdragonslayer]

Yes. Have fun 😆 doing this. Do one accumulator at a time,

[@ervinanaya1393]

Hi, great video. Where can i get these original toyota accumulator globes and the original suspension fluid? I'd like to change these on my Lexus LX 470, year 2002. Thanks

[@imdragonslayer]

We bought them from EBay. Forgot which seller thought. Or just buy from your local Toyota dealer although at a higher price.

[@alexdeprat7135]

Hello, great video. Question... Did you have to reset/clear/adjust any values using the Techstream computer thru the OBD2 plug?

[@imdragonslayer]

There’s nothing to reset since there’s no error. The SUV couldn’t rise or lower when the accumulators were broken. But there was no error stored in OBDii

[@robamato9433]

Gday from Australia! Great video! My 99 LX470 is hitting bumps on the road pretty rough even if its on "Comfort" setting. My car has done 385,000km. I have owned the car since 319,000km. I have never changed the AHC fluid but I changed the shocks at 319,000km. Now I was surprised to see oil around the front shocks when I looked underneath the car yesterday. Do u think maybe the car is bouncy and rough because of front shocks? Also since I bought the car at 319,000km the height adjustment doesnt always work when I press "HI" or "LOW". It seems to work when I press "HI" then drive forward or backwards 30ft. It doesnt usually work when I press it and stay stationary. Mate what are your thoughts on this? Iam thinking of changing shocks and fluid. But do you think accumulators are buggered and need changing? I would greatly appreciate some feedback. Thanks. Rob

[@imdragonslayer]

If there’s oil around the shock then the shocks are leaking but I don’t think it caused the bounce you’re experiencing since the shocks only have 60km. The accumulators are designed to last about 160km while some can go more than 300km if lucky. If the ACH doesn’t go up or down, I think it’s either the pump or the accumulator(s) are not working. You would need to remove the accumulator once at a time to inspect. Given its mileage, its time to replace them in my opinion.

[@robamato9433]

@@imdragonslayer thanks mate!

[@Timbo_tango]

Must flush all the fuild every 100Klms. The dirty oil has damaged the seals in the shockers.

[@michaelheimbrand5424]

Nice! I´ve worked on classic Citroën´s for decades and heard about this system on Lexus. Very interesting to watch. Lots of similarities with old Citroën´s. So if you want one of those, I can tell you know how to service them. And yes, the "hydraulic shower" is something all Citroën mechanics know well ;). The trick is to leave it for a while when you get it to leak. Don´t just take the sphere/accumulator of right away. Just have to ask, does the LX have ordinary coil springs too, or is the hydraulic spheres all there is? I know Mercedes had some system where it had both hydraulic and mechanic suspension. The Citroën´s is 100% hydropneumatic.

[@bretthurrell6944]

LX has coil springs and shocks also, although the shocks are not really shock absorbers in the true sense, they are more of a hydraulic ram, they provide no damping through internal gas, just the height adjustment via the fluid, they are plumbed into the same hydraulic circuit as the spheres. The accumulators provide the damping. Springs are lower rate than on a non-AHC Landcruiser so the hydraulics do the work.

[@smitty4699]

i just replaced my front actuators. easy as pie.

[@benjaminborden7946]

I am curious as to whether its bouncing without having a bad accumulator? Like just needing a flush? Mine is bouncy but will raise and lower

[@imdragonslayer]

What’s the mileage on your Lx? If all 4 corners rise and lower with the same height then I think the accumulators are fine. One possibility is bad shocks. What’s the mileage on the shocks, which typically last about 75k -100k mi. Look for oil leaks around the shocks. Bad shocks can cause slow bounce when driving over bumps.

[@jamespak2399]

Appreciate your video. In order to remove accumulator, is it the same way counter clockwise to uninstall accumulator? Please confirm.

[@imdragonslayer]

Hi. Yes. Counter clockwise to remove it. Have fun !😊

[@jamespak2399]

Thank you. Somehow, I could not get it to turn counter clockwise. May be spray some W-40 and try again.

