Sedan cars handle much better than SUVs with a high center of gravity - this is an indisputable fact. To improve vehicle stability and reduce body roll during lane changes, sharp turns or off-road driving, engineers developed the KDSS system. An electronically controlled kinetic suspension stabilization system is equipped with most Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 SUVs. With rare exceptions, the KDSS system may not be installed on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 SUV, depending on the configuration.
Design of the KDSS system Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150
How the KDSS system works on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150
The principle of operation of the system is quite simple. In simple terms, the system consists of hydraulic cylinders - they are installed on the front and rear stabilizers and the valve control unit. A special hydraulic fluid circulates through a closed circuit.
A Toyota Land Cruiser 200 equipped with a KDSS system takes a sharp turn at high speed. Body roll is minimal for an SUV. When the car body tilts, for example to the right, the system changes the pressure in the circuit on the right axle, thereby preventing the body from tilting to the side. When operating a vehicle off-road equipped with a KDSS system, the vehicle's cross-country ability increases.
Thanks to the presence of the KDSS system off-road, suspension travel and rear axle articulation increases. When driving over hilly terrain and uneven terrain, when the suspension is working at the limit of its travel, the car's axle articulation will be much higher. Axle articulation is a term found primarily among off-road competitors in severe terrain. By articulation of the bridge we mean its ability to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. Articulation indicates the suspension's ability to keep the wheels from lifting off the ground (and therefore the ability to maintain traction) when driving over rough terrain.
A visual comparison of the suspension travel of SUVs when driving along one section of the road. The highest suspension travel is demonstrated by the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150, which is equipped with the KDSS system.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 equipped with KDSS. On off-road conditions, when the axle wheels move in antiphase when hanging diagonally, the line opens and the hydraulic cylinders open the stabilizers, increasing the angle of articulation of the suspensions.
Do you need KDSS or not: reviews from owners
Toyota offers the installation of KDSS as an additional option. The price of the car depends on it. This innovative development is expensive, but for regular off-road driving it is necessary to ensure safety.
- Igor: “I purchased a Prado from KDSS. I can say that with KDSS the car steers better, the stability is greater, and the ride is smoother off-road. There is something to compare with, my friend “Pradik” without it, on a fishing trip, all his brains were shaken out. I didn’t regret that I took exactly this configuration, as I feel safe while driving. Of course, this thing is expensive, I paid about 250 thousand rubles extra for the car, but my own life and health are more valuable. I drove about 100 thousand km, there were no breakdowns.”
- Andrey: “The first Pradik was pre-restaling without KDSS, now I bought it with the system. I don’t regret it, because the car corners much better and doesn’t roll. The stiffness of the suspension is, of course, strong, and it’s terrible on bumps. I’m happy with both options, the main thing is that the car doesn’t break down and nothing knocks in it.”
There were practically no negative reviews during the entire period of operation; all drivers were satisfied with the additional option.
Maintenance and repairs of the vehicle chassis
Often, the lack of experience working with a car equipped with the system leads to sad consequences for the owner. A simple replacement of the front suspension arms, shock absorbers or stabilizer bushings can lead to a visit to a specialized service center and further maintenance of the KDSS system - it will be necessary to bleed the system and level the position of the body.
Before carrying out work on the chassis, the mechanic dissolves the KDSS system on a Toyota Land Cruiser 200. Therefore, it is better to carry out work on the chassis of the car - suspension repairs, replacement of bushings - in specialized technical centers that specialize in Toyota cars. We very often had to repair the KDSS system on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150.
KDSS system Toyota Land Cruiser 150
Functions
The driver needs to know what it is - KDSS on the Prado 150, but there is no need to go into the details of its operation. This is due to the fact that the device is completely electronically controlled.
Main functions:
- ensuring smooth driving off-road;
- suspension stabilization under different driving conditions;
- ensuring safety during strong car rolls;
- improved stability in extreme conditions.
If there is a malfunction, the computer displays an error. When the failure indicator lights up, it means that the system is not able to function fully. Repair or replacement of parts is required.
Reliability of the system, its malfunction and repair methods
By its design, the KDSS system on Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs is quite reliable. The cause of system failure in 90% of cases is the system valve block. Climatic conditions in Russia - sudden temperature changes, reagents and salt and dirt that cover Russian roads have a negative impact on the valve block body. Over time, chemical oxidation processes occur. Corrosion leads to the destruction of the housing itself and its internal elements.
Official dealers and many service stations will offer to replace this unit with a new one. The cost of the work and the valve block of the system itself is quite significant. In our case, the Toyota Dubrovka company carries out high-quality diagnostics of the system and carries out its repair even in the most difficult cases.
