Lifts are turning out to be a PITA

[boston_kevin]

but how do you bleed the system??

No matter how careful you are, if you detach one component (one line) you will always add air to the system. Air in a hydraulic system is problematic (at best).... Any way to bleed these shocks?

 

[RXvedub]

I am trying ot download the FSM, but i dont know how to catogorise and bookmark adobe for easy look up, So i gave up.

What you want is the "NEW CAR FETURE BOOK" for '03. That book will have the most technical information on the X-reas because that was the first year with the new feture.

 

[Sac State]

XREAS was built and designed by Yamaha. Maybe Yamaha has something technical about the system?

 

[RXvedub]

XREAS was built and designed by Yamaha. Maybe Yamaha has something technical about the system?

No No, bolieve me, New Car Feture book will have the most information that will be offered. After I found out about this book at One of the Lexus training classes I took, I went to it avery time on the comp in the shop

 

[LT5]

I may be able to shed some insight on a few aspects of XREAS maintenace. My Limited didn't have the XREAS and my wife has a lead foot so I needed the system for "safety" reasons. A friendly parts manager ordered all the parts at his cost.

The factory installed parts differ from the replacement as the front hard line is in 2 sections rather than one, since the body is now on the frame. Each side has 5 components and are factory filled. All ends utilize a nifty check valve setup. I installed and removed a "B-Nut" a couple of times and no fluid leakage was noted. No external bleeding is required. Page 25-18 of the manual spells out what to replace in regards to system leakage. IMHO Yamaha and KYB designed a simple and easy to maintain system, and it works.

 

[hre814]

in reference to the post above, i was looking at the manual on page 25-18/19. It shows arrows where the connections are. Does that mean they can be disconnected here without any leakage/bleeding of the system? Just wondering, because instead of keeping the strut assembly in place when installing the front spacers for a lift, could you disconnect it at that point and remove the strut assembly? thanks!

 

[live4swell]

There is a whole discussion about this issue at that website that was posted in Off Topics a ways back about NE...i found it doing a search to find out more info ab out the NE relocs and any other issues...what a sketchy company if you can even call it a company

http://www.1-2-free-forums.com/mf/nitroland-about23-0-asc-0.html

page 2 or so starts talkin about leaking shocks

 

[RL Lemke]

The factory installed parts differ from the replacement as the front hard line is in 2 sections rather than one, since the body is now on the frame. Each side has 5 components and are factory filled. All ends utilize a nifty check valve setup. I installed and removed a "B-Nut" a couple of times and no fluid leakage was noted. No external bleeding is required. Page 25-18 of the manual spells out what to replace in regards to system leakage. IMHO Yamaha and KYB designed a simple and easy to maintain system, and it works.

Your experience is what I saw when the dealer tech unbolted the front struts to add the lift on his workbench.

After reading all the posts here and Yota related to coil over struts and many of the hundreds of posts regarding lifts, I have come to a few additional conclusions. Oh yea, I have read a number of coil over posts on other forums too.

1) I am still getting rid of the front struts with the spacer lifts. They will sit in the garage to be used when my coil overs ever need to be rebuilt. Just like how I keep the stock suspension parts when I upgrade the shocks on my motorcycles.

2) The NE 3" spacers will remain in the rear. I am waiting for replacement coil springs that provide a non-sagging lift.

3) The NE relocation bolts will be sent back to Anthony along with the rest of the front lift parts. Maybe he will be kind enough to refund my purchase price.

4) I am still upset that the dealer said that the entire Xreas system would have to be replaced after only one shock leaked. Braking systems are every bit as complicated and you don't have to replace everything if one part is replaced.

5) My order for the first of the Donahoe 2.5" coil over struts is in. They are shipping on March 1st.

6) I spent yesterday in the Ozarks on the mountain roads and trails on the land I am a partner in. First by myself, then with a carload touring the property. All of this was done with no shocks as all the fluid has long since drained away. The ride and drive was still excellent.

7) The shudder I have been concerned about is probably due to the reduced and now non-empty shock fluid. On freeway bumps I now get a lot of shudder.

I'll start a new thread with a photo and thoughts about this last off road adventure.

 

[LT5]

in reference to the post above, i was looking at the manual on page 25-18/19. It shows arrows where the connections are. Does that mean they can be disconnected here without any leakage/bleeding of the system? Just wondering, because instead of keeping the strut assembly in place when installing the front spacers for a lift, could you disconnect it at that point and remove the strut assembly? thanks!

The front struts can be disconnected at the forward most connection shown by the arrows on page 25-19. See page 26-13 for a better view of removing the front struts. As a test I disconnected a "B-Nut" a few times and saw no leakage. I didn't do any external bleeding to the system after installation. Just remember to let all the shocks extend to full travel before disconnecting any lines. I found the struts were easier to manipulate in and out after disconnecting the tie-rods from the lower arms.

 

[bulldog-yota]

3) The NE relocation bolts will be sent back to Anthony along with the rest of the front lift parts. Maybe he will be kind enough to refund my purchase price.

You are obviously way more calm than I am, I'm actually pretty calm by nature. But I would not think of him as kind enough for a refund, if you folow the thread here and on YT and see the pics 4run4fun took, you will realize that his system with the dealer install probably caused your failure. However it is your choice what to do.

Good luck with the Donahoe's, BTW you need to let us know how well they work. What are you planning to use for the rear??

 

[dcampen]

2) The NE 3" spacers will remain in the rear. I am waiting for replacement coil springs that provide a non-sagging lift.

