LC5 Suspension Woes

[freddie_berks]

I seem to have a problem with my rear suspension on my 55 reg 120 series LC5 4.0 petrol with only 43k miles. After a trip to Brecon (no offroading though), it's riding really high (25" wheel arch to wheel centre) and is rock hard. Still goes up or down around 25 mm with the H / N / L settings. Having read around the forums a fault with the rear suspension sensors seems to be common. Are there any simple tests I can do to diagnose before it needs to go to a dealer.

 

[Gary Stockton]

BTDT

One (or both) of your ride height sensors are dirty or busted. You can try opening them up and cleaning them, but this is really a job for Mr T who sorted mine for me.

Be prepared - depending on the fault this may become expensive. Get a quote if no extended warranty then get your parts from Ian Rubie on this forum.

Cheers

 

[freddie_berks]

OK thanks.

Just tried something and it seems to have reset the system back to normal - selected low height, pushed height control "off" and drove off... within a few hundred yards suspension height settled to normal height and softness!

Does this point to an intermittent fault or had I somehow tricked it by doing something stupid in the first place. Could it be related to new tyres being fitted a few days ago and having the car jacked up and suspension "hanging"?

 

[Gary Stockton]

No shouldn't be tyre-fitting related unless the spanner monkey damaged the sensors

Maybe intermittent - winter salted roads are known problem-causers. So probably best to climb under and inspect / clean as best you can.

When this happened to me it was intermittent at first but then terminal

 

[freddie_berks]

Is excessive dust a known problem?

I have a warranty with the car - not Toyota so bit of pot luck. They've already paid out for a starter motor, but wouldn't cover a leak in the air con. It's not on the exclusion list so I may be OK.

Any idea of the cost of parts vs labour / hours. Is this something a competent local garage could undertake?

 

[Gary Stockton]

Haven't heard that dust is a problem - usually it's just corrosion. I think replacing the sensors, if that's the problem, seems to be quite straightforward. But I think Mr T is probably a good start for a proper diagnosis...

Cheers

 

[freddie_berks]

I've ignored this for quite a while as it settled down and only re-appeared every so often, and then setting to low would typically fix the problem. Had Mr T look at the problem last service and one of the rear height sensors is physically broken and that'll be around £450 inc vat to replace the sensor. Is this a viable DIY fix?

Any ideas on to proceed - have been thinking around a lift, but as it's an LC5 with air suspension, seems complex.

 

[Gary Stockton]

Yes Milners sell them for lots less, check them out. Also try Karl / Steff for 2nd hand parts

Cheers