Fixing XREAS suspension
 

Hi guys,
Posted here a couple months back on the horrible ride on my 06 Sport Edition 4x4 and got some good responses. But basically my 4runner is riding incredibly rough - it bobs up and down driving down the road and the whole thing is jarring anytime I hit of a bump of any size. Plus the steering is really unresponsive and the wheel vibrates constantly, despite the tires being balanced. In the past month it has honestly turned into the single most uncomfortable ride I've ever been in.

I've had a mechanic check the lines and he said there are no leaks in the suspension visible anywhere. I've talked with numerous mechanics (local and at Toyota dealerships) and most have limited or no experience on XREAS and no one seems to know what to do with it. I've had one mechanic tell me I can just replace the front and rear shocks and leave the XREAS suspension in place while other mechanics say the whole thing needs to be replaced with aftermarket shocks. And the Toyota dealership I bought the 4runner from said they refuse to put in anything other than another XREAS, which is freaking expensive.

So if the lines aren't leaking, to fix the suspension do I absolutely need to replace the entire XREAS? Has anyone near Dallas/Ft Worth changed out their XREAS and do you have any mechanics you recommend? And is there anyone I could talk to on the phone for a few minutes who's had this done who could walk me through exactly what the replacement entails? And I don't plan on putting any kind of lift on this. I just want this vehicle to be comfortable to drive! Thanks!

I'd suggest checking out yotatech.com and toyota120.com. There have been a number of threads on the topic. With several covering the replacement process and that used intact systems can be found.


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:iagree: were you happy with the xreas ride when you bought it? if you were, id say bite the bullet & replace it, if not, you can just leave the lines in place, reuse the coils, & replace shocks with aftermarket units which would be much cheaper. either way, heres a couple to get u started. http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showt...eplacing+xreas http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showp...21&postcount=2 http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203

Unfortunately to have the system properly repaired you're going to have to have a dealer do it. They have the tools required for the system (if not they can get them from the factory.) The XREAS system is cross-connected with disconnection points at four spots to remove a component without draining the others and compromising the system.

Unless you really feel compelled to retain the system, I would recommend doing what many do which is have the shocks removed and/or the entire plumbing as well and use good quality aftermarket shocks.

Okay, so I looked into the system a little more and as I suspected the shocks themselves do not contain a gas charge. The central dampening cylinders have a nitrogen gas charge (similar to our accumulators on the AHC system) that provides pressure for the shock absorbers. The sypmtoms you describe in terms of the bouncy, sloshy feeling are often indicative of a failed shock absorber assembly; namely it losing its gas charge and the seals wearing out. As I stated before, since the shock abosrbers do not in fact have a gas charge, the culprit is likely one or both central dampening cylinders. As to why they failed so early, I can't be sure...

Good news is that if there are no external leaks in the system in terms of hydraulic fluid you will be able to simply install new central dampening cylinders and this should correct your issue.

Some reading for the XREAS system courtesy of TIS:
[Currently am not able to upload to T4R.org, will update later today]

As well as the repair procedure for the LH central dampener, will be similar on the RH side as well:
Attachment 82371

The best way to fix XREAS is to replace them with Bilsteins. Just swapped out my failing XREAS system for Bilstein 5100s this weekend. Very happy with them so far!

The system is crosslinked. So the driver side front is directly linked to the passenger side rear. The passenger side front is directly linked to the driver side rear.

They are linked via the hydraulic lines you see on the outside frame rails. (They cross over right behind the front wheel.)

You can not replace the fronts with a standard shock, without replacing the rears as well.

Fellow '06 Sport Edition 4x4 here....

I suggest you replace the XREAS with an aftermarket suspension and don't look back. I'm very pleased with my Toytec Ultimate.

That being said if you want an intact, cared for, and properly removed XREAS system, shoot me a PM. I see you're in Dallas (I'm in Austin)...maybe we can work something out.

You can get new X-REAS shocks for $130 ea @ Partznet and have it fixed. I'm doing mine next month. No special tools needed.

OK, I don't mean to hi-jack this thread but I'll add a question. I had a mechanic replace my half shafts and I think he opened the XREAS system as the ride appears to have gotten much worse. Does this sound possible?

If he disconnected the system somewhere other than the multiple check valve locations then yes, it's possible. Even disconnecting at the proper locations can ruin the system if the check valves don't work properly and let fluid out.

I disconnected mine at each check valve (so 4 disconnections total) and I didn't lose a single drop. Depends on your system.

following up
 

I'm hi-jacking this thread back. Guys, thanks a bunch for all the good information. So I contacted the Toyota dealership where I bought my 4runner and they'll look at it next Saturday. Hopefully they'll be able to determine if there's a leak somewhere I can't see or if I could just replace the central dampener(s) or existing shocks. For the record, how can they tell what exactly is the problem? If there are no leaks, how do they know if it's 1) the central dampeners, 2) the shocks, or 3) the whole system? And if it was disconnected previously and fluid leaked from the lines, is there anyway to know? I really don't have a lot of faith in this dealership because the service manager told me on the phone yesterday it's impossible to put anything other than another XREAS on a 4Runner with that suspension. And he said if you disconnect it the computer will always register there's something wrong. I'm pretty sure this isn't true either, right? And one final question, my steering wheel is very unresponsive, shakes constantly, and I feel every vibration from the road. Like I can watch the steering wheel when I go over any bump in the road and it is visibly shaking. It started doing this a couple months ago when the suspension started getting noticeably worse. Is this something that would likely be fixed if I replace the suspension? The tires were rotated recently so I don't think that's causing the vibration. Thanks again.

Be careful with that service dept, there is no electronic link to the suspension, it is purely mechanical in operation. In other words, the computer ain't got a damn thing to do with XREAS!

Again unless you are sold on keeping XREAS, have the system removed and replaced with Bilsteins or some other conventional shock. There's no truth to his statement on not being able to put anything else on an XREAS vehicle - I did it last weekend - no warning lights, only a better ride and a lifetime warranty.

Good luck!

Giving the guy the benefit of the doubt he might be confusing XREAS with KDSS which is similar but actually uses electronics, while the XREAS does not.

As for fluid loss, that will be somewhat difficult to verify as there is no real measure for it. As for the central dampeners... the reason I am suspecting though is that your symptoms sound similar to regular shocks that have lost their gas charge and the central dampeners are what provide that gas charge to the system. It is possible that the gas charge has leaked out from the dampeners but the hydraulic fluid has not (it looks as those internally the gas charge is in another chamber from the fluid rather than mixed in like many shocks.)

The steering wheel issue should most likely be fixed once you have proper functioning suspension, but I wouldn't rule out that the tire balance couldn't be a small factor.

Thanks for starting this thread ryanmp and thanks to everyone’s replies. I am not happy with the way that my 08 Urban Runner is riding either. I have an extended warranty and will try that rout next week with the dealership. If I do not get anywhere with them, the XREAS system is going into the dumpster.

I see a lot of talk about the Bilstein 5100 and looks to be a great price. Has anyone here tried the Strutmasters suspension kit, it cost a lot more but also includes springs, are new springs really necessary on an 08?