[@imdragonslayer]

You may need an extension bar such as putting a pipe over the handle bar of the wrench. Or use your leg to push it. Apply WD40 or penetrating lubricant may help.

[@ghaiskh3138]

i wanted to ask that On my 2011 lexus lx 570, suspension works fine, i can go on low mode and h mode smoothly, but the ride is bouncy, is the problem with the accumalators or the shock absorbers?, about a month ago i had the shock absorbers checked, the mechanic said they were good, but the ride is still bouncy on a bit bumpy roads, pls let me know wat do u reckon the problem is.

[@imdragonslayer]

I homely don’t know. If all 4 corners go up or down with the same height then the accumulators should be fine. How old are the shock absorbers? If they’re more than 80k mi, time to replace them. Sometimes it’s difficult to check the shocks if there’s no leak since the air suspension is very firm. How bouncy is bouncy ? If the steering wheel shakes at high speed, maybe the wheels are out of balance. Also check other suspension components such as the ball joints and suspension arm bushings

[@ghaiskh3138]

@@imdragonslayer yup exactly the steering wheel along with the whole car vibrates, gonna take it to a workshop soon, hopefully they diagnose the problem, thnx for ur reply.

[@55pkwon]

Great Video! I have a 2003 lx 470 which when going over bump feels like a pogo. I have 112k miles on it. It looks to have low fluid which I think means one or more accumulator are bad. It is really bad in the rear, feels like it jumps around. The height does all three positions no problem and I am not showing any codes. What is you opinion on what needs to be replaced? I appreciate if you can give me a reply back. Thank you.

[@imdragonslayer]

If you’re sure that all 3 height positions are fine then I think the accumulators are fine. I would check the 4 shock absorbers for leaks or oil. The shocks should be replaced every 100k mi anyway. The accumulators are also designed to last about 100k mi , any mileage over that is a bonus. If the shocks are bad and not replaced soon, that bouncing will eventually cause the accumulators to fail.

[@b2butt1]

Hi Peter. I have the same problem with my LX. All 3 positions are fine but bounces even on straight road. Did you find out what was the cause?

[@55pkwon]

@@b2butt1 I have not I bought fluid so going to do a flush. From most of the reading I have done it is bad globes. If @imdragonslayer can chime in again it would help

[@55pkwon]

@@imdragonslayer I checked and I do not see any leaks. but the fluid is slightly low. So going to do a flush. I am leaning toward bad globes. Any good places to buy globes at reasonable prices?

[@george5481]

@@55pkwon I replace mine two months ago they were great Now the rear start feeling rough No leak or anything just the accumulator I believe it went bad If you will flush your system I will say took off the accumulator and do the pencil test if the pencil went deep more than 2 inches the accumulator is shot.

[@gatorrick]

You did not bleed the long accumulator ( not the ball actuator ) under the drivers side door first. Wouldn't that get rid of a lot of fluid before bleeding each ball unit?

[@imdragonslayer]

We started bleeding the accumulator that’s furtherest from the reservoir and ended at the driver side. While bleeding each accumulator , I stopped only when I see clear (fresh) fluid comes out. The total amount of fresh fluid matches the manufacturer spec of full fluid capacity.

[@gatorrick]

@@imdragonslayer Thank you for the great video and your reply, You were sucking out the fluid with the pump. Not letting it come out on its own because there was pressure in the system. Correct??

[@MatthewWilliamGuerra]

How much were the parts?

[@jaikishanmandania7591]

Great video ! I recently bought UZJ100 from Japan with 170,000 Kilometers and inspected one front and one rear shocks is weeping/leaking . The car AHC is working as it’s going high and low. Do I need to change the accumulators or just replace the shock absorbers ? And also do I need to change the coil springs ? Your advice will be really appreciated

[@imdragonslayer]

If the shocks are leaking, replace them. Simple enough. LOL. No need to replace the accumulators since the car height can be adjusted; I would only replace them after they failed.

