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Front Struts leaking

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by tundradan, Jul 27, 2020.

  1. Jul 27, 2020 at 9:26 PM
    #1
    tundradan

    tundradan [OP] New Member

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    Had the 4Runner in for an alignment today and they told me the "front struts were starting to leak. not bouncing yet".

    It only has 70K miles on it? I have owned many Toyotas with 100K+ miles on them and have never replaced any front suspension parts.

    Is this normal? What do they mean by "not bouncing yet"? How long till replacement and what should I replace them with?

    TIA
     
  2. Jul 27, 2020 at 9:47 PM
    #2
    Antman

    Antman New Member

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    2021 4Runner: King Coilovers King rear shocks Camburg UCA’s Spc rear Trail arms Icon 52700 rear springs Icon panhard bar SCS Ray10’s Rci Sliders Rci Full Skids 2022 Tacoma Offroad: King Coilovers King rear shocks Deaver leaf springs Camburg UCA Scs Gen 5 Bamf front hybrid bumper Rci Full Skids Rci Sliders
    Bilstein 5100’s all around would probably be cheaper than buying stock shocks. However I have 4 shocks I can sell you off my 2020 if you would like.
     
  3. Jul 27, 2020 at 11:19 PM
    #3
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

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    OP has the xreas system I believe, so your shocks wouldn’t work unless OP gets rid of the system.
     
  4. Jul 28, 2020 at 5:18 AM
    #4
    Antman

    Antman New Member

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    2021 4Runner: King Coilovers King rear shocks Camburg UCA’s Spc rear Trail arms Icon 52700 rear springs Icon panhard bar SCS Ray10’s Rci Sliders Rci Full Skids 2022 Tacoma Offroad: King Coilovers King rear shocks Deaver leaf springs Camburg UCA Scs Gen 5 Bamf front hybrid bumper Rci Full Skids Rci Sliders
    that’s what I was implying to get rid of the system lol
     
  5. Jul 28, 2020 at 6:15 AM
    #5
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    Do some research on the 4Runner XREAS suspension, it's a known weak point in these vehicles, but only affects Limited, because that's the only trim they come on. I'd say 70k - 100k is commonly a failure mileage on that system.

    Most people who choose to mod their vehicles pull that junk out and put in a good suspension if they are deviating from stock. If you're sticking stock, you're about to buy a high end suspension simply to repair it if you can't fix easily.

    Leaking but not bouncing means it's dying, but not dead. When the fluid is gone, your ride quality will go to pot because no oil will be there to make the shocks works properly.
     
    nimby likes this.
  6. Jul 28, 2020 at 6:32 AM
    #6
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    I wouldn’t say it’s a weak point, it’s just an expensive fix to repair it with OEM stuff. 70,000 miles is not an unreasonably short life span for a wear item like shock.

    The purpose of the springs is to support the weight of a vehicle, set the ride height, and allow movement of the suspension. The purpose of a shock is to dampen and control spring oscillations. A spring with with no dampener will bounce up and down over and over and over and over after hitting a bump, eventually it’ll dissipate it’s energy and stop bouncing but for ease of explanation, it’ll bounce indefinitely. A damper lets the spring compress or extend and then controls the rebound force to stabilize and even out the load back to its static position so it doesn’t bounce forever.

    The bounce test for a shock is push down on the bumper real hard and watch how the body reacts. If it goes down and up the shock is still doing something, if it bounces 3-4 times before steadying the shock is dead inside.

    It’s in your best interest to just rip the system out and replacing it with normal shocks. It’s purely mechanical with no electrical components or monitoring so removing it is simple but you MUST do all 4 corners at the same time.
     
    nimby, tundradan[OP] and Singleminded like this.
  7. Jul 28, 2020 at 6:36 AM
    #7
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    You're right, I'll qualify that statement a bit better.

    It's a reasonable life span, a known issue of it's occurrence and cost, and compared to the relatively tank-like rest of the vehicle, prone to failure before other items.

    If this was a domestic, 70K is a great long life, but we are spoiled with the 4Runner because 70k is still "newish" to us due to quality of builds.
     
  8. Jul 28, 2020 at 11:43 AM
    #8
    tundradan

    tundradan [OP] New Member

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    I had heard of the XREAS system but didn't pay much attention to it. Now I understand that's what my truck has... Great explanation and perfectly understandable, thank you! I am willing do do as you suggest, replace ALL 4 corners. Any ideas on cost?
     
