New KDSS boot or the whole strut?

[namsag]

Hello, mostly lurker guy here. I have a problem I wanted to see if anyone else has any experience with.

About a month ago some dogs got under my vehicle and chewed the crap out of my 4Runner. I guess they saw (or thought they saw) a squirrel or something run under the front end, and they just absolutely chewed up the soft splash guards, fender liners, etc. Most of that stuff is cosmetic and easily replaced, but unfortunately they also tore the boot off the KDSS strut, leaving it exposed. I went in to get it fixed and got a quote for the soft parts and replacement of the KDSS boot. $1200, only they couldn't get the parts right away so I have been driving it.

A few days ago the dealership called and said they could get the parts, and wanted to bring it back in "just to make sure they order the right parts." The service advisor who wrote up the estimate the first time is no longer there, so the new guy comes up and says the KDSS boot cannot be replaced, the whole strut needs replacing, to the tune of $1700 for the strut plus labor, plus the other parts. Now we're up to several thousand dollars.

When it was $1200 I was just going to pay it myself, but if we replace the whole strut I will have to get insurance involved.

Has anyone run into this before? Can we put a boot on and keep going? Or has the exposed strut been damaged/compromised some way that requires that it be changed? Any opinions/help appreciated.

Thanks,namsag.

 

[Crikeymike]

Are there any leaks?

I've heard they run at pretty high pressure, so I figure if it was damaged, then it would be leaking and not working properly. I don't have any first hand experience with them though, just my thoughts.

 

[wfo9]

the pain and repair cost of KDSS hurts everytime someone has the slightest issue with it...

Here is the deal.. dealers simply don't know much about unique systems on cars. The techs can usually only follow the repair guide and don't know how to independently think.... in an attempt to save the customer money. Most dealer visits these days result in a bill over 1k.

Similar thing just happened to me on another car I own. The evap vent valve went out at 100k. It's a $25 part. Took it to the dealer because my shoulder was hurting and did not want to do it myself. Called me up and said $1200 to replace. I just laughed.

Purchased the part ($25 OEM.. dealer claimed it was $300+) and started to do it myself. but the entire rear cradle needed to be dropped and my shoulder could not take the overhead work. I could get my hands on it, but there was a clip I could not get a screwdriver in to release. So I called a local independent shop who said they would do it for $200. I went in there and handed them instructions that I had copied from a forum on how to do it... It included pictures and and the whole bit... Guy calls me later in the day and says the tech would not use my instructions and wanted to do it by the "book". Took them 8hrs. They still only charged me the original estimate and some change. Morale of the story... you can't teach these people anything. They will only go by what the book states and it is rarely the most efficient or cost effective approach to solve a problem.

In your case though... Probably hard to find a boot for that cylinder... but I would at least try. A simple shock boot cut to fit should work. It's just a very rare system with 0 non-oem support. You will have to be creative to save a thousand dollars. Your call.

 

[RUNTHAT]

Sheesh, those are some steep numbers $$. Please update this thread when you get it all resolved. Good luck.

 

[wfo9]

Sheesh, those are some steep numbers $$. Please update this thread when you get it all resolved. Good luck.

LOL. no hate.. Any one off system hurts. And one off suspension really hurts the pocket book. Luckily it is pretty reliable.

I never would have imagined dogs chewing up the boot.... It has other issues, but the boot being ripped off is a completely unique situation. So it's :moon: or get creative.

 

[e60ral]

Yuk on this KDSS stuff , just imagine 10 years from now who's going to want to deal with this used leaky system that's hard to find parts for .nobody will know how to fix it. Just like now we're tearing off the old air suspensions off of the junk from the 90s we will be tearing off all this junk in the future.

there aren't a lot of problems with KDSS to worry about, but some of us can afford to fix things or buy a warranty and enjoy the benefits

 

[nb rob]

Throw a boot on it.

