X-reas (strut) leaking! Questions/Help!

[10ring]

New to the forum
Background:
03 Sport Edition, 2 wd, V6, w/120,000 miles. Tires (stock size)50% wear always rotated/balanced at 3000k miles.

off road activity= fire roads and desert raods most flat and rutted. 1-2 days per month.

GREAT reliability. Only issue - I hate the drivers seat. Toyota replaced rails twice! now have wooden block in place to take-out movement/slack.

I really like the ride, not too stiff and does not sway like some SUV's (assume XREAS).

Had wheels aligned today (first time - corrected slight toe in issue that just cropped up on passenger side front).

Mechanic told me one of my struts was leaking and should be replaced but mine had a special system that required the Toyota dealer (read X-REAS).

Questions:
Advice - should I replace the leaking strut? Can I do it myself or are there special tools?
Are there better aftermarket shocks/struts? Has anyone tried different set ups?
Your advice is very much appreciated

 

[TeryT]

Thanks for the post, as I have been thinking about my Xreas system too.

My understanding is that it is a dealer item, and is pricey. You might do a search on here as this has been discussed before, but I seem to remember that you have to replace the other diagonal piston at the same time. This is because these "shocks" are connected diagonally- that is, front right to rear left, and front left to rear right.

There is also a center piston actuator that goes with each diagonal pair. You can see this mounted on the outside of the frame rail, right under the driver's door.

Somebody on here said that if you replace them with regular shocks, such as Bilsteins, then you have to remove all four. However, the Xreas system is one of the main reasons for the superior ride and corner handling of the 4Runner (which have that option).

I have 10k miles left on my 100k mile warranty, and plan on checking these real closely at about 98k miles!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

There are many who have elected to 'ditch' the XREAS and go with Bilstein or equiv. It's mostly been in the context of lifting. Most who ditch the XREAS claim they don't miss it. Some have gone from 2/1 or 3/2 spacer lifts with XREAS to OME/Bilstien setups and still don't miss it. If I were in your shoes I'd be looking for 4 premium OEM style replacement shocks and install those.

If after I installed them I felt like I was missing some of the handling performance I'd do a cheap swaybar bushing upgrade and the be done with it. See my sig for more info.

:cheers: