Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120. Chassis. Unusual breakdown

Suspension Land Cruiser Prado 120 body oba

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 is an all-wheel drive car from Toyota Motor Corporation, which was produced in Japan at the Tahara plant from 2002 to 2009. Both three-door and five-door models were produced. Prado in the 120 body is the third generation in the Land Cruiser Prado line. The car received particular popularity from the residents of our country, as it has excellent cross-country ability and high comfort. This article will tell you in detail about the height of the rear suspension on the Prado 120 and its various features.

Toyota LC Prado 120 air suspension

Although many people consider the TLK air suspension to be indestructible and do not look at it even once during the operation of the car, they later regret it, since restoring the entire air suspension will cost a considerable amount. That is why get your pneuma diagnosed. And if you also have an intensifying flavor with adjustable hardness, then you cannot do without diagnostics.

The suspension of the Land Cruiser Prado 120 oba body is loved for the following advantages:

1. The car does not sag under any load.
2. It is convenient and comfortable, as it is formed by flavors with adjustable hardness.
3. Cheap spare parts.

In addition to its advantages, pneuma also has disadvantages:

1. Pneumatic cylinders burst.
2. Sensors freeze.
3. The compressor and receiver break down.

On this machine, air suspension is installed only on the rear axle. On city roads it will last approximately 200-250 thousand km; if you drive off-road, it will last a little less. The cost of pneumatic cylinders is 6,500 rubles, and the sensor will cost 3,000 rubles less. The most expensive breakdown will be the compressor; its price is twice as much as air cylinders.

If you don't like the air suspension or find it too expensive, you can replace it at any time that suits you. It can be converted to a spring type without any difficulty, and expensive flavors with adjustable hardness can be replaced with regular ones.

To choose the right air suspension, you need to choose the right car model. To do this, use information with the following content: power in l/s, engine size, type and drive of your car.

This information will help you buy the air suspension with the correct size and part number.

We study the air suspension of the Prado 120

The rear air suspension of the Prado 120 is quite common. Unlike the classic spring design, rubber cylinders filled with air are installed here. A system capable of changing hardness was also installed on the Toyota Land Cruiser 100, but its operation was ensured by a special fluid. In the Prado, this function is performed by compressed air .

The advantage of this suspension is that the ground clearance does not depend on how loaded the Prado 120 is.

The position of the body is closely monitored by two sensors, thanks to which the pneumatics maintain the required height. The adjustment occurs automatically; in addition, the driver has the opportunity to choose one of the three available operating modes . This allows you to increase off-road capabilities or improve handling on asphalt at the right time.

Prado 120 air suspension control

General arrangement of rear axle air suspension

The Prado 120 pneuma is controlled using a switch block . There is an “OFF” key on it, which turns off the automatic mode, and a knob that allows you to select one of the manual control options: high (HI), medium (Normal) and low (LO).

In HI mode, the ground clearance increases by 30-40 mm (the amount depends on the modification). This takes 15-20 seconds. In low LO mode, the Prado body squats by 30 mm in 10-15 seconds.

Air suspension switch block

When automatic control is activated and the flag is turned to Normal mode , at speeds over 50 km/h the suspension will be in the middle position. If you drive slower, the ground clearance will increase as much as possible. When driving less than 12 km/h, the ground clearance will drop to a minimum, and vice versa.

Nuances of operation and adjustment of pneuma

, body roll to one side is often discussed . The reason for this is not a breakdown, but the inexperience of drivers and their laziness to study the operating instructions. Some owners go to a car service center with this problem; they are very lucky if they come across an honest mechanic who will explain everything and will not force them to pay for the “repair”.

We are talking about the roll of the car after parking on an uneven surface. To prevent this from happening, you need to turn off the automatic switching mode of the Prado 120 air suspension before parking on uneven surfaces or when jacking up the car.

If this is not done, then during subsequent parking the body will warp. This happens because at the moment the engine starts, the control system reads the position of the suspension at the moment and remembers it , taking it as horizontal.

If the situation is skewed, adjusting the air suspension of the Prado 120 will correct it.

1. Place the Prado 120 on a flat surface.
2. By pressing the “OFF” key, turn off automatic mode switching.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Start the engine again and press “OFF” to activate the automatic mode selection system.

