Leaking XREAS Service / Replacement

[RickyCRX]

I'm sure you would have been quite happy riding a bicycle had you not been introduced to a motor vehicle. :bash: :headslap:


Sure, regular shocks get the job done, but for those of us that push the envelope a bit more than the average soccer mom, XREAS does a better job in keeping body roll to a minimum and keeping the vehicle more settled when doing hard cornering.

 

[Falkon]

I agree and have enjoyed the benefits of XREAS handling abilities which is why I am seeking to restore mine to normal operating performance.

 

[RickyCRX]

With 75k miles on my '03 Sport, I'm starting to get concerned due to the fact that there's now been a couple of people in the 50-75k mile range that have had XREAS shock failures.... I will have to start keeping a closer eye on my shocks for any signs of leakage.

Ricky

 

[Falkon]

I guess one can successfully manage the risks of complete system failure if the shock leakage is identified in time. That is, you can replace just the single faulty shock if identified at the premature stage.

 

[RickyCRX]

That's what I'm hoping.... Unfortunately, I only really look under the 4Runner every 7500 miles when I'm rotating tires.... d'oh.

Ricky

 

[Falkon]

You dont really have to get under the car to observe a leaking shock absorber, I observed mine while it was parked in my drive way. I was looking around for something else when I saw the shiny strut, to my amazement. It was then that I took it in to the dealer for a closer observation where I was shocked with the repair cost of what I thought would have been a quick fix.

It will be good practice to, every once in a while, visually inspect these systems to forestall costly repairs down the road. Especially since not enough statistical data exists to determine a possible life expectancy of these and the T4R maintenance guide is silent about a recommended best practice.

Nevertheless, shocks should not be expected to last forever; they are among the most dynamically excercised component of every vehicle.

 

[KMX3060]

Has anyone ever replaced just one XREAS shock?

Can you replace just one shock?

Anyone with a shop manual that can look this up?

 

[Coralkillah]

Replace one shock

i was told by toyota that because the system is cross linked, if you replace 1, you have to replace all, but seeing as the Toyota Techs really didn't know much about X-REAS anyways, I can't be positive.....

 

[Expat]

There should be no problem replacing one shock (as long as you don't lose oil)...except....replacing just one shock with say 30,000ml on it while the rest of the shocks have done 75,000ml might cause some variation in dampening. ????

I think you'd find enough XREAS shock for sale secondhand cheaply that you would be best off just replacing all four at the same time. There a a few people who are changing out their XREAS with less than 15,000m so you could pickup some pretty good systems secondhand foir a few hundred $. The next cheapest would be to go to full OME or the like for a little less than $1000.

 

[EdDucks916]

I sure hope these shocks have no need to be replaced. We'll see what happens in 4-5 years from now, that is if I still own the 4Runner by that time.

 

[Falkon]

I thought to thank everyone that participated in this thread; I finally got my XREAS shocks replaced with the ones Expat removed from his T4R. Boy, am I happy? I am ecstatic! Drive quality is back to excellent.

It's amazing how the mod bug bites, I hadn't planned for a lift but with Expat throwing in his DayStar spacers and a few words of encouragement I installed them and I am quite pleased. I will now have to watch my appetite for other mods.

Regards.

 

[jharris2]

I thought to thank everyone that participated in this thread; I finally got my XREAS shocks replaced with the ones Expat removed from his T4R. Boy, am I happy? I am ecstatic! Drive quality is back to excellent.

It's amazing how the mod bug bites, I hadn't planned for a lift but with Expat throwing in his DayStar spacers and a few words of encouragement I installed them and I am quite pleased. I will now have to watch my appetite for other mods.

Regards.

Glad to hear that it's back to normal!

 

[lilreds21]

what to do....

i have all 4 blown x-reas... to do after market or keep the x-reas.... that is the question!:bash:

 

[ScooterMD]

I thought to thank everyone that participated in this thread; I finally got my XREAS shocks replaced with the ones Expat removed from his T4R. Boy, am I happy? I am ecstatic! Drive quality is back to excellent.

It's amazing how the mod bug bites, I hadn't planned for a lift but with Expat throwing in his DayStar spacers and a few words of encouragement I installed them and I am quite pleased. I will now have to watch my appetite for other mods.

Regards.

Hi Falkon: did you replace the XREAS shocks yourself? Or did you take it somewhere?

Has anyone else replaced their XREAS theirselves?

 

[chaditotx]

I think I used stock suspension off a 2008 FJ on my 04 when the XREAS went out.