[@jaikishanmandania7591]

@@imdragonslayer I replaced 4 shock absorbers. Removed all the old fluid from the reservoir too. So finally there shouldn’t be old fluid in the system. After filling new suspension fluid , Is it must to bleed from 4 corners or is it enough to bleed from the accumulator which is on LHS. Your advice will be highly appreciated 😊

[@imdragonslayer]

I recommend to bleed the old fluid from the bleeding valves of the 4 accumulators. The old fluid in the line between the accumulator and the reservoir can only be bleed out from the bleeding valve. Once you see clean fluid coming out then you can stop the bleeding.

[@jaikishanmandania7591]

@@imdragonslayer old fluid was drained about 2.2 liters and other was spilt down while removing the pipes . So there was no old fluid in the system ! Would you still recommend to do the bleeding from the 4 corners ?

[@jaikishanmandania7591]

@@imdragonslayer And may I know where the fluid level should be in the reservoir when kept in N position ? We filled 2.5 liters and the car is going up and down properly .

[@Rille1303]

Hi sir! Where did you get the accumulators from? Lexus is charging close to $1K for them any advice on where I could go to get them cheaper? Thanks again for this video and I have a 08 GX470 SUPER BUMPY ride bounces everywhere all the time I need to get this done lol. Thank you.

[@imdragonslayer]

We bought them from a seller on eBay. There are many sellers on eBay. I don’t remember the name of the seller we bought them from.

[@Rille1303]

@@imdragonslayer yea i saw from other comments thank you!

[@rajaamjad9666]

Hello brother my Lexus LX470 2000 model AHC Front side totally go’s down 😢

[@AAVLOGS-kh9ss]

Hi sir i bougt a lexus lx 470 2000 model and it comes with 18inch rims i replace it with 20inch new lx570 rims the ride were bumpy even on a plan road with both size of rims.i the height control works properly hi and lo.but ta the ride is bumpy even on motorway what should i do now.please give me your advice. Iam from pakistan.i will be waiting for your advice.thankyou❤️

[@imdragonslayer]

I can’t say what causes the bumpy ride since you said the height adjustment works. Maybe check out the shocks for any leak. If any of the shocks leak or have over 100k mi then I would replace the shocks. Also check the suspension components, make sure no cracks in them. Also make sure the tires are balanced when they were installed.

[@jutuz]

Did you start with the car in H, N or L? Is a pump necessary to bleed the fluid or is clear tubing and a bottle enough?

[@imdragonslayer]

I think I started the car in N. But it should not matter whether it’s H N or L. You can use a manual hand pump to draw out the fluid from the bleeder valve. A pump is needed to create a vacuum (to create the pressure difference) to get the fluid out. You can buy a cheap hand pump from Amazon for something like $15-$20

[@jutuz]

@@imdragonslayer thank you. I noticed you put it to L after installing the globes so it probably had to be either N or H. Did you have to check pressures with techstream? Thanks for your fast reply.

[@luccalamma2777]

is the AHC globe same for front and rear? left side or right side?

[@imdragonslayer]

Yes. All 4 are the same

[@marlon3018]

Hi, only the suspension accumulator are being replaced here and shock absorbers doesn't have any issues at all?

[@imdragonslayer]

The shocks were replaced about 6 months prior to the accumulators.

[@marlon3018]

Thank you sir. Where did you order your accumulator? Is the accumulator will vary based on the year model of the vehicle and version? I have 2000 model dubai version, can u help me where to find supplier of the accumulator? Thanks

[@imdragonslayer]

The accumulators were bought from eBay.com. Just search for lx470 accumulators. The 2000 year model has the same accumulators.

[@michaelbrown3423]

@@imdragonslayer sir please help with your expert advice. we replaced with new pump so AHC goes up and down fine. But crazy bouncy. Is that accumulator globes and possibly shocks too? hate to do all the work to order and replace globes, only to find the issue was the shocks. how can you tell difference on what is causing the huge bouncing?

