XREAS Mistake... Information/Advice?

[JazzTrmpter]

Hey guys, let me start out by saying...:happens:

I'm in the process of installing a Toytec leveling kit (3"F/2"R) and I'm pretty sure I screwed my XREAS system up. I've done some research that I will compile here for future reference, and I'll most likely be taking a trip to the dealer next week if I notice anything strange so I can add that experience here too.

Having known little about XREAS prior to starting the installation process, I shouldn't have jumped into it with such confidence/carelessness as I did. Hindsight 20/20.

To make a long story short, the hydraulic line that is connected to the bottom of the shock was slightly unscrewed, but enough to release the pressure in the line and shoot hydraulic fluid everywhere. Apparently there are two separate hydraulic systems: the front passenger side is linked to the rear driver side, and the front driver side is linked to the rear passenger side. I had only raised the front off the ground and I was working on the front driver's side.

After realized I probably ruined the system by releasing a little bit of pressure, I did some research and found that there is a disconnect valve. I then removed the coilover assembly with the hose still attached to the bottom of the shock and hydraulic oil was steadily dripping out of the hose. I probably lost around 6-8oz of hydraulic fluid just on that one line/shock. But anyways, it's connected back to the system now, valve re-opened, no leaks.

Here's some things I found from this and other forums about XREAS (could possibly be untrue):
- XREAS cannot be bled/refilled. The components are installed pre-filled, hence the valves at each disconnect location.
- A fellow T4R user says here that removing the hydraulic line from the shock is a sure way of destroying that shock. He/she also mentions that XREAS is a completely closed system.
- This is the proper way to remove any XREAS components
- Apparently XREAS has great benefits for on-road use like better cornering and easier handling. XREAS reportedly doesn't do much for off-road travel.


If anyone's had experience or has been in my shoes and would like to propose ideas, make suggestions, or maybe some reassurance, I'd appreciate it. I'll post up what the dealer says when I pick their brains about what can and cannot be done with XREAS repair.


Sources:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html - comprehensive/Suspension 101
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/44011-05-4runner-suspension-bleeding.html
Removing XREAS? - YotaTech Forums
Removing XREAS shocks - YotaTech Forums
XREAS damaged ?? - YotaTech Forums

 

[DC runner]

Yea. You busted it. I have a sport, with the XREAS and mine is 100% functioning and it adds a ton of on road control. It adds that by limiting noise dive and body sway that you usually get with large on frame vehicles like SUV's and Trucks. Take a corner too tight and the whole body rolls and can make the car lose its balance, literally, as the center of gravity shifts.


This only comes into play when you corner at a fast speed and steep angle. If your going faster than 60 and taking fast corners off road, then you are not OFF ROAD or looking to destroy your car.

So, yes. The system as little value off road. Since you destroyed yours, you can remove the shocks and replace them with ones more suited to off road use.

A dealer is going to charge you a TON of money to fix it.

 

[Gatafly]

Yep, should have searched here first. So much info here you could have your doctorates in XREASology. As DC said your system is toast and should be replaced immediately. Bilstein 5100's are fantastic, but if you do a ton of off-roading may want to research and find something better suited for that.

 

[Ventil8]

A dealer is going to charge you a TON of money to fix it.[/QUOTE]

Yes, about $2500 is what I was quoted at the dealer. I asked the service rep when I was getting an oil change what the damage would be to fix the XREAS not if BUT when the system fails. I personally like the ride of XREAS and will fix it when it does fail.

 

[WillK]

It's kind of funny (timing wise) that you would post this because I've been researching options for a leveling kit for my vehicle...

Yes, you ruined your system, but not your vehicle. What was your intent by putting on your Toytec leveling kit: off-road purpose, appearance...?

If you wanted the kit for off-road, you'd be better off getting rid of the Xreas and going with Billsteins or another quality parts.

If it was for appearance (which is what mine will be), then you can still get Billsteins adjustable to give you some lift, so all hope isn't lost.

NOTE: There are other quality shocks//struts out there, I just mention Billsteins because they are the ones I was looking into.

But this is where I have run into a bump in my research, I don't know if any aftermarket shocks will give the vehicle the same ON-ROAD ride as the Xreas will, which is why I'd rather keep mine (Xreas), but that's for another thread.

 

[zopperman]

It's kind of funny (timing wise) that you would post this because I've been researching options for a leveling kit for my vehicle...

