L-SB-0025-18

July 10, 2018

Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Service
Category

Suspension

Section

Front Suspension

Market USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2018

LS500, LS500H

VDS(s): B51FF, B5LFF, BY1FF, BYLFF, C51FF,
C5LFF, CY1FF, CYLFF

Introduction

Some 2018 model year LS500 and LS500h vehicles equipped with air suspension may exhibit an
air leak in the shock absorber seal when sitting stationary for long periods of time. This condition
may cause a drop in the suspension ride height. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to
address this condition.

Production Change Information

This bulletin applies to vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs
shown below.
MODEL

PLANT

DRIVETRAIN

PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN

2WD

JTHB5#FF#J5001265

4WD

JTHC5#FF#J5001139

2WD

JTHBY#FF#J5001162

4WD

JTHCY#FF#J5000897

LS500
Tahara
LS500h

© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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L-SB-0025-18

July 10, 2018

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Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Warranty Information
OP CODE

DESCRIPTION

TIME

430151

R & R Front Shock Absorber (One Side)

Combo A

R & R Front Shock Absorber
(Opposite Side)

482201

R & R Rear Shock Absorber (One Side)

Combo A

R & R Rear Shock Absorber
(Opposite Side)

Combo E

Rear Toe Adjustment

SU1803

All Four Shocks and System Pressurizing

OFP

T1

T2

45

99

48010-50390
48010-50400
48020-50390
48020-50400
See Flat Rate
Manual

6.8

48080-50430
48080-50440
48090-50430
48090-50440
48010-50###
48020-50###
48080-504##
48090-504##

APPLICABLE WARRANTY
 This repair is covered under the Lexus Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months
or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
 Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in
this bulletin.

Parts Information
PART NUMBER
PART NAME
PREVIOUS

QTY

NEW

48010-50390

1
Cylinder Assy, Pneumatic, Front RH W/Shock Absorber

48010-50400

1

48020-50390

1
Cylinder Assy, Pneumatic, Front LH W/ Shock Absorber

48020-50400

1

N/A
48080-50430

Cylinder Assy, Pneumatic, Rear RH W/ Shock Absorber

48080-50440

1
1

48090-50430

1
Cylinder Assy, Pneumatic, Rear LH W/ Shock Absorber

48090-50440
NOTE
This was an issue in production and part numbers were NOT changed since countermeasure ONLY
affected assembly process.
© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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July 10, 2018

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Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Required Tools & Equipment
SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS (SST)

PART NUMBER

QTY

Nitrogen Gas Injection Tool*

09761-50010-01

1

Tube Remover*

09730-00020

1

VVT Set Bolt Wrench*

09249-37010-01

1

* Essential SST.

NOTE
Additional SSTs may be ordered by calling 1-800-933-8335.

REQUIRED TOOLS & MATERIAL

QUANTITY

Tape Measure

1

Flat Surface (Drive on Rack) Recommended

1

Soapy Water and Spray Bottle

1

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

SUPPLIER

Techstream 2.0*
Techstream Lite

PART NUMBER

QTY

TS2UNIT
ADE

Techstream Lite (Green Cable)

TSLITEPDLR01
TSLP2DLR01

* Essential SST.

NOTE
 Only ONE of the Techstream units listed above is required.
 Software version 13.10.019 or later is required.
 Additional Techstream units may be ordered by calling Approved Dealer Equipment (ADE)
at 1-800-368-6787.

© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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July 10, 2018

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Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Repair Procedure

1. Does the vehicle exhibit low suspension height in the front or rear when compared to the front
or rear with normal height appearance?


YES — Continue to step 2.



NO — This bulletin does NOT apply. Continue diagnosis using the applicable
Repair Manual.

Figure 1. Good Condition

Figure 2. Bad Condition

2. Using Techstream, check the Air Suspension Data List for Pressure Sensor 1 (Tank).
Is Pressure Sensor 1 (Tank) pressure above 1.200MPa, threshold -/0.2MPA?
 YES — Continue to step 3.
 NO — Go to step 5.
3. Was the vehicle recently driven and the height adjustment switch activated?