Operation of Prado 120 air suspension off-road

When towing the Prado 120 , turn off the automatic suspension mode and set it to the “Normal” position. When driving off-road, turn off automatic mode selection and move the switch to the “HI” position.

The manufacturer prohibits the use of the pneumatic control system in frosts below -30°. When operating in such weather conditions, it is necessary to turn off the automation and set the body to the middle position.

Diagnostics

To avoid unpleasant surprises on the road, it is necessary to regularly diagnose the Prado 120 air suspension . For self-diagnosis, there is a connector in the interior of the SUV. And the technical instructions for the Prado 120 describe this process in detail.

Prado120 technical documentation and instructions can be found here.

Technical instructions Prado 120

It is useful to visit a car service center from time to time to check the air suspension of the Prado 120. The following signs :

• when the engine is not running, the car sags;
• one of the selected manual modes is not held;
• the valves in the electromagnetic block are not sealed;
• after starting the engine, the front or rear of the car rises.

First, computer diagnostics . Check the serviceability of the system, valves and sensors. Then the mechanic checks the pneuma for external defects and eliminates them.

Monitor the condition of the air suspension. A fault detected in time will help you avoid unpleasant surprises on the road.

Prado 120 air suspension design

The air suspension control system (ANS) consists of the following mechanisms.

1. ABS control unit for Prado without pneuma.
2. Door position limit switches.
3. Speed ​​sensors.
4. ANS system relay .
5. Pneumatic cylinder.
6. A sensor that determines the amount of ground clearance.
7. Air valve Prado 120.
8. Control valve.
9. Bypass valve.
10. Release valve.
11. Air filter.
12. Trunk opening sensor.

Air suspension control system (ANS)

pneumatic indicators and switches on the dashboard:

1. ANS system mode indicator .
2. Pneumatic on/off indicator.
3. ANS control unit .
4. TEMS control unit .
5. Connector for diagnostics.
6. Stop signal switch limit switch.
7. Flag for switching pneumatic modes.
8. Air switch " OFF ".

Pneumatic indicators and switches

The Prado 120 air suspension system also includes the following mechanisms :

• block that controls electrical equipment (receives information from limit switches and redirects it to the AHC );
• ABS control unit (sends information from speed sensors to the ANS );
• ANS system control unit .

Front suspension diagnostics

The front suspension of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is independent and double wishbone on the axles. It can be equipped with either a regular cheap one or an expensive pneumatic one. Depending on driving, pneumatic cylinders will last up to 140,000 km, and a pneumatic compressor about 180,000 km.

Description of the front suspension of the Prado 120. It consists of:

• double wishbone;
• ball joint;
• internal and external CV joints;
• flavoring;
• springs;
• suspension rods.

To make a diagnosis, you must do the following:

1. We clean the bottom of the car.
2. We remove the height control sensor, since the wires are not located very well, they can get moisture, dirt, etc.
3. We also clean the frame and suspension from dirt, salts and corrosion.
4. We perform maintenance on pneumatic cylinders and clean electrical contacts.
5. We cover all suspension elements and its sealing materials with an anti-corrosion layer.

This completes the diagnostics.

For a visual representation, below is a diagram of the front suspension of the Prado 120:

KDSS diagnostics and repair

Land Cruiser Prado 150 KDSS

It is better to carry out these actions at a trusted service center. Let us consider in detail the process of diagnosing the CDSS system:

• First, a computer scan is performed to identify possible errors. The Prado 150 has an electronic pressure sensor; the scanner reads error codes and other data to determine the cause of the malfunction.
• Check the pressure in the circuit.
• If necessary, pump both cylinders.
• KDSS repairs must be carried out with the vehicle on a flat, horizontal surface. A wheel alignment stand is best suited for this work.
• First, equalize the pressure in the wheels. Only after this are measurements taken at selected control points on the rear and front axles. It remains to calculate the difference in the resulting heights between the left and right sides. A difference of up to 20 mm is allowed.
• Only the original hydraulic fluid for the KDSS system in the Prado 150 is used: “Toyota Suspension Fluid AHC” (4 liters). The manufacturer claims that it does not require replacement, but it is still better to update it every 60-70 thousand km. In addition, a complete fluid change and bleeding of the circuit is necessary after any repair of the CDSS associated with depressurization. In addition, pumping is necessary if there is a body roll to one side or another.
• More often it is necessary to change the valve block, tubes, and hydraulic cylinders. After all procedures, check the circuit for possible leaks.

