2003 120 Prado air Supension problem

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Nice clear pics Dazz, well done! and good to see the US airbagit airbags now have the quick connects

[Dazz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dazz]

Heres the other issues I had;
this is the water trap and compressor after removing from the vehicle;

here are the hydrogels I found within the water trap.

here are the bits within the water trap- as you can see there are water damaged bits rusted.
Please note the vehicle has never been underwater- or through river crossings- this is simply from age/ and I'm guessing deterioration of the hydrogel thingies..

some more;

and then.... if you've read all my other posts- I finally got the system working by Blowing air from my workshop compressor though the "rubber" air line as per this image:

[ywork Member Find all posts View Profile Close ywork]

Thanks Dazz,
Thanks lots of very helpfull infomation ,appreciate all the photos as well.
Cheers,
Wayne

[ywork Member Find all posts View Profile Close ywork]

Decided to take out the rear airbags. Well it was not all that difficult to get them out. But man I’m not keen on trying to get that side pin back on the new ones.
Both my airbags were perished and leaking air so no wonder the backend felt so bad.Im replacing them with the originals from Toyota, as I still have the STD shocks and they were $408 each, so not too bad considering its Toyota.
How did you reinstall the side clip with the new bags inplace.There is not much room to get your hand in place to slide the pin into position?

[Guest Close Guest]

If you are replacing both, then you are better off with the Airbagman airbags.

As for inserting the pin, you've just got to get your hands in there and slide it in. Might have to straighten the pin out first and do it when the exhaust is cold.

[Dazz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dazz]

ywork;
\ I used a pair of Long, long nose pliars with a bend on the end.- You work from the wheel arch side.
Heres the trick:
1/ place airbags into position.
2/ I then use a towel to push under the airbag. this lifts the airbag and holds it up high enough to get the "slotted dimple" to protude through the hole in the chassi. (If it's not enough just keep folding and working the towel under the airbag and on top of the axle- the towel allows this height adjustment.
3/ Once the airbag is firmly pushed up then working from the wheel arch side- I place the flat slide clip into the jaws of the long long nose pliars.
4/ then I simply slide the flat retaining plate towards the "slotted dimple" to retain the airbag.
Keep trying you will get it- I used a torch to see clearly the alignment. the towel holds the airbag in position and then you just minipulate the slide retainer into the dimple.

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

Great tip Daz and very well explained. It's not an easy task and requires patience and time to get it. After having to replace that top retainer on the driver's side bag once I decided that if I ever needed to replace the passenger retainer then it was time for new, longer airbags.

[timmy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmy]

I ordered 2 new Genuine Toyota airbags from Amayama for $420.00 toatal price, delivered. Took 6 days to arrive. Local Toyota wanted $440 each and another 250 to install.

Just trying to find someone to put them in. The 1st suspension shop didn't want to touch it when he found the air hose clips need a special tool. ARB are now having a look at it for me.

You would think it wouldn't be that much of a problem to just get a bloody hose off. I might have to go buy them a pair of tweezers.

[Guest Close Guest]

I have the special tool if you need it.

[timmy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmy]

Thanks amts, I'll see what ARB say first. Much appreciated.

[Guest Close Guest]

Special tool is recommended if you don't want to damage the tube, O-ring and the compressor outlets.

[timmy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmy]

Cheers mate, I'll let ARB know I can get one from you if they have a problem.

Funny thing is the Toyota dealer quoted parts and install $1200.

Was going to book it in, but I went online and found I could purchase the genuine bags for half the price. When a local suspension specialist declined the job due to the connector clips. I called Toyota and asked if they could fit them. They first asked if they were genuine parts. When I said yes, they said that they had rarely, or never done them before, they didn't want to do it, and recommended ARB.

All this was over the phone, so I don't think Toyota even realized I was the same person. One minute they are happy to do the work. Then they blatantly lie to you if they cant milk you for an extra $500 in parts. Confirmation why I never have my car serviced there unless absolutely necessary.

Its a good thing it's such a popular vehicle, and there are resources like Pradopoint and people like yourself here that give us such invaluable information.

[Guest Close Guest]

I would DIY. it's not hard at all. Save the money for other mods.

[timmy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmy]

Funny you should say that. All the experts seem a bit fidgety. One because he doesn't have a simple tool. One because they don't want the job. And the other who wasn't sure if he could do it and has yet to get back to me.

If ARB chucks a fit, I will have a go myself. I just hate sliding around under cars. Changing the oil and filter is about the scope of my competence.

[salmankabani Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close salmankabani]

Dear Members,

I have Prado 2008 v6 GCC version and today I noticed some noise coming out from rear suspension. I observed that the drive of my car turned bumpy so I checked the height which was lower than usual and in the control it was showing as "N". I then increased the height to "Hi", and then it worked well...after sometime the control stopped functioning and the noise coming continuously as something is leaking. I want your expert advice on what could be the issue. Is it suitable to drive to take the car to workshop? Thank you


This happened recently and somebody told me that this is air suspension is leaked and compressor is functioning but today the controls are not working which earlier it used to work though air was leaking.