Fixing XREAS suspension

[blue2006]

No issues with that, you'll just have to replace rear shocks as well. I used oem shocks, roughly $70 new through online toyota dealers.

ARK - i am about to pull the trigger, found a nice deal at shock surplus for assembled 6112's and the rear 5100s, last question for now is what setting do you recommend to take the rake out and level the car w the rear...
i figure i'll probably do the strutmasters or metal tech rear spring kit and remove the airbags...looking to just get the car level and take the rake out...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

ARK - i am about to pull the trigger, found a nice deal at shock surplus for assembled 6112's and the rear 5100s, last question for now is what setting do you recommend to take the rake out and level the car w the rear...
i figure i'll probably do the strutmasters or metal tech rear spring kit and remove the airbags...looking to just get the car level and take the rake out...

Not sure on the setting, from what I've seen actual lift numbers vary from what is advertised. I used the MT conversion kit, no complaints.

 

[zimm298]

Junked my XREAS for FJ springs and 5100's. Best move ever. XREAS is crap. Such a better, more responsive ride and handles like it should.

 

[64Lincoln]

I am having the X-REAS system disconnected from my 2003 Runner Limited.
In my opinion this is a terrible Toyota design that costs the vehicle owner too much extra expense to replace.
I am going to replace them with standard Bilstein heavyduty shocks recommended by ShockWareHouse.com Toyota 4-Runner X-REAS Shocks - Shockwarehouse.com - Shockwarehouse.com

As my shocks are right now, the shocks chatter a lot when I drive on a rough road. It's almost like the whole vehicle's bottom undercarriage is going to come off. One of the shocks is already leaking.

When I had them replaced with new OEM shocks, I knew anything about the X-REAS system. My mechanic didn't know much about them either. So when they replaced them with the new Toyota shocks, the center control absorber was probably going bad but no one knew it at the time. This has damaged the "new" OEM shocks I put in about 16,000 miles ago only to understand that I should have replaced the whole X-REAS system at that time.

Toyota did not tell my mechanic that the entire X-REAS system needs to be replaced when he purchased the shocks at that time from the Toyota dealership.:gun4:

ShockWareHouse.com has a link to the DIY X-REAS removal instructions at the bottom of their webpage. Very nice and informative.

I will post an update after I get this fixed. Stay tuned.

 

[WTS]

Hi,

I'm glad I found this thread. I also have a 2003 LTD V8 with the XREAS. It does seem to be riding rougher when it's cold out(below 0C), but it may also just be my LTX tires getting old and the rubber is hardening, I don't know but I'd like it to ride somewhat softer(it rarely or never goes off road). It would be nice if it rode like the wife's RX350, but I know that isn't possible, lol.

Does the XREAS system not act as an anti sway system or to help with side roll on cornering? I actually never looked to see if there is a sway bar on the back(or front). I assume it must have sway bars as no one has mentioned that the XREAS doesn't have them when they are removing the system.

What after market or Toyota shocks can give it a well controlled ride but softer at the same time?

 

[RonJR]

Regardless of XREAS, the 4runner has mechanical sway bars front and rear.

 

[WTS]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Okay, but wasn't the reason for the XREAS was to aid in improving roll and if it's removed then the roll will not be as good. OF course that might be dependant on the after market shock used to I suppose.

 

[WTS]

speaking of suspension, are there any threads on lowering the rear end as I think it sits too high. I know it was designed that way but I think it would look nicer lowered to be the same as the front. Mine also has the air bag system in the rear.

 

[RonJR]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Okay, but wasn't the reason for the XREAS was to aid in improving roll and if it's removed then the roll will not be as good. OF course that might be dependant on the after market shock used to I suppose.

Keep in mind that the straight SR5's do not have XREAS, and they perform adequately on the highway and meet all safety requirements. I think XREAS is a great engineering idea, but I also believe, based on experiences that people share on this forum, that it solves a "problem" that only very aggressive drivers would ever notice. That's why it's on the "Sport" version - purportedly the Sport will handle and corner more like a sports car. But, realistically, how many people drive their 4runners that way?

I read more complaints on this forum about poor handling due to worn out XREAS than I do complaints about poor handling of the stock SR5 w/o XREAS.

And again, the general forum experience seems to be that handling is improved by removing the XREAS (esp if worn out) and replacing it with a good shock like the Bilstein 5100. I would guess the Bilstein would control roll well, but likely be stiffer and may feel harsher than stock. That may not be what you want.

I've shared before that my '94 4runner has only a front sway bar and OEM shocks, and for my driving style (on the upper end of moderate, but not aggressive), the '94 corners every bit as well as the '06 when driving the mountain canyons around here.

 

[WTS]

Like you I live right next door to the Rockies(Canadian side) and I do find it does handle the winding roads better the wife's Lexus and I think that is the XREAS system keeping it in the corners.

