KDSS existing or new owners BEWARE!

What do you think controls the system?

 

Yeah, that definitely looks like it needs to be clean and shiny for longevity. Thanks, everyone, great info and heads up!

 

Pretty cool video. Land Rover claim that the new Defender is more advanced with their air suspension system and multiple ECMs. I guess time will tell.

 

I'd keep the covers on 1. So Toyota can't say I caused a problem by removing them, ie, "you removed the protection we provided", and 2. in case something gets kicked up underneath the truck while driving. But, I think I'll add removing the covers occasionally to check it out and clean it as needed to my list o' 4Runner chores too. Thx for the pics, MyWyfsRnnr!

 

Yeah, I agree. Covers are generally a good thing, even on road. Stuff takes a beating under there for sure.

 

Then they would say you let the dirt and salt in.

Can't win here I think regular cleaning is the best bet.

 

Inspected both shields yesterday. Rear one was packed with humid mud, front one ok. Drilled several extra 1/2” holes in both guards, cleaned them out well and the system components, smeared grease all over including the KDSS system. Put anti-seize on the 4 nuts. Will be designing and installing some kind of mud flap just forward of the rear shield in order to prevent mud from the front driver side tire flinging mud onto the shield. Will definitely be removing shields and cleaning it all out every spring and fall as well as spraying Fluid Film all over.

 

I recently added rock sliders to my 4R with KDSS, and during the process had to remove both covers. There was a small accumulation of dirt and a few small stones. I thoroughly cleaned them before replacing them. Any time I return from an off-roading adventure, I do a thorough cleaning of the vehicle and pay special attention to all under body components. One area that can become particularly packed with dirt is the area between the body and rear wheel well in front of the tire. There is an uncovered area behind the black molding that can become caked with mud and dirt that is not cleaned by simply hosing out the wheel well. You need to go inside the wheel well with your hand and point your hose or brush back toward the exterior of the 4R.

Also, if you have a factory covering under the engine, where you would put an actual skid plate, that area can accumulate a lot of dirt, due to the small mesh screen in the front of the covering. Another potential area for rust.

Sorry to hear your KDSS is in need of repair as a result of dirt and salt. Thankful that I don't live in an area where roads are salted.

 

After Op's warning, I checked mine. It was a clay brick.

 

Thank you for posting this! This motivates me to check mine sooner than later.

 

I hate to hear this.

Tough situation, for sure. Valid arguments from both sides.

This adds nothing, but I feel that if you have a vehicle you plan to keep past its warranty period, you should either become intimately familiar with it, or find a mechanic whom you fully trust. Spoiler alert.. sadly, your Toyota dealer is likely not that mechanic. Through either of those avenues, your KDSS system would have been identified and maintained enough to (hopefully) avoid this situation.

If you actually read the 4Runner's Owner's Manual, you'll see that they've already lawyered up and require an insane amount of maintenance when taking her off-road. I do find it funny, though, that they claim you need to check the tightness of EVERY chassis bolt, but fail to mention anything about paying special attention to the KDSS system.

This is my first truck, and I was already spraying down the entire underside after each off-road trip, especially if mud or tall grass were involved. That said, I didn't pay any special attention to any areas in particular.. I just made sure I was thorough and hit everything I could, and let the water run until it came out clear. Well, upon installing my new suspension, I quickly found a few suspect areas that I'll definitely have to keep an eye on. One in particular that's crazy to me is the LCA. Each LCA basically has a swimming pool built-in that's deep enough to hold 1/4 lb. of mud.. and because it's deep, the mud at the bottom takes very very long to dry out, if at all. So it stays moist and packed in, despite thoroughly hosing her down, and driving on the interstate.

If I lived in a state that used various chemicals, etc. on the road in the winter, I'd look at it the same way as off-roading. Anything but rain-water and air can easily cause concern...

 

HOLY BLEEP.

Super happy my Trail Premium doesn't have this option, apparently (I don't rock-crawl).

 

Thanks for the tips. Mine weren’t anywhere near as bad as Bodie’s. But the large cover held a good quantity of Arizona and Utah red sand/mud. The little cover had just a few pebbles in it.

 

Finally checked mine yesterday. I definitely need to check it more often. This will become a standard part of my post off-roading routine

 

Okay but can't you just unbolt KDSS and bolt on the SR5 sway bar for way less money? It's a completely passive system with no electronics right? Converting back to standard sway bars can't be that expensive.

 

Yow. This looks like a real deficiency in the Toyota design of that large cover. The forward-facing end is open and it allows junk from the front tire to be slung into the top opening. I’m going to try to rig up some sort of mud flap up there to deflect dirt and stones away.

 

Unfortunately - this is old, very well documented news. Servicing the system is a major PITA too once you break the seal.

 

The system should never need any service. And, the "seal" should never be broken unless there is already an issue.

 

Pulling off 4 bolts once a year after a salty, slushy, sandy winter is no big deal for me. I’m just surprised Toyota doesn’t include this as a regular service item. But as a weekend warrior, I don’t mind. It’s worth it to have kdss. Great system. I wouldn’t change a thing. Mine is going to last forever if I keep it cleaned up like I’m doing now. I like to give everything a quick spray of fluid film before I put it back together. It takes about 30 minutes tops.

 

Damn mine didn’t have that much dirt in it haha. This seems like it should be in the owners manual and part of a regular maintenance procedure. I’ll be doing it once every oil change now. I had to cut the two slots off the bracket to remove the cover due to the factory rock rails.

 

i will soak it next time in FluidFilm or similar antirust stuff. Easier to keep the moisture away and manual cleanup twice a year.
Thanks for the heads up. Some of those pics are kinda scary.

 

Agreed! This could save people from failures and the associated repair bills.

 

I've only had my (new to me 2014 Trail Premium) offroad a few times now and I figured this out quickly. It's too easy to pop two bolts loose and wash the mud clear when you go to clean the undercarriage. I think I spend more time washing dirt off the underside of the car than the shiny bits. Keeps everything a lot cleaner and easier to work on as well.

 

Honestly, the real miss here is on Toyota's 2 year free Toyota Care and not including guidance to the dealership on their process for the "multipoint inspection." When the dealer has the vehicle in for service, and the vehicle is equipped with KDSS, there should be a touchpoint on these; no questions asked. I would imagine a dealership who services the truck and promises they perform a multipoint inspection which includes the undercarriage, may be responsible for your loss legally.

 

Couple bolts to take it off and clean it out, JMHO not a big deal for the benefits of KDSS. Agreed that Toyota should warn you about it, but they also don’t tell you not to splash water or mud into the poorly designed ABS actuator connections that have forward facing exposed electrical gang connections at each rotor. Gotta help the Toyota techs keep their families fed. KDSS has been around for sometime, Lexus has been using it for many years and most Toyota Landcruisers and other vehicles that are manufactured in Australia

 

Who's responsibility is it here? We're the ones buying the 4runner and taking on the responsibility. Nobody knocks on your door ready to tutor you when you have a kid; you have to put the effort in to learn about care and feeding.

Easier than an oil change.

 

Especially with these new cartridge filters!

Agreed, though. Mine will be getting removed for post-shenanigan cleaning sessions from here on out. I always try to hose it out, but apparently I haven't been doing a sufficient job.

 

Haha, yes I need to look into that.