LS460 - Air Suspension Options

[drnick]

Just took my 07 LS460 for a service at Lexus and they told me three out of four air shockers are leaking (one was replaced when I purchased). Reviewing the Lexus parts and labour pricing I almost fell off my chair, $3.3K for one front right and $5.5K for both rears.

Are there any other options, apart from the Lexus pricing, as I would prefer to keep the air ride?

Thanks

[cedub]

Lexus brisbane quoted me $8K for 2 fronts. I find the "klonk" is minimised in "sport" mode.

Would love to hear if anyone has a reasonable solution too.....

[drnick]

I've only owned my LS for a year, but always thought there was too much rebound in the ride when set to comfort or normal, hence use sport most of the time, but the ride isn't as compliant as I would have imagined for a large luxo barge. Guess I've got nothing to compare with, so hard to know what should be normal and if leaks are impacting ride?

[cedub]

My LS460 owned for 6 years, after a LS430 for 5 years. Haven’t noticed a suspension rebound problem in any of the  settings. Just a rattle/klonk from the LH front. Had bushings replaced, but no real improvement. 

[drnick]

Found an option here, anyone used the Arnott air struts?

https://www.arnottindustries.com/products/lexus-air-suspension/ls-toyota-celsior/ls-460-usf40-short-wheelbase-rear-wheel-drive/2007

[drnick]

Forget this option, it's only passive, not active like the original equipment.

 

 

[biscuit]

If you want Toyota genuine have you tried Amayama https://www.amayama.com/en, eg Aus eBay part number rear 4809050410 is $1619.61, goes up and down with AUD, so you're ahead of the dealer! Not sure if your dealer quote included fitting.

If you don't want genuine there are these on eBay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rear-Air-Suspension-Spring-Strut-Fit-For-Lexus-LS460-LS460L-2006-2017-4809050410/153680305635?fits=Make%3ALexus&hash=item23c80f5de3:g:fLcAAOSwNlldntmT AUD1240 for two rears, fronts are AUD687 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Front-Left-Air-Suspension-Strut-Fit-For-Lexus-LS460-06-17-4802050270-4802050341/153827709369?fits=Make%3ALexus&hash=item23d0d891b9:g:feoAAOSwnmBdnuQZ 

[drnick]

Thanks Biscuit, that's awesome.

Do you know if there's any software configuration required, or is it just a hardware replacement?

[biscuit]

Sorry drnick, I have an IS F so know nothing about the LS. A frequent poster on ISF thread Babalouie put me onto the Amayama site. And I've bought Brembo OEM rotors on US eBay many times cheaper that Lexus dealers quoted. Maybe the US Lexus forums have threads about software? eg this thread talks about the warning light if you scroll down, and some talk about Chinese replacements and converting to traditional shocks/springs which requires mounting hardware. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-4th-gen-2007-2017/858161-should-i-replace-or-convert-my-2010-ls460-sport-4pcs-rear-and-front-air-suspension.html

Rockauto.com is another US based parts supplier, it has the Arnott replacement listed https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7535980&cc=1434552&jsn=10412  but they are $948 each so you're still up for nearly $4K before fitting, the descrption though seems to suggest they're active?

'This new assembly replaces the O.E. strut and features a new, not remanufactured, custom-tuned shock absorber. The Arnott strut features a new heavy duty air bladder from ContiTech which is protected by an aluminum can along with a CNC-machined top mount and sealing cap made from aircraft-quality aluminum. This new air strut is assembled in the USA with Arnott's long-lasting seals, O-rings, bump stop, heavy-duty crimping rings, new air fitting and a dust boot to protect the shock.'

and also has a fitting video

Good luck they're a very nice comfortable car, I looked at one before going down the IS F path.

[drnick]

After reading through many forums, the advice seems to be take the car to Lexus or a specialist that's Lexus trained, if you have an air ride issue. Now in Victoria, I'm yet to find anyone that claims to be a Lexus specialists. I guess this is one of the downsides of owning an LS, as there are more BMW/Mercedes specialists than I can poke a stick at. Anyway, I've confirmed that the ride hight needs to be set after replacing OE air struts

"One of the more difficult tasks on the LS460’s air suspension is adjusting the ride height after installing parts. Trying to adjust the linkages will not work. The only way to adjust the height is by using a scan tool and inputting the ride height measurements."

[BradLS460]

over paying big bucks for air chocks... going coil overs from Titan $1800 for all 4 and they are adjustable