Yes, you ruined your system, but not your vehicle. What was your intent by putting on your Toytec leveling kit: off-road purpose, appearance...?

If you wanted the kit for off-road, you'd be better off getting rid of the Xreas and going with Billsteins or another quality parts.

If it was for appearance (which is what mine will be), then you can still get Billsteins adjustable to give you some lift, so all hope isn't lost.

NOTE: There are other quality shocks//struts out there, I just mention Billsteins because they are the ones I was looking into.

But this is where I have run into a bump in my research, I don't know if any aftermarket shocks will give the vehicle the same ON-ROAD ride as the Xreas will, which is why I'd rather keep mine (Xreas), but that's for another thread.

mine on road ride with xreas is crap. metaltech is having a sale on icon stuff :becky:

 

[WillK]

mine on road ride with xreas is crap. metaltech is having a sale on icon stuff :becky:

Really??? See, I love how mine handles on road with the Xreas. And I come to this conclusion based on comparisons to my wife's 08 (SR5) and other Runners I test drove.
How many miles//age of your Xreas?

 

[zopperman]

Really??? See, I love how mine handles on road with the Xreas. And I come to this conclusion based on comparisons to my wife's 08 (SR5) and other Runners I test drove.
How many miles//age of your Xreas?

i replaced it like a dumbass - 20k on the new set :brick:
Long story but my dad paid for it and it was poor timing I had to get back to school the same day blah blah blah I'll have coilovers soon enough

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Really??? See, I love how mine handles on road with the Xreas. And I come to this conclusion based on comparisons to my wife's 08 (SR5) and other Runners I test drove.
How many miles//age of your Xreas?

My Xreas is super smooth on the road. Love it!

 

[DC runner]

I am addicted to my xreas and hate driving my buddies xterra. Too much body roll. I love how aggressive it lets me drive. It isn't just about the ride on bumps..I am sure you can buy smoother. Its about how she handles the twists and turns...xreas lets you drive much harder and gives you constant control. My runner is rock solid stabke.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

...
- XREAS cannot be bled/refilled. The components are installed pre-filled, hence the valves at each disconnect location.
- A fellow T4R user says here that removing the hydraulic line from the shock is a sure way of destroying that shock. He/she also mentions that XREAS is a completely closed system.
- This is the proper way to remove any XREAS components
- Apparently XREAS has great benefits for on-road use like better cornering and easier handling. XREAS reportedly doesn't do much for off-road travel.

...

These statements are true, the system is no longer properly sealed and has lost pressure in one half, it is expensive to repair by itself and there are plenty of good options that ride close to, and/or better than stock XREAS depending on the money you want to spend for various road conditions.

I am addicted to my xreas and hate driving my buddies xterra. Too much body roll. I love how aggressive it lets me drive. It isn't just about the ride on bumps..I am sure you can buy smoother. Its about how she handles the twists and turns...xreas lets you drive much harder and gives you constant control. My runner is rock solid stabke.

I loved XREAS on-road it really made the SE handle like a smaller vehicle than it was. I quickly found its limitations when off-roading and went with a Overland Warehouse 2.5" Suspension kit, honestly I have a bit more body roll (more than likely due to the front bumper, higher center of gravity, ect) but the stiffer springs and tuned shocks for the 4th gen really make it ride a little better than the original XREAS and it handles off-road so much better than before.

 

[JazzTrmpter]

It's kind of funny (timing wise) that you would post this because I've been researching options for a leveling kit for my vehicle...

Yes, you ruined your system, but not your vehicle. What was your intent by putting on your Toytec leveling kit: off-road purpose, appearance...?

If you wanted the kit for off-road, you'd be better off getting rid of the Xreas and going with Billsteins or another quality parts.

My main intent was for appearance and to get ride of the rake. My 4Runner is a 2WD V8, so I didn't want to put the money into off-roading equipment and end up with a relatively inefficient off-roading vehicle. But now it seems I'll have to replace them with some aftermarket shocks anyways!

Yep, should have searched here first. So much info here you could have your doctorates in XREASology. As DC said your system is toast and should be replaced immediately. Bilstein 5100's are fantastic, but if you do a ton of off-roading may want to research and find something better suited for that.

Should've, could've, would've. :/ I don't do very much offroading at all. In fact I rarely even drive my 4runner. I've only put 30k miles on it in 4 years that I've owned it. Will there be any further damage done to the system if I drive without replacing (or having the dealer repair) the shocks?