Will you also be adding a longer set of rear shocks like those provided in the Revtek kit?

4) I am still upset that the dealer said that the entire Xreas system would have to be replaced after only one shock leaked. Braking systems are every bit as complicated and you don't have to replace everything if one part is replaced.

Yeah, but you are removing the XREAS system so that you can install the coilover lift, right?

5) My order for the first of the Donahoe 2.5" coil over struts is in. They are shipping on March 1st.

Are they accepting additional orders at this time?

 

[LT5]

Your experience is what I saw when the dealer tech unbolted the front struts to add the lift on his workbench.

After reading all the posts here and Yota related to coil over struts and many of the hundreds of posts regarding lifts, I have come to a few additional conclusions. Oh yea, I have read a number of coil over posts on other forums too.

1) I am still getting rid of the front struts with the spacer lifts. They will sit in the garage to be used when my coil overs ever need to be rebuilt. Just like how I keep the stock suspension parts when I upgrade the shocks on my motorcycles.

4) I am still upset that the dealer said that the entire Xreas system would have to be replaced after only one shock leaked. Braking systems are every bit as complicated and you don't have to replace everything if one part is replaced.

If only one shock had leaked then at most only half the system would need to be replaced. The "stealer" is incorrect..

I agree, if you have intentions of lifting and wheeling the rig a simple coilover/shock setup is the best. The XREAS was designed for onroad driving. For that purpose it's a simple system compared to an electronic type.

 

[RL Lemke]

I am going to use the longer shocks supplied by Revtek for now. Donahoe is going to offer longer shocks for the 4Runner to match their struts sometime soon.

The purchase of the coil over struts is being done for two reasons: 1) Spacer lifts provide way too harsh a ride for me. & 2) When the dealer said $1,200 plus install for the Xreas, I was upset.

I did simple math. $1,200 to be back to where I was unhappy? Revtek made it clear that without relocating the rear shock mount, their spacer lift would not work. The NE relocation bolt may be the cause of the leak in the rear shock. No, If I am going to spend $1,200, I might as well go all the way to a coil over strut.

Donahoe distributers will have the 4Runner parts on March 1st. I already have the part number and my order has been in for days. I want mine in hand before all y'all start ordering. I have already delayed my Moab trip in order to get this done right, one last time.

 

[RL Lemke]

The front struts can be disconnected at the forward most connection shown by the arrows on page 25-19. See page 26-13 for a better view of removing the front struts. As a test I disconnected a "B-Nut" a few times and saw no leakage. I didn't do any external bleeding to the system after installation. Just remember to let all the shocks extend to full travel before disconnecting any lines. I found the struts were easier to manipulate in and out after disconnecting the tie-rods from the lower arms.

I know that is right. The tech at the dealership said he consulted with whoever at Toyota. Their position was to replace everything.

I have one leak, and no effective shocks at all. Push on the bumper anywhere and it bounces like a ball. There must be some connection between the two systems.

 

[LT5]

I know that is right. The tech at the dealership said he consulted with whoever at Toyota. Their position was to replace everything.

I have one leak, and no effective shocks at all. Push on the bumper anywhere and it bounces like a ball. There must be some connection between the two systems.

There is no physical connection between crosslinked sides. But each side is diagonal,leaking one shock affects the other in that system.You lost one front and one opposite side rear shock. That might be enough to cause the ball bouncing you are seeing. I can only "arm- chair troubleshoot" your system and can't see what the Techs are seeing. But a likely reason to replace all components.. money and to cover their ass. The manual states on page 25-12 what to replace. Each side is a self- contained system.

 

[Fro-Runner]

Let me KNOW how those Donahue Coilovers work please! They may have strong dibs on my tax refund $duckies$!

 

[dcampen]

Sent Donahoe an email yesterday afternoon asking for information about their coilover lifts for 4Gens. Haven't heard anything yet.

 

[RL Lemke]

Let me KNOW how those Donahue Coilovers work please! They may have strong dibs on my tax refund $duckies$!

I will post before and after photos for all. I'll also post the part numbers.

 

[4route]

my XREAS system is ruined as well and I'm doing something similar to RL, except that my parts are already in.

I went with the Sway-A-Way / RaceRunner 2.0 Coilovers which just came out. They were $750 plus shipping.

NE stuff will be coming off, ASAP.

Longer rear shocks will be put in when I install the coilovers, and when we remove the XREAS system, I'll take note of the procedure.

SAW / RaceRunner also is coming out with 2.5 coilovers as well - the only difference is in the size of the shock, and the price. And that 2.5 kit will come with a red sway bar, since the 2.5 coilovers will require an aftermarket sway bar.

anyway, just another option that's out there.

SAW part number for the 4th gen. 2.0 coilovers (note that the "2.0" part has nothing to do with the amount of lift it gives) is:

52000-108-11

If you go that route, make SURE you get the part that ends in the -11, as it is the ONLY one that will fit. They may try to tell you that the numbers differ only in the coilover valving, but while this is true on past years, for the 4th gen. you MUST get the -11 part.

 

[RL Lemke]

Here is updated information for my planned coil over install.

After consultation with Good Times and Donahoe Racing, I have decided to replace the upper A arms. The longer travel of the coil over struts, and the increased width, allow the top A arm to contact the coil spring on full extension. Aftermarket A arms fix this and allow for the full extension. I am going with the same replacement Good Times has used - http://www.chaosfab.com/uca4runner.html