Yes I'm sure the SR5 handles very well too and also installing heavy duty shocks would no doubt improve excessive rolling (over OEM shocks) as well but along with a slightly harsher ride. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones whose XREAS system is still functioning without any leaks or other problems. My 4R LTD only has 100k miles on so I'm sure in due time they will breakdown, lol.

Thanks for your input.

 

[BMeister]

My XREAS made it to 150k before I changed to a toytec lift. Best decision I ever made but I can understand keeping your truck as is. But you can't go wrong with aftermarket. Feels like a new truck all over again.

 

[MikeFrazier]

Hey guys i have been dealing with this same thing for a while now. Horribly rough ride in my 03 sport edition 4x4. Crazy vibrations coming through the steering wheel over the smallest bumps. I'm not necessarily looking to do a lift since i don't do much off-roading but are there any suggestions over replacing my xreas with stock height suspension. Looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. Thanks guys.

 

[Tohrnan]

Hey Lincoln did you swap your suspension with the 4600HD? How are they?
Hey guys please help me out here.
I'm in SD, and I found only one shop that does the swap, but he only suggests the bilstein 4600 HD.
Are they to hard with oem coils?

2007 sport Edition V6 2wd

 

[Ruthven13]

Just curious and this may have been covered before and I just missed it. Can just the XREAS shocks be replaced with the proper ones or does the whole system need to be done? Or just individual parts of it with the corresponding replacement parts? I like having it and have no intentions to lift it except for maybe a front leveling kit. Besides, the factory rear air springs make lifting a little more involved and I like the self leveling feature...

 

[RonJR]

There are certain points in the XREAS system that have check valves where you can open it with a minimal loss of fluid. I believe Toyota says you can open the system once to replace an individual shock, but the next time you will have to replace the entire system. It doesn't contain a lot of fluid, so a few drops lost compromises its performance significantly. There is no way to add fluid to the system outside the factory.

A replacement XREAS system consists of 4 shocks, dampers, check valves, and all of the interconnecting tubing shipped as a complete, closed system, and is installed as such by the dealer shop. That's why it costs upward of $2500 to replace it. Also why most people just remove it when it fails and replace it with more conventional shocks.

If you want to stay OEM, you can replace the XREAS shocks with the conventional OEM shocks for an SR5, and your Sport will now handle and ride like an SR5.

 

[natevans65]

Throwing my hat in the ring, replaced mine with Bilsteins and Toytech 3" lift. I told the guy who was doing the removal of the system that the lines are connected to the shocks with fluid.....so "Be Careful." When I went to pick it up the mech told me that fluid when all over the floor of his shop.....I told him, watch out! No sense to me to replace that expensive system....my new set up works out just fine and easier to work on and no worries of fluids, cross lines, expensive repairs etc....

 

[ethanmike51]

03 4Runner

Okay, so i have an 03 4runner sport withe the XREAS. I am having a really hard time finding a good answer on what i should do. So the front end seems to dive and float to the point where it makes me sick. Some say to completely replace the system stock, some say to go aftermarket. I really wasnt looking to spend the money on it, but is there any way to tell if it can be fixed? (at a reasonable price)Thanks!

 

[grave]

your question was answered a couple posts up. also one million other times on this forum.

There are certain points in the XREAS system that have check valves where you can open it with a minimal loss of fluid. I believe Toyota says you can open the system once to replace an individual shock, but the next time you will have to replace the entire system. It doesn't contain a lot of fluid, so a few drops lost compromises its performance significantly. There is no way to add fluid to the system outside the factory.

A replacement XREAS system consists of 4 shocks, dampers, check valves, and all of the interconnecting tubing shipped as a complete, closed system, and is installed as such by the dealer shop. That's why it costs upward of $2500 to replace it. Also why most people just remove it when it fails and replace it with more conventional shocks.

If you want to stay OEM, you can replace the XREAS shocks with the conventional OEM shocks for an SR5, and your Sport will now handle and ride like an SR5.

 

[094Runner]

This should help. Refer to the attached pdf. file below.

From the Toyota service manual, "An individual component may be replaced only when the system is repaired for the first time,
provided that there is no oil leakage. During the second and subsequent repairs, the entire system
(consisting of front shock absorbers, rear shock absorbers, center control absorbers, and tube
assemblies) must be replaced as a unit, because of the likelihood of oil leakage from the joints."

How to fix XREAS suspension.
Fixing XREAS suspension

 

[094Runner]

Toyota Shock Absorber Warranty Replacement Criteria. Some fluid leaking from a shock or strut is considered by Toyota to be normal. Refer to the attached pdf. file below. NOTE: This chart is used by Toyota to determine if a shock qualifies for warranty replacement. This chart is NOT intended to be used as the sole criteria for determining if a shock requires replacement outside of the warranty period.