A dealer is going to charge you a TON of money to fix it.

Yes, about $2500 is what I was quoted at the dealer. I asked the service rep when I was getting an oil change what the damage would be to fix the XREAS not if BUT when the system fails. I personally like the ride of XREAS and will fix it when it does fail.

I just ended a phone call with a tech at the local Toyota dealer. He didn't give me a quote, but he said he'll give me a discount. To me, that means he is definitely going to charge a LOT. In his eyes, he must have just hit the jackpot for a service call.

I think I might just buy some adjustable aftermarket shocks and not even have the dealer look at it. They'll probably want several hundred just for an inspection.

 

[JazzTrmpter]

These statements are true, the system is no longer properly sealed and has lost pressure in one half, it is expensive to repair by itself and there are plenty of good options that ride close to, and/or better than stock XREAS depending on the money you want to spend for various road conditions.



I loved XREAS on-road it really made the SE handle like a smaller vehicle than it was. I quickly found its limitations when off-roading and went with a Overland Warehouse 2.5" Suspension kit, honestly I have a bit more body roll (more than likely due to the front bumper, higher center of gravity, ect) but the stiffer springs and tuned shocks for the 4th gen really make it ride a little better than the original XREAS and it handles off-road so much better than before.

I think I'm more interested in a smooth well handling on-road application. I'd rather not focus on dumping money into an off-road suspension system for a vehicle I don't feel confident in taking on crazy off-road situations. And I only say that because it is not a 4WD vehicle and I have gotten stuck a couple times in some very soft, un-packed dirt on a slope. (Wouldn't anyone get stuck there? lol) I suppose it did handle off-road surprisingly well for being 2WD...

But most of my driving is street. I want the lifted look more than the off-road
performance. Do you have any suggestions on specific full-suspension systems to fit my "needs"?

 

[JazzTrmpter]

Any ramifications on just swapping out the front shocks with some aftermarket ones, and using the shims I already purchased to lift up the rear, keeping the stock system in the rear? The most obvious would be total rear XREAS failure since the front-opposite sided XREAS counterparts would be non-existent.

 

[Staceman]

Fixed my X-REAS for less than $400. Adjustable height on the front. Ride has improved 100%. Not kidding..

Finally got to scrap my X-REAS! - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

 

[JazzTrmpter]

Fixed my X-REAS for less than $400. Adjustable height on the front. Ride has improved 100%. Not kidding..

Finally got to scrap my X-REAS! - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Thanks for the link! I was very surprised on the price. I was expecting to dump $1500 into fixing my mistakes...

And if anybody has input on this, that'd be great. I am new to suspension if you couldn't tell already :boom:
Since I already have the ToyTec 3"/2" lift spacer kit do you guys think I could put them on the adjustable Bilstein 5100's? I'd leave the shocks set to the 0" setting of course and net a 3" lift in the front with the spacers installed. The Bilstein's can only do 2.5" in the front by themselves and I just really want the 3". In doing that, it would also leave the possibility to adjust the Bilstein to the 2.5" setting and net a 5.5" lift (assuming no complications with the brake lines or anything of the like), right?

 

[Staceman]

I am assuming the ToyTec 3/2 is 3 inches lift up front, 2" in the rear?? With the fronts set to the lowest setting, there should be no issue using your spacers. Get an alignment when you are done.. ;-)

 

[chaz]

since earlier today you asked about replacing just the front shocks I suggest you read up more on the xreas system & suspension options, heres a start http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/toyota-4runner-xreas-suspension-replacement-diy-instructions.pdf

 

[JazzTrmpter]

I am assuming the ToyTec 3/2 is 3 inches lift up front, 2" in the rear?? With the fronts set to the lowest setting, there should be no issue using your spacers. Get an alignment when you are done.. ;-)

Yes, 3 inches in the front and 2 in the rear is correct. Definitely planning on the alignment.. thanks!

 

[JazzTrmpter]

since earlier today you asked about replacing just the front shocks I suggest you read up more on the xreas system & suspension options, heres a start http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/toyota-4runner-xreas-suspension-replacement-diy-instructions.pdf

Yeah, shortly after posting I realized that is not an option since each rear shock is linked to the front. The first link you posted was my initial resource in this project, but I haven't searched it for information about XREAS. I'll check it out.