X-REAS repair

I have a 2016 Limited with 89K miles and the driver front strut is leaking. I am not new to turning wrenches (engine builds, drag boat racing, suspension, paint, etc.) but I am trying to get up to speed on this system. Can I purchase all four struts from Toyota and change them without replacing anything else? Where are the check valves in the system? I've found online Toyota dealers selling the complete strut assemblies (front and rear) for ~$1K with lines attached.

 

It's a pain in the arse to bleed out the system. The cross valving units sit in the middle on each of the frame rails. Most folks will just pull out the X-REAS system and replace it with a set of Bilstein 6112's or 5112's. The process is pretty easy (lots of YouTube Videos). The new Bilstein system will preform better then the X-REAS system. I am going to be do the swap out to Bilstein 6112 fronts / 5112 rears on my 2019 Limited this spring.

Here is one such video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BdjttFvmV8

 

I saw that video earlier when searching. So this is my wife's vehicle and it spends 100% of its time on road. I want to keep a ride as close to possible as OEM. I drive a F250 daily so my version of "smooth" is not Cadillac, ha! I also had an MR2 with full coilovers then a G35 on 20"s and coilovers in prior life. I just want to avoid the mom mobile riding rough. In speaking with my local dealer he said ~$5K because they replace the entire setup so I'm assuming they do the struts, lines, and center valving units? Money is not a concern, but $5K seems a bit much. I was concerned going aftermarket because I read comments saying it won't ride smooth anymore. This online Toyota dealer out of Indiana is telling me they have success replacing only the struts?

 

I don't think that I have heard of any one (non-dealer) just replacing the struts. I might be mistaken but servicing the hydraulic system seems to be the biggest issue.

I really think going from the X-REAS system to Bilstein 5112's is not going impact the ride of your Limited. The 20" wheels and tires on a Limited already impact the ride comfort compared to other wheel/tire setups, that are lighter with more a bit more side wall to soak up the bumps.

I have a 2019 Limited and 2021 TRD ORP. I upgraded my ORP with Bilstein 5112's and it has better ride quality then my Limited. The 5112's really control body roll and nose dive just like the X-REAS system and are considerably better then the stock shocks that my ORP came with. My wife prefers to drive the ORP over the Limited. My ORP also tracks better on the highway then my Limited.

These diagrams show how the oil and pressurized gas system work in the X-REAS system: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...replacement-diy-instructions.pdf?v=1662066521

Check out the Car Care Nut (A Toyota Master Tech) - He talks about the X-REAS system around the 5:25 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wavg6av4eE

 

So I was comparing ELKA 2.5DC which the norm is the most comfortable suspension out there (at least per the 4x4shop) vs XREAS. In my opinion XREAS handle the bumps, potholes and cracks on pavement really well vs ELKA 2.5DC was not able to smooth the ride on pavement as XREAS. But on a gravel road / off pavement rough roads things are opposite. ELKA 2.5DC absorb the bumps really well. Not having KDSS that adds to make it smoother as well. I really love keeping both compression adjusters to most soft settings. This experience is why I call my TRD Pro Fox suspension a piece of .

But since XREAS been a sealed system I would personally go to servicable comfy shocks vs spending a whole lot for replacing XREAS. Also since aftermarket suspension made to run in lifted configuration that's a plus for me.

 

As others have suggested, replace with a good aftermarket shock and remove the XREAS system. It will leak again.

 

Yep. New shocks and a 17" tire and wheel combo. A larger sidewall will make a world of difference in ride quality.

 

Anyone running the Fox 2.0 coils with remote reservoirs? I'll be keeping it at stock height since it's 2WD

 

2016 Limited 2WD...not uncommon

 

A high percentage of Limited's in Florida are 2WD's.

 

I knew we would never take it off road since it's a daycare crawler so I didn't want to mess with more parts (4WD).

 

I guess 2wd models have more payload capacity. I wonder if you be willing to share us a pic with the carry capacity sticker on the driver door.

I really wish I meet someone with stock 2wd and stock 4wd to take measurements. Though the 2wd have 9.0 ground clearance vs 9.6 9n 4wd its hard to see visually.

 

I replaced my xreas (had 140k miles) with Bilstein 6112/5160. I wish I had done so sooner. I have less nose dive now and if anything the truck rides smoother.

 

I'm assuming y'all keep factory springs and just did shocks?

 

Every time I've removed an XREAS, I have kept the factory springs unless I was lifting it. Although, it is a good time to upgrade, if you want...Side note: I'm not sure about other Bilsteins, but I have had too many 5100's leak and won't use them anymore.

 

The problem I'm having is all the spring/shock combos I'm finding are lifts.

 

I doubt you need springs at 89k, unless you have some serious rust.

 

Did you want to replace shocks and springs, or just shocks?

 

I was looking at assembled setups just to save time. I'll check out some shocks