LC150 new owner - advice on suspension

[leeloo]

Hello . Recently bought a 2013 LC 150, the top trim, ( KDSS, air ride in the back, rear lockable diff, all of it ) with the 1kd 3.0 190hp engine.
It is at 185 k km, pretty good recent service history.
The car was well kept, good interior and exterior( a bit more wear on the driver seat).
It is now in the shop for the right front bearing. ( I failed the technical inspection because of it, I did not hear a thing from inside.. )
At the last major service, done at a Toyota, the previous owner was advised to replace the OEM electronically controlled shocks ( they said they were problematic, some get stuck in either sport or comfort ) with some KYB normal shocks.
The ride is very stiff, specially in the back. Some years ago I used to own an 120, I know the ride is stiffer in the LC 150, but this well beyond that, it reminds of a small CHR with 19 inch wheels I had - that bad.. ...
I would like to replace them , I am even willing to swallow the cost of OEM's shocks ( probalby 8-900 euro just for the pair in the back.. )
Any recommendations ? I am now looking at some Koni raids or OEM. The part number form a non Air suspension Prado will fit ?

Thank you.

 

[toolsplus]

I've just bought some KYB's for my 120,half the price of OEM. Not soft or firm,just nicely in the middle,quality dampening...

 

[leeloo]

It is what I have now, KYB on the 150 the back is bouncing a lot.

 

[Juddian]

Are the airbags at full height ie have too much pressure in them, if anything i would have expected the KYB shocks to be not as stiff in damping as the OE electronic versions.
There is a theory that airsprings need much firmer damping than steel springs, i don't have a valid view because its not something i've experimented with.
You say the ride is both rock hard and yet bouncy, i'd be looking somewhere other than the shocks first, KYB make good quality shocks, i have KYB springs and shocks on the back of our Forester following the failure of one of the self levelling OE shocks made of unobtanium, they are doing a fine job the vehicle is more stable and rides if anything better than before.

I'd get underneath and make sure the level sensor mechanism is working freely both sides, if the height sensors are anything like on the 120 they have a short mini size drop link connector which allows smooth movement of the sensor mechanism as the vehicle goes over undulations, if never lubed up those mini drop link pivots can seize and eventually the sensor lever can break or the bracket, this happens on Subarus too which have similar designs for headlight and self levelling suspension adjustments.
You won't have decent rear suspension if the height sensors have failed in any way.

 

[leeloo]

The self leveling system is working fine, and I am talking about normal height. Even in my 120 air spring with OEM electronic shocks it would become very stiff when I extended to full height.
I am pretty sure is the shocks. In front is not a big issue where I have normal steel springs. A bit on the firm the side for may taste, but ok.
In the back is the problem. A Spring, either air or steel, dictates the ground clearance and the weight caring capacity, a shock dictates behavior.( simplifying things, they both have a say in both areas, but weight and and gound clearance is mostly the spring, behavior is mostly the shocks )
Most likely the kyb I have in the back work fine for a normal coil spring LC 150, but they are not valved for an Air spring. An air spring compresses more or less the same, but the rebound does not have this pendulum effect as in a coil spring, so the rebound setting needs to be different. This is why I am looking at kony heavy track or raid, they have a possibility to adjust it, so with some luck I might find a setting that works for me.

 

[Juddian]

I'll be interested in the results you find, whilst the shockers on my airsprung 120 are in good condition presently if they fail i had already pencilled in KYB shocks as replacements, so if you find that an adjustable shock cures your issues i for one will be grateful for the knowledge gained.

 

[leeloo]

Koni raid shocks are avalable, but heavy track are out of stock everywhere I look.
From what info I have, koni raid are beefier and can deal with heat better, but a bit overkill for me, and they are significantly more expensive.
I can wait a bit, if not I will have to bite the bullet.