Just replaced X-REAS shocks due to leak - and my ride sucks!

[fatman75]

I need some help! I just replaced the X-reas shocks on my 2005 sport because two were leaking. I replaced them with original equipment (X-reas) because I've always liked the ride. I took the truck to a local independent shop, and had them replace all four. $1400 later, my ride feels like crap. It's extremely rough and feels like it's jumping all over the place in the rear. There are also all kinds of rattles and various other sounds coming from under my suspension that weren't there before. It's fine on smooth road, but once I start going over a rough patch, it sounds like the bottom of my car is going to fall out.

I took it back to the shop and they said everything looked and sounded fine. I took it to another shop for their opinion and they thought everything looked good, too. Finally, I took it to the dealer and they told me they made some adjustments, but that didn't fix anything either.

I've been told that replacing the X-reas shocks can be a little tricky, but this is ridiculous! Does anyone know what might be going on? Did all three shops miss something or am I going crazy. I know my truck, and I know this is not how it should feel/sound.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm in Southern California if anyone can suggest a good place to take my 4runner to get checked out by people who know about X-reas.

Thanks

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Xres is a closed system, no way to add fluid. I'm assuming that they just replaced the shocks and not lines. At some point, sounds like fluid was lost, thus casing the ride. Everything visually looks fine and there is no way to check the fluid. Most plaaces are not familiar with xreas a d there's a certain procedure to follow to remove the old shocks without loosing fluid. Sounds to me like the shbop messed it up, new. Shocks very well could be ruined. And I think the dealer is blowing you off cause they don't wanna mess with it, there are no adjustments on the xreas system.

 

[IK13]

I need some help! I just replaced the X-reas shocks on my 2005 sport because two were leaking. I replaced them with original equipment (X-reas) because I've always liked the ride. I took the truck to a local independent shop, and had them replace all four. $1400 later, my ride feels like crap. It's extremely rough and feels like it's jumping all over the place in the rear. There are also all kinds of rattles and various other sounds coming from under my suspension that weren't there before. It's fine on smooth road, but once I start going over a rough patch, it sounds like the bottom of my car is going to fall out.

I took it back to the shop and they said everything looked and sounded fine. I took it to another shop for their opinion and they thought everything looked good, too. Finally, I took it to the dealer and they told me they made some adjustments, but that didn't fix anything either.

I've been told that replacing the X-reas shocks can be a little tricky, but this is ridiculous! Does anyone know what might be going on? Did all three shops miss something or am I going crazy. I know my truck, and I know this is not how it should feel/sound.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm in Southern California if anyone can suggest a good place to take my 4runner to get checked out by people who know about X-reas.

Thanks

My car (same 2005 sport) is at the dealer right now. I left it for an oil change and tranny flush. They told me that two of the shocks were leaking a little and my extended warranty would cover it. I gave OK. Hope they know what they're doing...

 

[NJTim]

X Reas replacement problems/questions

New to site. Found more info here than at dealer or shop.
I have 2007 sport edition, V8, 130k and no major suspension problems til now.
I had to have front struts replaced due to what I would call normal wear n tear. Local chain shop did work. I fully explained to them that it had X Reas system, etc.
They replaced front two. Told me I could do back two at later time.
I did the rear two months later and only then did I find this forum site.
My questions are,

1. Can the struts be changed like that with them being crossed linked?

2. I don't know if they followed procedure to minimize leakage and since they
did the replacement in two stages, could they have drained lines and or
messed up the central control absorber?

The front end is bottoming out on the smallest of bumps and I have measured off level ground to the underside or wheel wells and got all different measurements. Basically it has visible tilt to
Left and downward from rear to front with drivers side front being lowest.

Also, front coils are new.

Any direction would be appreciated, cause they have no clue!
NJ Tim

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

It is common for the drivers side to sit lower, that's not an issue, there's just more weight on that side. As for the shocks, it's best if they are replaced in pairs, but the connected pairs, not both fronts our both rears. It sounds like fluid was lost when they installed the rear shocks. the front/rear shocks are connected in an x pattern, so a loss of fluid in the rear would definitely affect the front. You need to talk to the shop, basically they ruined the system, needs to be replaced again.

 

[NJTim]

Xreas

Anybody know where I can find a link for the proper procedures for replacing
The xreas system? I found diagrams for the system from Toyota.
I'm specifically looking for how the struts can be replaced with out fluid loss.

I'm still going at it with shop that messed up my system.
Any direction would be appreciated!

Thanks,
NjTim