Has anyone removed KDSS completely?

B

Bicepus Maximus

New member
The noise my 2014 TE is making is driving me insane! I can feel it in the steering wheel and the floor when going over rough enough terrain. Seems like it's the KDSS on the 2014. Been discussed here.

It got worse after my lift was installed. Spending $45,000 on a brand new vehicle and having your suspension rattle is infuriating me.

I'm going to take it into the dealer one more time to see what they say, but assuming they don't do anything about it, I'm gonna look at removing it altogether.

I realize the advantage of the system, but it's driving me crazy! Has anyone done this before?
 
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Unless your dealer installed the lift I'd look for a off-road speciality shop in your area that works on Toyota's.

Modifying your suspension system will change the drivability of the truck to some degree but you should not have rattles excessive feedback through the steering wheel if properly installed.
 
NSW550 said:
If you don't like rattles, don't lift your truck. Better solution would be to turn up the music
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My truck is lifted and it does not rattle.

The rattle he has is not related to the lift. It is a problem with the 2014 KDSS system.

I wish I could answer your question about removing KDSS. It should be very easy to remove from a mechanical perspective. The tricky part might be avoiding codes from the computer.

They still make trails without the KDSS, right?

Hopefully, someone who has not added a lift yet, will take their trail to the dealer and throw enough of a fit that it makes it to the corporate level. It takes a long time for these issues in the field to bubble up to people who can actually address it. Even then, they often avoid action until it impacts sales.
 
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The noise is likely coming from the KDSS system.

Lift was dealer installed. And the noise was there from when the truck was brand new.

It doesn't have anything to do with the lift, except that it's more pronounced now.
 
I think you would be much better off to just sell your 4Runner--walk away--and buy an F150 like you drive at work.

BTW- Our 2014 Trail with KDSS (built 10/13) makes no noise. Nice & quiet.
 
Yeah, I'm thinking of putting mine up for sale because my KDSS might start rattling in the future. So far after 40K miles it's tight as a drum.

BTW what happened to the plan of selling yours because of the rattle (that may/may not be suspension related.)?
 
Bicepus Maximus said:
The noise is likely coming from the KDSS system.

Lift was dealer installed. And the noise was there from when the truck was brand new.

It doesn't have anything to do with the lift, except that it's more pronounced now.
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You have a '14, so it's still in warranty.... and it did this before the lift... so it's a warranty issue, right? But yet you're willing to spend big bucks to remove a sophisticated (read Lexus' too) suspension component??

Why is it, with what seems to be an obvious problem, you are not holding the dealer's feet to the fire? I don't get it.

Remove the lift if you must, but Toyota/Dealer should reconcile this issue under warranty. Man up - make some noise.

Man, the LAST thing I'd do is destroy the very feature the LE is known for on a brand new truck.... I'd trade it for a TE first.

Deleted reference to XREAS removal. Doh!
 
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philsey said:
You have a '14, so it's still in warranty.... and it did this before the lift... so it's a warranty issue, right? But yet you're willing to spend big bucks to remove a sophisticated (read Lexus' too) suspension component??

Why is it, with what seems to be an obvious problem, you are not holding the dealer's feet to the fire? I don't get it.

Remove the lift if you must, but Toyota/Dealer should reconcile this issue under warranty. Man up - make some noise.

Man, the LAST thing I'd do is destroy the very feature the LE is known for on a brand new truck.... I'd trade it for a TE first.

But, to your question; forum member [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] removed his (long time ago). It may be in his sig, but IIRC he did write it up.
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you're thinking XREAS on the Limited, [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION]. OP is referring to KDSS on the Trail.

no rattling on my 2010 TE w/ KDSS. :shrug:
 
1engineer said:
Yeah, I'm thinking of putting mine up for sale because my KDSS might start rattling in the future. So far after 40K miles it's tight as a drum.
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maybe i need another cup of coffee, but can you please confirm or deny the snark here so that i may re-calibrate my sarcasm detector? :twitch:
 
sandcrawler said:
maybe i need another cup of coffee, but can you please confirm or deny the snark here so that i may re-calibrate my sarcasm detector? :twitch:
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Oh, it's there alright. You just need to read [MENTION=80202]Bicepus Maximus[/MENTION] thread on noise. BTW I think [MENTION=74569]SOcalTRAIL[/MENTION] removed his KDSS. We even worked on a tech solution that would turn off his KDSS warning light but in the end a piece of tape over the light was the best we could do.
 
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philsey said:
You have a '14, so it's still in warranty.... and it did this before the lift... so it's a warranty issue, right? But yet you're willing to spend big bucks to remove a sophisticated (read Lexus' too) suspension component??