[@danielronnqvist685]

Did you put on a backup washer behind the oring before installing?

[@imdragonslayer]

I don’t recall there were washers or o-rings. If there were , I’m sure I put them back on. The new parts didn’t come with washers or O rings

[@danielronnqvist685]

@@imdragonslayer I have seen photos of the OEM globes for lx470 coming with both washer and oring mounted but for the lx570 they only come with the oring. I installed mine only with the oring and I will see how it holds up

[@pauljohnson2058]

where did you get the pump from?

[@imdragonslayer]

The pump was working fine. We didn’t buy one

[@user-hu1lg3to4e]

Из России с приветом, надеюсь мне такая процедура не скоро понадобится, но за то буду знать как и что )))

[@zachc.1978]

Where did you buy these globes? If Ebay, which seller?

[@imdragonslayer]

It’s been a while, the person who bought them doesn’t remember from which seller. eBay has many sellers whom are shipping them from Japan. Under $850.

[@zachc.1978]

@@imdragonslayer thanks! And was your suspension bouncy in sport mode?

[@imdragonslayer]

With the accumulators installed , it doesn’t bounce at any mode.

[@hamzahabits7912]

How to know if accumulater is bad

[@imdragonslayer]

Based on this experience there were a few indicators. The car doesn’t rise or lower when you press the ACH switch H or L. The led light flashes indicating a problem with the automatic suspension. Or if the car doesn’t rise to the fullest height. Second, the fluid in the ACH reservoir doesn’t rise or lower when you press ACH switch. That indicates the accumulator(s) can’t be pressurized. Third, the car is very bouncy when even just driving on a flat road; not the same as the slow bounce as with bad shock absorbers.

[@imdragonslayer]

Also, when you press the ACH button you will hear the pump running initially. If you can’t hear the pump then also check out the pump. The accumulators are designed to last about 100k mi, if your car still has the original accumulators and has over 150k mi, I think they should be replaced. This LX has 200k mi

[@hamzahabits7912]

@@imdragonslayer thanks so much my friend second issue is steck in low please what is the problem

[@imdragonslayer]

@@hamzahabits7912 if the ACH led light is stuck in low, I don’t know the cause of this problem. In our case, the LED lights could still go from H to L but the car’s height was not moving. If your car doesn’t have the problems that I described above, then your car may have a different issue

[@tashitshokey6324]

Hello sir, can I order accumulator for my land cruiser vx 100. My vehicle is having some problems with accumulator. Can you please help me to get accumulator for my vehicle.

[@imdragonslayer]

You can buy 4 new accumulators from EBay for under $900. Make sure they’re genuine Toyota parts.

[@tashitshokey6324]

@@imdragonslayer hello sir, after watching your video, looks like my accumulator is fine, but I still have some problem. When I drive on bumps and rough roads my vehicle specially front part bounce so much. Can you please help me since we don’t have good mechanic for land cruiser here. Do you mind sharing me your whatsup no or Facebook ID so I can share some videos.🙏 Thank you

[@imdragonslayer]

If your vehicle can rise or lower to full length without any problem then the accumulators should be fine. Check out the front shocks. Typically the shocks should be replaced every 100k mi or so or somethings sooner depending on their condition. Which part of the world do you live in ?

[@tashitshokey6324]

@@imdragonslayer oh ok, that’s what I thought, because my left shocker is licking little bit. If you could give me your Facebook ID, I could send you the picture.

[@tashitshokey6324]

@@imdragonslayer I’m sorry if I’m bothering you. Lol but I really need some help with my car. Thank you 🙏

[@unfitbackpacker4real983]

Hi, Where did you order you accumulator globes? Thank you

[@imdragonslayer]

From eBay.

[@rrrtriplerc5289]

How much would this coast at dealership for a GX470?

[@Khmer-US]

hard jobs lol

[@aaronbqwert7164]

The music is a little annoying

[@davelsisit]

brush your teeth bob.

[@Khmer-US]

😜😁🤣@@davelsisit