Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 12:30 am, by: Callum Morris(Cm02)
hi all i've had my ACTIVE soarer for a while but never bothered joining because i haven't had a problem until now...
the rear right-hand side suspension is sagging down very low when the car is parked. sometimes it takes 3-5 hours to sag after last being driven or sometimes it will last up to around 12 hours before sagging.
when i drive the car after it sags the suspension is very bouncy and it is almost unbearable but the suspension pumps itself back up to normal height after about 500m.
there is no fluid leaking from the strut so i'm thinking a valve is broken and the fluid is going back into the system?
if so, is this easily fixed?
thanks all for any help
Peter Taplin Tinkerer Vic UZZ32 V8 Supercharged & UZZ32 V8 NA
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 02:16 pm, by: Peter Taplin(Mrfourwd)
Hi Callum
The issue you have is related to the inner seal on the upper section of the strut. This problem is very easy to verify and should be checked by locking off the suspension at the small hydraulic line on the side of the strut using a fuel line clamp.drop the vehicle onto the ground and get the car to ride height, then turn the engine off and let it sit, if the car now retains its ride height then the seal is at fault.. (the car will drop a little as the system pressurises the outside section of the shock) The only other cause for a drop in height when left standing is the valve body, but this is not as common and usually is a very slow bleed down over weeks or months not hours. This can be tested by locking off the upper section of the strut using the factory lock off valve, screw this all the way in then follow the same procedure as above So to sum up an upper strut o'haul and probably a new set of accumulators and the car should be great to drive again. components are available here http://www.soarerparts.com should you require any changeover components.
Friday, February 20, 2009 - 08:01 am, by: Peter Taplin(Mrfourwd)
The cost to o'haul the upper section of the strut is approx' 350.00 worth of Toyota parts from Castle Hill Toyota. This will do both rear struts, you also need to budget for re-chroming the shafts if they are scored. (220.00 per shaft)
The Lower part of the strut is the accumulator (spring) this will also probably require replacing with rebuilt units, Peter Scott has a tutorial on Planet Soarer for testing the gas level (Pressure and quantity) in the accumulators on his site
Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 10:35 pm, by: Peter Taplin(Mrfourwd)
No you buy singles but I would reccomend doing all 4 ... you will not know if the shafts are scored until you have pulled the car apart ... if cost is an issue you should probably think about selling the car, the average cost to o'haul the suspension is approx $3500.00 to $5000.00 and it will all need doing.