YES — Go to step 5.
NO — Continue to step 4.

© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0025-18

July 10, 2018

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Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Repair Procedure (continued)

4. Let the vehicle sit overnight.
A. Take pre-measurements for height specification in Normal Mode. (Check specification
for specific model and drive type.)
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
 2018 LS500:
Suspension – Alignment/Handling Diagnosis – "Alignment / Handling Diagnosis:
Front Wheel Alignment(for 2WD / AWD): Adjustment"


2018 LS500h:
Suspension – Alignment/Handling Diagnosis – "Alignment / Handling Diagnosis:
Front Wheel Alignment(for 2WD / AWD): Adjustment"

B. AFTER the vehicle sits overnight, repeat substep A to recheck height measurements.

C. Using Techstream, check Air Suspension Data List for Pressure Sensor 1 (Tank) to
confirm if pressure has changed from the previous measurements.
Was there a drop in Pressure Sensor 1 (Tank) or vehicle height?



YES — Continue to step 5.
NO — This bulletin does NOT apply. Continue diagnosis using the applicable
Repair Manual.

5. Take measurements for height specification in Normal Mode. (Check specification for
specific model and drive type.)
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:


2018 LS500:
Suspension – Alignment/Handling Diagnosis – "Alignment / Handling Diagnosis: Front
Wheel Alignment(for 2WD / AWD): Adjustment"



2018 LS500h:
Suspension – Alignment/Handling Diagnosis – "Alignment / Handling Diagnosis: Front
Wheel Alignment(for 2WD / AWD): Adjustment"

Do the measurements meet specifications?



YES — This bulletin does NOT apply. Continue diagnosis using the applicable
Repair Manual.
NO — Continue to step 6.

© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0025-18

July 10, 2018

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Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Repair Procedure (continued)

6. Check the front struts for air leaks by
spraying them with soapy water.
A. Spray soapy water on the area shown
(360° around the pressed-on ring) and
check for bubbles.
Was a leak found?


YES — Go to step 7.



NO — Continue to substep B.

Figure 3.

B. Repeat substep A for the left and
right struts.
Was a leak found?


YES — Go to step 7.



NO — Repeat substep A for the
rear struts, then continue to
step 7.

Figure 4. Example of Results if Leak is Present

© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0025-18

July 10, 2018

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Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Repair Procedure (continued)

7. Replace the strut.
A. Front Strut Removal:
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:


2018 LS500:
Suspension – Front Suspension – "Front Suspension: Front Pneumatic
Cylinder(for 2WD / AWD): Removal"



2018 LS500h:
Suspension – Front Suspension – "Front Suspension: Front Pneumatic
Cylinder(for 2WD / AWD): Removal"

B. Rear Strut Removal:
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
 2018 LS500:
Suspension – Rear Suspension – "Rear Suspension: Rear Pneumatic
Cylinder(for 2WD / AWD): Removal"


2018 LS500h:
Suspension – Rear Suspension – "Rear Suspension: Rear Pneumatic
Cylinder(for 2WD / AWD): Removal"
NOTE
The SST is ONLY required for four strut, compressor, or tank replacement. For single or double
strut replacement, follow the applicable Repair Manual for the air transfer procedure and to
reinitialize system pressure.

C. NEW Front Strut Installation:
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
 2018 LS500:
Suspension – Front Suspension – "Front Suspension: Front Pneumatic
Cylinder(for 2WD / AWD): Installation"


2018 LS500h:
Suspension – Front Suspension – "Front Suspension: Front Pneumatic
Cylinder(for 2WD / AWD): Installation"

© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0025-18

July 10, 2018

Front Suspension Height Low Due to Air Strut Leak
Repair Procedure (continued)

D. NEW Rear Strut Installation:
Refer to TIS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
 2018 LS500:
Suspension – Rear Suspension – "Rear Suspension: Rear Pneumatic
Cylinder: Installation"


2018 LS500h:
Suspension – Rear Suspension – "Rear Suspension: Rear Pneumatic
Cylinder: Installation"

8. Confirm the condition is no longer present.

© 2018 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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