  9. Jul 28, 2020 at 1:27 PM
    #9
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    You can spend as much or as little as you want. You can find a set of good condition low mile take offs someone removed to upgrade for anywhere from a 6 of beer to a $100 bucks. Or you can go all out with remote reservoir long travel stuff that’ll send you back $5,000. It’s totally up to you what you want to spend, get whoever setup best fits your needs.
     
    tundradan[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  10. Jul 28, 2020 at 11:30 PM
    #10
    tundradan

    tundradan [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the feedback! I put the 5100's on my Chevy Duramax and loved them! I am leaning in that direction.
     
    Agent_Outside likes this.
  11. Apr 27, 2021 at 10:03 AM
    #11
    1stcor29

    1stcor29 New Member

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    I just discovered I have this problem and the Toyota dealership is wanting close to $4k to fix (replacing all 4 shocks/struts). Is that well over being too much? What should I expect?
     
  12. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:16 AM
    #12
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    I'd say $4k is about the right price for an XREAS replacement if I recall.

    If you're going to stick with it being OEM and not swap it to an aftermarket setup, I'd say $3k is about as cheap as it gets for you and up to $4k is not entirely out of line.

    That said, a Stage 3 Ironman 4x4 kit was $1800, and a Fox/King/Icon quality setup is likely around $3500. But you're deviating from stock.
     
  13. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:19 AM
    #13
    1stcor29

    1stcor29 New Member

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    Thanks Fajitas21 - the rub here is the fact I bought it 6 months ago as a certified pre-owned with $84k miles on it. I've only put 2k miles in that 6 months so I'm hoping the dealership will work with me. I presume the OEM is fine if I rarely go off-road, and if I do, it's not extreme?
     
  14. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:23 AM
    #14
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    Whoa whoa, a CPO typically has a warranty, is it still in effect? That's an OEM part and 100% should be covered by warranty work if you have one.

    Also, do not mention you have offroaded the vehicle, but it's also not required information to divulge. I'd say a dirt road, a gravel road, and someone's front yard isn't offroading, btw.

    Now, if you've got an jumped it and beat on it, then let you conscience weight in on whether you pay for the repair or not.
     
  15. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:28 AM
    #15
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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  16. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:41 AM
    #16
    1stcor29

    1stcor29 New Member

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    Yes, and I purchased the platinum warranty (highest one) and a warranty rep came out to look at the vehicle, they indicated it's on the "exclusion list". And this was bought directly from the Toyota dealership. Since I've purchased from this dealership before (4 other cars), they are going to see what they can do for me.
     
  17. Apr 27, 2021 at 12:51 PM
    #17
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    So a Toyota dealer sold you a certified Pre-owned vehicle with a PLATINUM warranty that doesn't cover an OEM part because they were able to weasel out of it likely due to it being a wear part?

    That, right there, would likely......frustrate me. That might win on technicality but I'll rail against XREAS and that dealer for eternity if I knew who they were.

    Two years after purchase, maybe. 6 months, well...that's some garbage timing. I hope you get it sorted.
     
  18. Apr 28, 2021 at 7:38 AM
    #18
    koukimonster

    koukimonster DYNO4

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    I'm not surprised if they won't cover the shocks. They're a "wear item" like a clutch or brakes. That said, since you JUST bought the truck, I'd expect them to make an exception. If they don't, I'd be done with that dealer (and Toyota) forever. I've had things happen before and dealerships ate it, because it was the right thing to do.

    I had a battery die in a BMW right after some CPO warranty work was done on the alternator. It didn't take much push to get them to replace the battery under the assumption that their work *probably* caused failure of the battery. Is it possible that the battery just happened to die at the same time? Sure, it's *possible." But unlikely. So they did the right thing.

    My family purchased a USED Honda Accord with 80,000 miles on it for not a lot of money.. probably like $12,000, about 10 years ago. My mom was trying to learn how to drive it (manual transmission) and it started acting weird. Sure enough, the engine was somehow toast. My mom was so scared that she ruined the car, and so upset about a car that we had just bought turning to a brick practically overnight. What happened, you ask? Without much push at all, the dealer completely replaced the engine.

    Some dealers and brands care about their reputation, and actually have to / will work to keep it highly regarded. The whole POINT of a CPO program is to get people into "like new" vehicles that will give them at least a reasonable amount of trouble-free mileage. If you can't reasonably expect to go 6 months on a CPO vehicle without a major repair bill, then what's the point? Those shocks should be heavily scrutinized during the CPO process, and even if they aren't leaking.. should probably be replaced before CPO sold if they're indeed that prone to failure at 70,000 miles.

