LX470 - Suspension Baseline

I'm a huge fan of the AHC (Active Height Control) system the LX470. The AHC adjusts the vehicle height in accordance with driving conditions. I believe this to be a good balance to fulfill on road and off-road capabilities. On road the suspension adapts to the terrain and the driver can control the dampening from in the car to suit his or her needs. Off-road the Height Hi lets you tackle terrain that requires that little bit of clearance if needed. 

On a 21 year old system that has not been serviced it was definitely not functioning as I remembered it from my youth. Definitely not as comfortable, seems like the dampening is lacking. On checking the gradation at the AHC reservoir I was getting about 7 gradation which is on the lower end of the scale for it. Good gradation is in the double digit range. The globes can be the issue here but before I have to shell out for new globes I wanted to see if a fluid flush and torsion bar adjustment would help the system at all.   

AHC fluid like any other fluids breaks down over time and well it doesn't work as well as they were intended. Torsion bars like everything else gets weak so that affects the pressures in the system. Same for the rear springs. My plan to refresh the suspensions is the cheapest method first. Which means AHC fluid change and crank up the torsion arms to even out the pressures to get it as close to factory as possible. So did that.. the steps are very well documented so I'm not going to do that here. 

The fluid as expected was filthy. 

Just make sure the tire pressures are even because this can affect the pressure. Also do this on even ground for the same aforementioned reason. 

I marked the center of the hub and with a level verified the height after cranking up the torsion bar to get both sides level. 

With fresh fluids and the pressure closer to factory spec the ride is definitely better. Ideally front should be around 6.7MPa and the rear below 6MPa. Highway bumps etc. it absorbs rather well. The cracks and small pot holes however still sends a shiver. I'm going to ride around like this for a bit and then check on maybe getting new rear springs and then if needed globes. 

-AJ Abraham

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LX470 - Air Filter Change

Set out to change the cabin filter and that snow balled into taking the blower motor out to clean, clean whatever I could and run some frigi fresh through the system to kill bacteria/odor. Should've taken 15 to 20 min but wow.. The dust in the blower fan was almost baked on, had to soak it in apc and use a ton of qtips to scrub each fin. Where the filter sits there was dust and small particles and a layer of dust on the evaporator. Used a small nylon brush to loosen all the dust and particles off the evaporator and then vacuumed everything up. Wiped off the inner panels with a rag and isopropyl alcohol. Sprayed a little frigi fresh on the evaporator and then followed directions on the can to run through the rest of the air conditioning system. New filter put in and 4 hours later I was done...sigh.. air smells good though..

-AJ Abraham

Follow me on Instagram:

@flawless_fitment
@aj_ls460

@aj_lx470 

@aj_sc430

K-Break LS460

New Project - 2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG

2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG

Introducing the latest Flawless Fitment project, a 2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG.  Bought the car already sporting the 3M Lemon Sting wrap and lowered on Airlift 3P air ride kit.  First mod was the Roar Pedal to reduce the throttle lag and a new K&N Filter.  Going through the regular maintenance services right now, but more to come in the future.  Stay tune...