Shock Absorber issues at 37000km

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

Has anyone else had issues with dampness appearing in their 150 Prado shock absorbers? I had my 40k service (with just under 37k on clock) last week and they told me 2 opposite shockys (1 front, opp rear) need replacing as they are weeping. Damned if I can see where these leaks are. I suggested that they must be faulty because they should last longer than that. I got a "well, they could have been fitted wrong and it might have pinched the seal". As it was closing time and the mechanic had gone home I was unable to get them to show me this dampness as it was described. They have ordered replacement shocks, but I've had no answer on my question of whether they would replace them under warranty. Any suggestions?

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

Fluffy,
I just had my 40k service done (at 48k) following a 5 month trip pulling a 2 tone camper trailer.
I asked them to check out the shockers as I had done a lot of dirving on heavily corrugated roads and tought I should get it checked.
They charged me to run the test (around $90 I think) and advised me that indeed one of the rear shockers was performing to specification and they would order and replace both rear shockers under warranty. Job was done a week later at no cost.
No mention of any leaks etc - but happiky they were replaced under warranty at no cost.
Rgds
ML

[barryswanson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barryswanson]

Toyota may be different but on a Falcon I had they replaced a leaky shock but only that shock. I assumed they would replace them as a pair but they didn't.

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

get rid of them.!!....replace them with some after market shocks from a reputable brand and you will be in front and it your Prado will ride and handle better than new.

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

Thanks Guys,
When I can afford some new shockies I will be getting some aftermarket ones for sure. Had a call from Toyota on Friday and they said that they are replacing the mudflaps and the shockies under warranty, so that's a load off my debit card. Should see me through for a while longer as my next trip will be across the Nullabor and down to my brother's farm on the Yorke Peninsula in February. Hoping to find some fellow 4wders along the road to do a couple of tracks off the main stretch in safety.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Hi folks,

We have almost done 50,000km (still with genuine suspension) and with no really, really rough offroad work... just towing boat, (alum runabout) camper trailer (less than 500kg), box trailer and several trips to the beach .... Fraser Isl etc, and we baby our Prado, and really treat her well...and now that you have been discussing shockies, I went and checked mine... and its certainly "nose" diving somewhat under normal braking, and swaying more noticably on corners, and it will rock a couple of times if you give it a shove while its stationary. No leaks on the shockies evident, but the suspension certainly much, much softer, and it bounces a couple of times if you jump on the side step....so I am certain the shockies are worn (not even a year old and under 50,000kms)....So we will get it checked out officially next week, and will post the outcome ...but in the mean time.....and hopefully not off topic as I know there are posts about springs and shockies, but I think this circumstance is a little different as we are not seeking a suspension lift, or not wanting heavy duty suspension or airbags etc ....has anyone had any experience with replacing just the genuine shockies with a reasonable aftermarket brand?...(ie this is not a suspension "lift" situation and we are not replacing the springs)...just shockies only...we still hope to preserve a good highway ride (ie not too stiff in the suspension).. but clearly a more durable shock absorber..Fluffy, do you know what aftermarket shockie will you be sourcing?

150 GXL Diesel Auto
Wynnum Tow bar, no Bull Bar, and love my prado!

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

Hey brogers,
The shockies issue was apparently a factory fitting issue where part of the seal was squashed. They can't tell who has the problem but will fix it under warranty. I had one front and one rear one done. Have done 50,000km now and the shocks are all fine, no nose diving etc so it might be worth your time to get them checked out for this problem. As far as replacing them, I read the shock comparo in one of the 4WD action magazines (issue 165) and it really depends on what you use the vehicle for and how hard or soft a ride you want. The bilsteins (expensive), tough dog and Terrain tamer did well in the tests but others like Old Man Emu (bit stiffer) are just as good. Sometimes too many choices is more confusing than when we just had 2 or 3 choices of things.. oh well. Hope you find something suitable.

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

I am in a similar position, restricted to height or the Prado has to live outside. I have also found that the front springs have sagged due to not replacing them when new after fitting a steel bar and dual batteries and the front has seemed to have gotten markedly softer since new. I have been looking around reading both the 4wd action compare and the info contained herein and am starting to lean towards replacing both springs and shocks. The tough dog package is attractive as I dont need a spring compressor to fit, however I have been seriously looking at a Bilstein package, I have also had previous good experience with OME packages.
I guess you need to weigh up what you want o spend if you are happy to only replace the shocks (bearing in mind, you need to dismantle the front struts either way) the mechanics at the coal mine I worked in QLD swore by the original Tochico (apologies for the spelling) shocks, or you can go higher end rebuildable and try Bilstein or Koni type shocks.
I still haven't decided what i am going to do, but need to move fast to stop uneven tyre wear.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

I have done 50000km on the current Prado with original shocks and they have held up ok, but have not done any towing or any driving on corrugations, well nothing of any significance.

I am about to pick up a new GXL Prado next week and I will be fitting Bilsteins and possibly dobinson springs to that one, its the car I am preparing to tow a van with. Its going to be pulling a van around and be going on a few more serious trips. I have had both Koni and Bilsteins before and found that Bilsteins last for 100000Km + and that the equivalent Koni only lasted around 80000km. There maybe be better Koni out there now, but its Bilsteins for me. I expect I will be spending just under $2000 for the spring shocks package including fitting and wheel alignment.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

My brother in law has done over 300,000kms in his 120 prado (2008 model petrol). Original shocks and springs are still ok.
He is a salesman type, and does 99% of his driving on long distance rural nsw and qld.

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

My rubbish Toyota suspension last approx 33,000 km in my 120 before a blew a front shock off road. With the new 150, 1200 km and the Tough Dogs gear went in and it's great !

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Davros, wholy shit he does some klms ?? But back to the subject, mate if he has done 300 thou on the original shocks Ill bet my you no what those shockies are screwed and you would be suprised how much it must be sagging (springs) compared to when it would have been new..........Even just driving around town and not off road or rutted stuff the shockies would well and truly be worn. My prado has never been off road, just clicked over 100 thou (other 2 prados copped a flogging this one I havnt had the extra $$ to fit up OME yet) but I can feel they are soft and not as firm as my mates 120 with half the klms mines done. If he decided to replace them he would notice a massive difference on brakes and handling especially say around bends. 300 thou is a huge amount of klms and especially in a heavy weighted vehicle..........(again no offence meant)....Cheers Steve

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

50,000km in the first 8 months of my 150's life killed them. Using OME now and loving it, my stock suspension had sagged 2 inches

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Hi there wooley, that 2 inches extra makes a big difference !!!!..........Cheers Steve

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

300 thou is a huge amount of klms and especially in a heavy weighted vehicle..........(again no offence meant)....Cheers Steve

It is a 120 he drives Steve, not a fat boys 90.

Yes, 300k is a lot, but he drives nearly every day, and covers the miles. He isn't really my BIL, but he is my BIL's BIL. He comes to family Christmas, so I call him my BIL. The guy makes the most money of any salesman I have ever met. He puts it down to the leg work he does. Sells hydraulic and associated control gear. I would have thought you could do that sort of stuff over the phone.

Shocks.... they aren't flogged out. They are fine for what he does in the vehicle.
Go figure???