X-REAS leaking, should I fix it or not?

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Fareastplaza

New member
When to a tire shop to get a new sets of tires for my 11 years old 5th Gen 4runner limited last August. It is equipped with X-REAS system. The shop did a simple inspection as part of the procedure for free. And it ends up they notice me both front struts are leaking, may need to replace them.

I searched online and ends up with 2 options:
1. Go to Toyota dealer to replace entire X-REAS with whopping $6000 or more
2. Replace X-REAS with a regular 3rd-party suspension system for about $600.

Option 1 is no go as this is a 11 years old ride. Option 2 is acceptable but I heard will degrade my ride.

Now, I just have driven my 4runner in the mountain for several ski trips already with 'leaking' X-REAS for more than 8k miles, feels normal. Should I care about it to replace it? Or it is totally fine to keep driving it around?

In case you guys asking, I did check the struts myself, yes, it has signs of leaking, the bottom part (strut housing) has grease sticking with dust.
 
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Fareastplaza said:
When to a tire shop to get a new sets of tires for my 11 years old 5th Gen 4runner limited last August. It is equipped with X-REAS system. The shop did a simple inspection as part of the procedure for free. And it ends up they notice me both front struts are leaking, may need to replace them.

I searched online and ends up with 2 options:
1. Go to Toyota dealer to replace entire X-REAS with whopping $6000 or more
2. Replace X-REAS with a regular 3rd-party suspension system for about $600.

Option 1 is no go as this is a 11 years old ride. Option 2 is acceptable but I heard will degrade my ride.

Now, I just have driven my 4runner in the mountain for several ski trips already with 'leaking' X-REAS for more than 8k miles, feels normal. Should I care about it to replace it? Or it is totally fine to keep driving it around?

In case you guys asking, I did check the struts myself, yes, it has signs of leaking, the bottom part (strut housing) has grease sticking with dust.
Click to expand...

Leave until you notice difference in ride control/quality.

When you eventually do need to replace the springs and shocks, ensure you also change to non-XREAS sway bars. Since the system assists with roll control, the sway bars are not as strong as 4R's w/o XREAS.

I removed my XREAS myself with no mess. If you're looking to do that, watch this guy's video as it shows the right way to do it: X-REAS Suspension Delete From 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner - YouTube
 
You'll be fine for a while. You're better off going aftermarket suspension at that point and it'll be way cheaper than replacing x-reas.
 
I just took the XREAS off my wife's 2016 Limited last weekend. I noticed 2 of the shocks were leaking around 50k miles when I was under there doing a routine oil change. Truck currently has 60k miles on it. I ended up ditching the XREAS for a 3" Eibach lift kit. All new springs front & rear, shocks & struts. I can absolutely say for a fact I have better ride quality with the new Eibach set-up vs the factory XREAS. Factory XREAS was a more jarring ride for sure. Can't say if it ever was a 100% since we've owned it. I suspect its been leaking soon after purchasing it in 2019 when it had 36k miles. The dealership we bought it from had the 1st oil change included with purchase so it was pushing 50k miles before I got under there and discovered I had an issue. For what it's worth though don't hesitate to upgrade to aftermarket. Kinda sounds like you're leaning towards that route already
 
Subscribed as my xreas is feeling clunky. plan on replacing with OME possible as I dont want rebuildables. Do you have a part number on the sway bar? Also, how necessary is it to get upper control arms?
Thanks.

dezertbomber said:
Leave until you notice difference in ride control/quality.

When you eventually do need to replace the springs and shocks, ensure you also change to non-XREAS sway bars. Since the system assists with roll control, the sway bars are not as strong as 4R's w/o XREAS.

I removed my XREAS myself with no mess. If you're looking to do that, watch this guy's video as it shows the right way to do it: X-REAS Suspension Delete From 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner - YouTube
Click to expand...
 
where are you getting a third party suspension system for $600 canadian? bilstein 5100s I've seen (without coils/springs) are around $800 to $1000 canadian without install, if you can even find them. Amazon had them listed at $900 last time I checked

Even toyota OEM sr5 suspension would be way more than that

your factory xreas lasted 11 years. can't really be upset about that. do you plan on keeping your ride another 11 years?

IMO if you are going to get rid of xreas, fully remove all components and install a quality third party set up like some of the folks here did. you're probably looking at around $3000 canadian for something like eibach's base 4runner setup (no reservoir) + install costs if you don't do it yourself

a high quality set up with install will probably not be too far from $6000 and might even be more if you go higher end. something to think about
 
clin9383 said:
Subscribed as my xreas is feeling clunky. plan on replacing with OME possible as I dont want rebuildables. Do you have a part number on the sway bar? Also, how necessary is it to get upper control arms?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

I’m not familiar with 5th gens, but UCAs aren’t an issue on 4th gens until you approach ~3” of lift in the front. I had no issues when I was at 2.5”.
 
I had an '03 with Xreas. Same thing: it was in the shop for brakes and they noticed some leakage from the shocks. They wanted to charge me some absurd amount of money to replace them. It was just a tiny amount of leakage. I declined the replacement. I kept the truck for many years after that without any ill effects. A little leakage is normal, don't let the guy in the shop scare you into spending a lot of money.
 
clin9383 said:
Subscribed as my xreas is feeling clunky. plan on replacing with OME possible as I dont want rebuildables. Do you have a part number on the sway bar? Also, how necessary is it to get upper control arms?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

No, I don't have the part numbers. I'm not running sway bars with my new susp to get maximum flex (and maximum fun on the street lol).

UCA's aren't necessary unless you lift it near 3", but if want to get some go with Dirt King ball joint with their dust caps.
 
Just replace with Dobinsons. I literally just did that this week on my 2011 Limited 4wd with XREAS. They removed the XREAS and installed Dobinsons 300 front coil 700 shock, 599 rear coil 705 shock. They were able to get the alignment all in green, very good and rides better than XREAS (soft, but much more controlled, absorbs big bumps easy, you feel the small bumps).
 
I wouldn't waste the money on the xreas system. Plenty of options to replace even you only only want stock height.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
 
Don't fix them. Don't ask how I know. These will leak again after putting more $ in the system. Toyota should of never put this crap in if they knew it won't last past 6-7 years.
 
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