Why is it, with what seems to be an obvious problem, you are not holding the dealer's feet to the fire? I don't get it.

Remove the lift if you must, but Toyota/Dealer should reconcile this issue under warranty. Man up - make some noise.

Man, the LAST thing I'd do is destroy the very feature the LE is known for on a brand new truck.... I'd trade it for a TE first.

But, to your question; forum member [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] removed his (long time ago). It may be in his sig, but IIRC he did write it up.
Click to expand...

sandcrawler said:
you're thinking XREAS on the Limited, [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION]. OP is referring to KDSS on the Trail.

no rattling on my 2010 TE w/ KDSS. :shrug:
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Hahaha -- reading comprehension 101! Egad.

Well, my point is STILL the same tho - it's a new vehicle, and this still should be a warranty issue, not a new owner gutting a good component to solve a problem.
 
Yes, indeed it's KDSS, not XREAS. And yes, I'll visit the dealer and have some hard conversations if I need to.

Ultimately, my concern is how how early in the process we (everyone who's experiencing this) are. There won't be a true fix for awhile, if there even is one.

Toyota has to acknowledge that it is a design issue. Not just warranty. From what [MENTION=108441]Hessc2[/MENTION] posted here, it sounds like they're not even ready to tackle it as a warranty.

I have a lift kit working against me as well. I specifically went to the dealer to troubleshoot and document this before the lift. And I specifically got the dealer to do the lift (I've done it myself on the FJ) just in case it got worse or something else came up. But still, I have a feeling they'll be using all the excuses to avoid this.

Thanks, [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]. I'll have to explore this further once it becomes my last option.
 
Unfortunately I would bet the dealer is to blame the lift on your KDSS rattle. I have a rattle coming from my driver side a-pillar. Only mid I have is sliders and CAI. I refuse to do more mods until it's fixed. If no fix, I will trade my 4runner. Drives me insane when I want peace and quiet. I can't hear it with the radio though

Bicepus Maximus said:
Yes, indeed it's KDSS, not XREAS. And yes, I'll visit the dealer and have some hard conversations if I need to.

Ultimately, my concern is how how early in the process we (everyone who's experiencing this) are. There won't be a true fix for awhile, if there even is one.

Toyota has to acknowledge that it is a design issue. Not just warranty. From what [MENTION=108441]Hessc2[/MENTION] posted here, it sounds like they're not even ready to tackle it as a warranty.

I have a lift kit working against me as well. I specifically went to the dealer to troubleshoot and document this before the lift. And I specifically got the dealer to do the lift (I've done it myself on the FJ) just in case it got worse or something else came up. But still, I have a feeling they'll be using all the excuses to avoid this.

Thanks, [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]. I'll have to explore this further once it becomes my last option.
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I feel for you. Hope you get it resolved.

I am trading my beloved FJC Trail Team 6MT in tomorrow as it has eaten two throw-out bearings and has a new transmission at only 65K miles. I cant afford a new $1200 (labor) throw-out bearing every 30K miles.

Toyota hasn't fixed this issue, they just keep throwing bearings and transmissions hoping that it sticks. I am trading it as it is now quiet, but wont be for long.

Sucks that Toyota wont re-engineer the TOB instead letting a minority of the drivers suffer. Ahem, I am trading for a SR5 4WD, didn't want the KDSS and its potential problems. XREAS leaks, at least my '03 4Runner leaked.

I've learned for longevity, go basic. Hope you get this issue handled.

I raised complete hell at dealer and Toyota USA, which is why they put a new tranny in her. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
 
Jeas, I was looking to get a 14 TE w/KDSS...guess I should second guess that. Didn't realize there were this many problems with the system...
 
scott78945 said:
Jeas, I was looking to get a 14 TE w/KDSS...guess I should second guess that. Didn't realize there were this many problems with the system...
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Actually it appears there are SOME problems with KDSS scott. There are three different KDSS systems that have been used, with the first system not related to this problem.

Read post #51 in this link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/160261-14-te-guys-weird-noise-4.html

We know that virtually no one from the first build dates of 2010 through 7/2013 has noise issues in their KDSS system. For example I have a 6/13 build date and my KDSS is silent, and others have reported the same thing. The second group with build dates from 8/13 until 1/14 are reporting noise coming from their KDSS. The big question is if those with build dates after 2/14 will have this issue.

In other words there's a distinct possibility the problem is already confined to current owners or remaining stock with build dates from 8/13 to 2/14. The question is did they resolve the noise, and it's hard to see why they would change parts so soon in the new design run for any other reason.

Hopefully we'll get reports back from forum members with build dates of 2/14 and after.
 
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