According to our many years of experience working with Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, the hydraulic cylinders of the system failed only twice. On the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150, the hydraulic cylinder of the rear axle was replaced, on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200, the hydraulic cylinder of the front axle was replaced.
A burning KDSS symbol on the dashboard of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 SUV indicates the need for system diagnostics.
Signs of system malfunction:
- The appearance of the KDSS symbol on the instrument panel after starting the engine when all warning lights have gone out.
- Car body distortion.
- Strong lateral rolls when cornering.
What to do if the KDSS Prado 150 error is on?
Diagnostics of the CDSS is carried out by measuring the pressure in the hydraulic circuit of the system and reading the error codes with a scanner. One of the most common errors is c1831, which means a malfunction of the accumulator solenoid valve. If the KDSS error is on, you need to urgently diagnose the system. Operating a car with a non-functioning kinetic stabilization system is dangerous!
KDSS diagnostics are also required in case of body misalignment. There may be several reasons for this - unqualified repair of the chassis, failure of the front and/or rear hydraulic cylinder and air entering the hydraulic circuit of the KDSS system. Let's look at these points in more detail.
Work principles
- We are familiar with each car personally. We take into account the pace of life and the wishes of each of our clients. The head of the TOP GEAR 77 auto center is always in touch personally. You can contact him with a question or for advice.
- We pay a lot of attention to the quality of the services provided, reaching a new level of service and repair.
- We regularly update our tool and technical equipment and select the most advanced repair and maintenance technologies.
- When you carry out repairs with us, you can be sure of its quality. Our team of highly qualified specialists allows us to cope with a task of any complexity and provide the optimal solution for car enthusiasts of all the world's leading automobile brands.
- Our transfer gearboxes, gearboxes and other components and assemblies are installed in many service centers in Russia.
Need for replacement
Stabilizer bushings are among the parts that are subject to the greatest dynamic loads. They require regular replacement, depending on the maintenance regulations adopted by various car manufacturers and models. The maximum mileage before replacing the rear and front bushings is usually from 15,000 to 30,000 km. Considering the state of our roads, it is recommended to replace them based on wear and tear.
Untimely replacement can lead to the formation of a roll in the car's stabilizer, and this, in turn, increases the risk of the car tipping over at speed. The complete set must be replaced, regardless of the difference in external signs of wear. The cost of such a repair service at a service station is often overpriced, given the ease of replacement for most car models, so it is advisable to replace the front and rear bushings yourself.
How to extend the life of KDSS and prevent its premature failure?
The reliability of this system has been tested by time. All the car owner needs is to provide it with proper care. Regularly during scheduled maintenance, Taganka Service technicians check it and determine the level and condition of the fluid in its cylinders. If necessary, they recommend replacing it: as a rule, this happens approximately every eighty thousand kilometers.
Sometimes repair of the Prado 150 KDSS valve block is required. The need for it arises due to the destructive effects of chemicals and moisture from the road. This problem can be eliminated by regular cleaning, which can also be ordered during maintenance at our car service center.
The price of the service depends on the complexity/volume of work. You can view our tariffs in the price list or by contacting our telephone line operators: +7 (495) 308-94-57. We offer a wide range of services, so you can also order Toyota engine repairs from us.
Replacing rear stabilizer bushings
The rear stabilizer bushings of the Prado 150 with KDSS are easier to change. You will need a wrench, a 14 mm socket and a crowbar instead of a mounting tool, since the KDSS pressure is higher here. The work takes 20 minutes.
The repair begins on the left side, where the KDSS cylinder is installed. Unscrew the bolts under it. Next, supporting the stabilizer by the transverse rod with a crowbar, move to the right side. The stabilizer and clamps are cleaned. New bushings are installed in the same way as originally: the left one is cut forward, the right one is cut back. The assembly procedure is the same as for disassembly. First, assemble the left side, then the right, raising the stabilizer and pressing the KDSS cylinder.
Symptoms of suspension problems
On the Land Cruiser 100 SUV, the suspension design is reliable. But some signs indicate its wear and tear:
- The braking distance has increased - a sign of suspension failure. During emergency braking, the rear wheels lose contact with the road surface - the shock absorbers are worn out.
- Loss of stability, sudden wheel slip - the problem is not in the tires, but in the shock absorbers.
- The car rocks - again the shock absorbers. The ride becomes not very comfortable, silent blocks and other elements of the suspension and transmission wear out.
- The car rolls from bow to stern. “Pecking” of the body of a Toyota car occurs when the shock absorbers do not perform their function. The weight of the car is redistributed unevenly - a threat to the safety of passengers.
- Knocks from under the bottom when vehicles go over uneven roads. A sign of serious suspension failure. You can't drive a car like that.
- The ground clearance has decreased - the suspension springs have worn out. They sag due to metal corrosion.
- Tires wear unevenly - springs sag.