Bleeding the circuit

We figured out the diagnostics of the KDSS system - the process is not complicated. KDSS cannot be repaired; its units are replaced with new ones. Each time this requires pumping. Let's look at this action in more detail:

• Remove the protection from the stabilizer distributor.
• We find the inlet valve for pumping the circuit, remove the cap from it.
• We connect to it a special pump capable of dispensing liquid under high pressure.
• Use only original hydraulic fluid for Prado 150 “Toyota Suspension Fluid”.
• We loosen the dampers of the block that controls the stabilizers by one or one and a half turns.
• The pump pumps liquid into the circuit at a pressure of 50 kg/sq.cm.
• If a leak is detected from the KDSS system, you must immediately reduce the pressure and take measures to eliminate it.
• To remove air, open and close the bleeder fittings.
• The pressure in the circuit should be 26-30 kg/sq.cm.
• After removing the air and achieving the required pressure, we again check the height and skew of the body.
• We tighten the valves, disconnect the pump, and replace the cap and protection.

After repair and pumping, the KDSS is checked for performance under road conditions in all modes. Then connect the scanning device and check for errors.

Connect the scanning device and check for errors (link to image source)

Rear suspension features

Many Prado models in the 120 body are equipped with rear air suspension with rubber pneumatic cylinders. It differs from others in that it operates on compressed air.

The elements of the rear air suspension are:

1. Switch. It is able to turn off automatic height control and switch operating modes. There are three modes in total: HI-high, used when driving off-road, Normal-medium, used on a regular road, LO-low, necessary for convenient exit or entry into the car.
2. Control indicator. If the control indicator is not lit, it means it is turned off, and if it is blinking, then some kind of malfunction has occurred that can be corrected by reading its diagnostic codes.
3. Air filter. Its main task is to purify the air from various pollutants. It is not disassembled, so if it breaks, the entire body will need to be replaced.
4. Compressor. Consists of the compressor itself, valve and dryer.
5. Pneumatic cylinder. Consists of an air chamber filled with high pressure compressed air. It is needed to support the body and change its height.
6. Pneumatic receiver. It consists of a separate reservoir and a block of solenoid valves. The reservoir is used to store the exhaust air, and the solenoid valve passes compressed air between the cylinders.
7. A sensor that determines the height of the body. It consists of a brush sliding along the receiver, which creates a plate and is located on the left and right sides of the rear axle.

These are all the components that are found in the rear air suspension.

How the KDSS system works

Components of the KDSS system

The essence of the mechanism is simple and ingenious. The front and rear stabilizers, responsible for lateral stability, are connected to each other by means of two hydraulic cylinders. A special fluid circulates through hydraulic cylinders in a closed circuit. The KDSS circuit is equipped with sensors, hydraulic accumulators and valves.

When driving on a flat surface, the valves are closed and the fluid is at rest. At this time, the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders are blocked and rigidly connect the stabilizers to the body, minimizing car roll in high-speed turns. When smooth asphalt is replaced by a broken road, the valves in the hydraulic accumulators open, which allows them to compensate for surges in fluid pressure inside the circuit and reduces shaking inside the car.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120. Chassis. Unusual breakdown

The Japanese SUV Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in the 120 body was produced from 2003 to 2009. The mileage of cars, especially the first years of production, in some cases exceeds the 500,000 km mark. The SUV's chassis is reliable. It withstands off-road conditions, broken roads, potholes and potholes.

The SUV has good comfort and handling - thanks to the independent suspension of the front axle and steering rack. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV was produced with a wide range of power units, but in Russia it was sold only with a 4-liter petrol V6. On the European market, in addition to the gasoline version, there was also a 3-liter diesel D4D. For the UAE there was a very wide range of power units, including small petrol units of 2.7 liters. In the mid-2000s, the lion's share of cars was imported by “gray dealers” and they are often found on our roads.

Despite the many trim levels and wide range of power units, the chassis of the SUV is practically the same. In some configurations, air springs are installed on the rear axle; on simpler ones, as a rule, these are cars for the UAE with a 2.7 gasoline engine, springs are installed. The front suspension of all cars is identical.

The chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 with significant mileage requires investment. These could be front suspension arms, steering shafts and shock absorbers. The crosspieces in the steering cardan become sour and the splined part wears out - knocking noises during road irregularities will inform you about this. With age, the front suspension arms of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 have typical problems - play in ball joints, delamination of silent blocks, soured bolts - hence the inability to adjust wheel alignment angles, uneven tire wear and deterioration in handling.

Levers Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

5 out of 5 (5 ratings)

* Calculated based on Yandex Directory reviews

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado levers can be purchased as a set or individually. The front or rear control arms of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado require replacement, suspension diagnostics will show. Maybe there is no need to replace the levers, but instead replace the silent blocks and/or balls? The answers to all these questions can be obtained by diagnosing the suspension. In terms of price, it is best to buy a set of levers, it comes out cheaper. The set of front suspension arms may also include tie rod ends and rods.

Manufacturers produce steel, light alloy, aluminum and duralumin levers. You can buy growlers for the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado either assembled with silent blocks and a ball joint, or without a ball joint. When buying rear suspension arms for a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, you should immediately buy alignment bolts and washers. In addition, if the car is more than 5 years old, bolts for securing the front suspension arms may also be needed.

Cost of front and rear control arms for Toyota Land Cruiser Prado:

*—not
applicable on every model.
VIN number verification required. Buy Toyota Land Cruiser Prado levers

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The cost of levers depends on whether they are new or used, the manufacturer, completeness, as well as on availability in our warehouse or delivery time to our store.

What types of suspension arms are there:

Front suspension arms: front left and right arm, front upper left and right arm, front upper rear left and right arm, front upper left and right arm, front lower left and right arm, front lower left rear arm and front lower right arm rear Rear suspension arms: rear upper and lower arm, rear transverse arm, rear longitudinal arm left and right.

Rating of lever manufacturers:

1. Lemfoerder (Germany) 2. TRW (Germany) 3. Delphi (England) 4. Moog (USA) 5. Ruville (Germany)

When to buy levers:

— silent blocks or a ball joint are only assembled with a lever; — wear of the silent block seats; it is not possible to replace new ones; — the lever is bent as a result of an accident or impact;

For engine

• 2.7 AT 4WD (163 hp)
• 3.0 D AT 4WD (173 hp)
• 3.0 D MT 4WD (173 hp)
• 2.7 MT 4WD (163 hp)
• 4.0 AT 4WD (282 hp)
• 2.7 AT (150 hp)
• 3.0 D AT (170 hp)
• 3.0 D MT (170 hp)
• 3.4 AT (185 hp)
• 2.7 AT (163 hp)
• 2.7 MT (163 hp)
• 3.0 TD AT (173 hp)
• 3.0 TD MT (173 hp)
• 4.0 AT (249 hp)
• 2.7 MT (150 hp)
• 3.0 TD AT (130 hp)
• 2.7 AT (160 hp)
• 3.0 TD MT (130 hp)
• 2.7 MT (160 hp)
• 3.4 AT (190 hp)
• 3.4 MT (190 hp)
• 3.0 TD AT (140 hp)
• 3.0 TD MT (140 hp)
• 3.4 MT (185 hp)
• 3.0 DT AT (130 hp)
• 3.0 DT MT (130 hp)
• 2.4 DT AT (97 hp)
• 2.4 DT MT (97 hp)
• 3.0 D AT 4WD (7 seats) (173 hp)
• 3.0 D AT 4WD (5 seats) (173 hp)
• 3.0 D MT 4WD (5 seats) (173 hp)
• 2.8 D AT 4WD (5 seats) (177 hp)
• 2.8 D AT 4WD (7 seats) (177 hp)
• 4.0 AT 4WD (5 seats) (282 hp)
• 4.0 AT 4WD (7 seats) (282 hp)
• 2.7 AT AWD (163 hp)
• 2.7 MT AWD (163 hp)
• 4.0 AT AWD (249 hp)
• 2.8 D AT AWD (177 hp)
• 2.8 D MT AWD (177 hp)
• 2.8 TD AT 4WD (177 hp)
• 3.0 TD AT 4WD (190 hp)
• 3.0 TD AT 4WD (173 hp)
• 3.0 TD MT 4WD (173 hp)
• 3.0 TD MT 4WD (190 hp)

Modifications

• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J150
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J120
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J90
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J70
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J150 restyling
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J90 restyling
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J150 2nd restyling