2007 Landcrusier Sahara Suspension Issues

Funny stuff Scooby but sadly it's not the cause of my issue.

Ross M. Thanks for your reply. I was advised it was gas, but air it is. Just as extra info, I can adjust the suspension, so it goes up and down, but it automatically ends up at neutral and is rock hard. So, given this I guess it's the levelling control valve. The mechanic at my local Toyota dealership hasn't come across this issue "EVER", and has had the car for two days and no closer to a fix. He thought it might need new suspension in the front @ $900 per side for the parts but I can't see how this will fix it as they go up and down, they just don't stay at the desired level.

Cheers

Not sure if it is same as my 2006 Sahara, but if it is the automatic height control is hydraulically controlled. The car will default to the N position at speeds above about 30 kph.
If as many, including me, have done and added air bag 'helpers' inside the coils then the AHC will still work but if the pressure in the airbags is much above 5 psi with no load on tow ball then the ride will feel very firm.
If it has been converted to air bags then somewhere will be two valves to either inflate or decrease the pressure in the air bags (same for air 'helpers')

Andrew, I'm not car savvy but what your talking about sounds right. The car height does keep going to neutral so I guess it's the Auto Height Control we are talking about as well. So, how does this all work then, I assume the AHC works independently to the suspension so I'm getting my wires crossed here thinking the AHC is part of the suspension.

I am presuming it is a 100 Series run-out not an early 200 Series Sahara?

If the AHC settles to Low, it is an indicator of higher weight in the rear of the car and requires some help to carry it. 250Kg is sufficient to make that happen, a couple of bigger adults and luggage can do it. Alternately a heavy caravan draw bar can do it.

If you switch to High, and accelerate over 19mph or 30kph, it will settle to Normal.

To overcome issues, I took out the springs and after trying three different sets of coils, bought Firestone airbags to totally replace the coil springs.

Andrew is quite right, the Sahara 100 AHC system uses hydraulic oil to pump up the height. There are some gas cannisters though that hold nitrogen along the side rails that may require attention. I have seen suggested elsewhere that the AHC system is good for about 200,000 kms before heavier maintenance. Some people advocate removing all the AHC system and putting in a standard modified suspension, but because it is all in the computer system with the traction control and stability control, it sounds to me like a big job!

Yep, definitely a question for the people at the LCOOL forum. Plenty of people there with the 200series Saharas.

Good reply there Dindy

If the Toyota teknishun doesn't immediately know where the problem lies then he isn't a Technician or a trained person. It certainly inspires confidence doesn't it.
I just love the "we'll fix it for $900 a side" attitude presented by the dealer in the absence of good, well informed and knowledgeable response.
A good way to get rich quick and they might even discover the problem on the way, if they are mechanically astute enough to do it.

Jonno W, DO NOT have those unprincipled cowboys get near your vehicle, or if you let them have a go, leave your wallet on the front desk.

IN reply to your question. The AHC system is connected between the body and the suspension. If it has a 4 wheel system, then it will usually have sensors located near each wheel. maybe A sticking valve will cause your problem.
If only one rear sensor it will be located between the body and near the diff centre.

Ross, if you read the original question again, the suggestion that it is rising and then getting stiff, being uncomfortable. The "getting uncomfortable" indicates that it has settled to Low where it will more likely be riding close to the bump stops. Perhaps weight is the issue or in the case of ours, insufficient air to carry the mass in or on the back of the car. Polyair or Firestone inserts the easiest option.

OK, I have had feedback from the dealer and they are saying it's the front AHC cylinders that are the problem but they are checking the shocks by taking the cylinders off and bouncing the car. They clearly have no idea and the cost at this stage is $2,700. They have had my car since last Wednesday, just to add salt to my wounds.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Cheers

"The dealer is waiting to hear back from a Toyota HQ technician"

Jonno

What is happening servicing? Back in the days when I worked in the service office of a major dealer. I would simply ring the state distributor for Toyota commercial vehicles, or put the mechanic on the phone, and we would have the answer in minutes. That was where the factory training school was located and we would speak directly to one of the instructors. On the rare occasions that they did not know, they would get the answer from Japan as fast as possible and we would keep the customer up to date on what was happening.

Whatever you do, don't let anyone fix anything until they know exactly whet is wrong. Guessing can be very expensive.