I've also had evap solonoids go on another vehicle... what an overpriced rukus that was at the parts counter. I also found the part for $25 online!

What kind of mongrel animals chew boots and splash guards off of vehicles?!?!
I'd also upgrade to greyhounds while you're at it.

 

[4FL]

Yuk on this KDSS stuff , just imagine 10 years from now who's going to want to deal with this used leaky system that's hard to find parts for .nobody will know how to fix it. Just like now we're tearing off the old air suspensions off of the junk from the 90s we will be tearing off all this junk in the future.

It has been out since 2004 of the GX's...It is not exactly new or anything.

It has been in the 4runners since 2010, not new to them either.

 

[philsey]

The scary part of this story is the dogs (plural) .... dude, where the hell do you live that dogs like this run loose!!! ????

Did I say scary, scary as hell?

What would dogs like these do to a little kid? YIKES!

I'd be shooting them sumbeeches if they came on my property.

 

[namsag]

The scary part of this story is the dogs (plural) .... dude, where the hell do you live that dogs like this run loose!!! ????

Did I say scary, scary as hell?

What would dogs like these do to a little kid? YIKES!

I'd be shooting them sumbeeches if they came on my property.

In the woods in Mississippi! Strays are a fact of life around here. Every dog we've had for the past 20 yrs has been a stray.

 

[namsag]

Are there any leaks?

No leaks, system seems to be working fine.

 

[Jetboy]

A suspension boot should cost about $10 for the part. I'd guess in my garage that swapping that boot would take my about an hour total. So I'd say $150 would be more in the range of reasonableness to fix that.

I'd be shocked if a dog could damage the piston.

 

[DeepSea]

there aren't a lot of problems with KDSS to worry about, but some of us can afford to fix things or buy a warranty and enjoy the benefits

It has been out since 2004 of the GX's...It is not exactly new or anything.

It has been in the 4runners since 2010, not new to them either.

x 2 What these guys said. KDSS is well worth it as I've had both versions. Here is how 4x4 Australia rates KDSS: https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/road-tests/1606/toyota-prado-kdss-test :cheers:

 

[Jeremy556]

Also note : manufacturers are only required by law to make replacement parts for seven years after the end of production. If the 6th gen does not carry over KDSS you can imagine the implications years down the road being that the system is pretty rare to begin with. This is increasingly a problem with Toyotas just in time manufacturing processes.

Holy shit, you are like the KDSS Baghdad Bob. JIT, really? 1983 called and wants its buzzword back. The Kaizen, lean, agile scrum master says no KDSS for you.

It's a simple hydraulic piston with a boot over it for protection. Replace it with a split boot and some zip ties

 

[wfo9]

It's a simple hydraulic piston with a boot over it for protection. Replace it with a split boot and some zip ties

Agreed, but try suggesting that to a dealer. LOL. You are pretty much on your own with something like this or paying the dealer to replace large portions of the system. Nobody knows how to "repair" anything these days.

 

[flyboysgt]

Hydraulic pistons don't seal with a boot on the outside. There will be internal seals that keep it from leaking. If there is deep scratches or pits on the rod, it will eventually wear the seal and leak. Either way, do as suggested. Find a $10 boot and throw it on there with some zip ties. It's just to protect against rocks and such.


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[timelapse]

Hydraulic pistons don't seal with a boot on the outside. There will be internal seals that keep it from leaking. If there is deep scratches or pits on the rod, it will eventually wear the seal and leak. Either way, do as suggested. Find a $10 boot and throw it on there with some zip ties. It's just to protect against rocks and such.


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What was your final solution, OP? Did you find a replacement boot for the KDSS piston?

 

[alphabeast]

OP - I would love to see pictures of the damage if you have any. Also if you can find a boot and do this yourself, you can put your money into a massive electric fence (like the ones in Jurassic Park) around your truck.. It's also possible that this was done by a Chupacabra - they are huge haters of KDSS.