Xreas failure at 30k miles

[17Jetta]

Title pretty much says it all. My drivers front shock is leaking at 30k miles. 2016 Limited purchased as a leftover March of 2017 so barely out of 36 month bumper to bumper.

Already spoke with Toyota Corporate and they were not very helpful. Toyota is offering $400 as a goodwill gesture towards replacing drivers front shock, lines, accumulator, and passenger rear shock. Dealer estimated $2200 at first, but once Toyota came to the rescue, dealer is now at $1800 for the job. So $1400 out of my pocket for an obviously defective part from the factory.

As of now, I (we) haven’t noticed any degradation in handling. However, this is my wife’s daily driver and she does most of the parental duty hauling around our two amazing children.

I purchased the 4Runner because I thought it was the best mid size SUV available and had Toyota reliability behind it. I was wrong. Toyota has really let me down.

This has been beat to death on the forums and I should have known better. Xreas is failure prone.

Looking for recommendations on what to replace the Xreas suspension with. We get dirt on the tires 3 or 4 times a year, so just looking to replace with OEM quality. Not looking for a lift. Would prefer a compliant ride to off road capability.

Appreciate any input or commiserations.

 

[17Jetta]

 

[4Rums]

I feel your pain and frustration. Mine went out at 60k. The main thing I noticed when it went bad was extra body roll. I almost soiled my pants when I took a highway exit curve a little bit faster than usual and experienced much more body roll. You can replace the Xreas with any conventional suspension for a lot less. Bilstein 5100 are a popular choice. You can check for TRD Pro take off etc. Good luck.

 

[17Jetta]

Thanks for the response and advice.

Yes, if I wasn’t clear in my original post, I have zero intentions of putting any Xreas suspension back in the truck.

I intend to strip all xreas components and replace. Would like to keep a compliant sporty (little to no body roll) ride that the limited comes with though. Not sure if that’s possible. Have heard the Bilstein 5100’s can be a little stiffer than stock.

Also looking for longevity. Maybe I’m crazy but I think shocks should last a minimum of 75k miles with zero issues.

 

[tm965]

Thanks for the response and advice.

Yes, if I wasn’t clear in my original post, I have zero intentions of putting any Xreas suspension back in the truck.

I intend to strip all xreas components and replace. Would like to keep a compliant sporty (little to no body roll) ride that the limited comes with though. Not sure if that’s possible. Have heard the Bilstein 5100’s can be a little stiffer than stock.

Also looking for longevity. Maybe I’m crazy but I think shocks should last a minimum of 75k miles with zero issues.

5100s are a good inexpensive option. You could also consider 6112s up front and 5160s, 5100s, or fox 2.0s in the rear in conjunction with a new spring set depending on whether or not you want any lift

 

[Bossman]

5th Gen:

5th Gen Limited X-REAS Leak - Options?

2010 Ltd - X-REAS - Replacement Questions

5th gen and XREAS system

Also common on 4th Gen:

Best Replacement Shocks when removing the XREAS? - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Replacing XREAS with regular shocks - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

 

[LandCruiser]

I'd pull it and install your own suspension.

 

[TRDPRORUNNER]

Same here. Failed at approx. 50k


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[17Jetta]

I'd pull it and install your own suspension.

That’s the plan.

Looking for input on options. Not really interested in a lift, just want something that handles as good or better than stock and is reliable.

 

[flatspin]

Mine failed at 60k. I knew it probably would so was expecting it. I haven't replaced it yet (Icon Stage 2 looking at me from their boxes as I type), but the only thing I've noticed is wheel hop until they warm up. Basically like the tire is out of balance, but it goes away after a few miles.

 

[LandCruiser]

That’s the plan.

Looking for input on options. Not really interested in a lift, just want something that handles as good or better than stock and is reliable.

If you don't want a lift Bilstein shocks and some Eibach coils are a good choice.

Since the cost is similar, you might as well get one that can be adjusted to get some lift out of it.

 

[phillyd2]

No brainer. Take the cash, rip them out and replace with at least Bilsteins.

 

[17Jetta]

No brainer. Take the cash, rip them out and replace with at least Bilsteins.

Cash is only in play if spent at the dealership, so that's a no go unless I order something through the parts department maybe.

 

[4Rums]

That’s the plan.

While I didn't do the work there, I was quoted 6 hrs of labor to do the job at the dealer (conventional shocks front/rear + front coils), so if you have the capability to do it yourself, go for it.

 

[phillyd2]

Cash is only in play if spent at the dealership, so that's a no go unless I order something through the parts department maybe.

Ah. Then let them keep the cash and do the rest.

 

[llDemonll]

Bilstein, Dobinson, Eibach. All will be around the same price, probably $1k or so for the full kit plus labor

 

[<<<<]

My X-Reas front struts in 2004 failed (left at 65K and Right at 75K). I replaced both each time of failure at check valves taking in account that I caught it early enough and both didn't leak out much of the fluid. 87K now and no problems what so ever and still have X-Reas. Each strut cost me $ 59 and about 1 hour of DIY work. If you go this route - rent spring compressor at local parts store (free). G.L.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

If it was my truck I'd have the XREAS system replaced at the dealership.
I thought the whole system was like $3500 so the price they gave you is pretty good I think.

Putting in regular shocks is not going to give you the same performance as the XREAS.

This system is one of the reasons I bought the SR5 Premium.

 

[badattitude]

Do people use the original limited coils with new bilstein 5100 shocks? Seems like an easy solution.

 

[17Jetta]

If it was my truck I'd have the XREAS system replaced at the dealership.
I thought the whole system was like $3500 so the price they gave you is pretty good I think.

Putting in regular shocks is not going to give you the same performance as the XREAS.

This system is one of the reasons I bought the SR5 Premium.

I have a terrible surprise for you Rich. Your SR5 Premium is not equipped with an XREAS suspension.

The price isn’t the problem. The problem is that it has failed with 30936 miles on the odometer and barely 3 years old.

Why would I waste my time and money replacing with the same failure prone components?