    Curious, how many miles did your 4Runner have when you purchased it? 70,000 miles seems like a lot for a CPO program.. I thought they capped out at around 50k?

    Good luck! Cheers.
     
  19. Apr 28, 2021 at 8:24 AM
    #19
    1stcor29

    1stcor29 New Member

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    To answer your question about CPO, the 4Runner had 84k miles on it, and any Toyota with 85k or more, CPO doesn't apply, at least at this dealership. Not sure if that is company-wide or just this dealership. I'm taking it this Friday morning to them to see what they can do for me. I purchased 6 cars from them in total so I'm hoping they really work with me, if they're not going to eat it.
     
  20. Apr 28, 2021 at 9:14 AM
    #20
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

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    Same thing happened to a friend. Got rid of the X-REAS for OME and was very happy. Less than $800 total I think.
    On a separate note I didn't realize that they CPO vehicle with 84k miles. Every CPO I've seen from number of different brand have all been under 50k.
     
  21. Apr 28, 2021 at 11:12 AM
    #21
    koukimonster

    koukimonster DYNO4

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    I personally feel it's dishonest to "CPO" a vehicle with over 70,000 miles on it unless you go ahead and replace all of the "wear items" that are expected to fail around that mileage.. brakes, tires, shocks, and even clutch should be heavily inspected, and if it can't be shown that there is plenty of life left in them, they should be replaced. It's hard to do that with a clutch or shocks, which is why I'm surprised they bother to CPO vehicles with such high miles. Just another way for Toyota to squeeze every dime....

    Again, good luck.
     
  22. Apr 30, 2021 at 9:53 AM
    #22
    1stcor29

    1stcor29 New Member

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    Ok, here's the verdict. Upon taking this to the Toyota dealership that I bought it from, they took a look at it and saw only one leaking; the others were perfectly fine. The SA said the warranty would cover this. The reason why the warranty wouldn't be covered at the other Toyota dealership is because the other dealership indicated all 4 would need to be replaced, and the warranty will not cover the replacement of the other three since there's nothing wrong with them. Needless to say, I will never go back to that other Toyota dealership, despite the fact they're only 3 miles from my house and therefore, more convenient to get oil changes. I'd rather drive 40 minutes to the more honest Toyota dealership. This good dealership will replace the leaking one and I pay nothing. /whew!
     
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  23. Oct 20, 2022 at 3:54 PM
    #23
    Rivedog

    Rivedog New Member

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    So they let you replace just one? Did they mention what 1 to repair would cost? I had an oil change done today and they told me the RF was leaking and all 4 will need to be replaced since it’s a “system” … for $2500.
     
  24. Oct 20, 2022 at 4:06 PM
    #24
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    Minimum you have to change 2 as they are cross linked.

    But for $2500 you can buy a good regular suspension setup but so far I haven't experienced anything good as XREAS on road. Not even adjustable $4000 suspension after market. All these after market suspension seems to have designed for offroadability vs on road comfort.

    Just sharing my experience, not advice.
     
  25. Nov 15, 2022 at 1:21 PM
    #25
    RockinRobin

    RockinRobin New Member

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    I too have bad struts on my 2013 Limited and want to change to Aftermkt - So this Ironman $1800 kit is all I would need? Robin
     
  26. Nov 16, 2022 at 11:13 AM
    #26
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    So 18 months have gone by since my comment and unsurprisingly the costs of suspensions have gone up. I imagine replacing XREAS is likely over $5,000 now, and unfortunately, the Ironman suspension is more like $2,500 - $3,000 now.

    I'd still support not going back with XREAS, however.

    Also, look into Dobinson kits- they ride really nice, are still twin tube so comfort over extreme performance, and are currently on Black Friday sale possibly.

    Dobinsons Link:
    https://exitoffroad.com/product-category/toyota/4runner/4runner-5th-gen/full-kits-5th-gen-4runner/

    Would I still consider the Ironmans? Yea - plan to put some on my Land Cruiser, and still run them daily on my 4Runner.

    Ironman Link:
    https://ironman4x4america.com/4runner/
     
  27. Nov 22, 2022 at 8:27 AM
    #27
    RockinRobin

    RockinRobin New Member

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    THE IRONMANS ARE -25% OFF ON BLACK FRIDAY :yes: I WAS LOOKING AT +3" FRONT AND +2" REAR
    I WAS UNDER MY 4R THIS WEEKEND AND SEEN THE FACTORY SKIDPLATE WAS RUSTED THRU IN A FEW PLACES - MIGHT HAVE TO LOOK INTO A NEWER ONE AS WELL.
     

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