Hi all, I went to the dealer for service and was told the air suspension height sensor bracket was broken off. They charge me GBP 1000 to replace one, which I think is too much. Is there any other garage to fix it? My car is a 2011 RX 450h. Any suggestions for places around Watford/London? Many thanks.

HI

If you know the part numbers you can have a look on 

1. Aliexpress
2. eBay
3. Amayama
4. amazon

Hope this helps

 

Thank you very much. Do you know where I can find a place to install/replace it? 

Your air suspension ride height bracket has a similar mechanism to my GS ride height control unit. As I don't use my car much at night, I hadn't realised that the ball joint mechanism, on the sensor, had seized, which in turn led to the control rod snapping (probably over a pothole), which affected the headlamp aim. Although I checked the headlamps prior to the MoT, and they worked, it failed on the levelling aim, because the ride height control unit was broken. Long story short, because I had to get the car back on the road, quickly, I paid the £723.96 to the MoT centre to get a new ride height control unit fitted (sensor itself ws £511.20 +VAT). That was annoying, as I had a brand new Lexus sensor as a spare, which had cost me £116.43, plus VAT and shipping direct from Japan, a couple of years before, but the garage would not fit it, as they had not supplied the part. 

It is relatively easy to determine the part reference for your broken unit, by entering your chassis number on the Partsouq website: https://partsouq.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooNxNySW8M2Wr9BkMcj6Vo2SJfvghvAqFVljv78roGVpXGVbBFe. Once you have the part number, I assume you can shop around for the unit. Mine is installed under the front left wing (a separate one is also at the rear) using a combination of nuts, or bolts, but your looks to, perhaps, be fitted to an anti-roll bar. I think the main issue will be finding a garage, or mechanic, that will install a part you have purchased. I don't know if the unit affects the aim of the headlamps on your car, but assume they would need to be checked, or adjusted, after the height unit has been installed. 

10 hours ago, Jezzavin said:

Your air suspension ride height bracket has a similar mechanism to my GS ride height control unit. As I don't use my car much at night, I hadn't realised that the ball joint mechanism, on the sensor, had seized, which in turn led to the control rod snapping (probably over a pothole), which affected the headlamp aim. Although I checked the headlamps prior to the MoT, and they worked, it failed on the levelling aim, because the ride height control unit was broken. Long story short, because I had to get the car back on the road, quickly, I paid the £723.96 to the MoT centre to get a new ride height control unit fitted (sensor itself ws £511.20 +VAT). That was annoying, as I had a brand new Lexus sensor as a spare, which had cost me £116.43, plus VAT and shipping direct from Japan, a couple of years before, but the garage would not fit it, as they had not supplied the part. 

It is relatively easy to determine the part reference for your broken unit, by entering your chassis number on the Partsouq website: https://partsouq.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooNxNySW8M2Wr9BkMcj6Vo2SJfvghvAqFVljv78roGVpXGVbBFe. Once you have the part number, I assume you can shop around for the unit. Mine is installed under the front left wing (a separate one is also at the rear) using a combination of nuts, or bolts, but your looks to, perhaps, be fitted to an anti-roll bar. I think the main issue will be finding a garage, or mechanic, that will install a part you have purchased. I don't know if the unit affects the aim of the headlamps on your car, but assume they would need to be checked, or adjusted, after the height unit has been installed. 

Thank you very much. Indeed, I am able to find the part, but I am not sure where/how I can find a garage to help me install it. I called one that I used to have service at, and they told me they cannot do it because it requires a code reader to adjust the height after installation. I checked a YouTube video and don't think it is required...So I think finding the right garage is key...

No it doesn’t require software. If you don’t purchase an original sensor and mechanism then you may need to adjust the position / arm length so the headlight aim is adjusted correctly but any decent mechanic should be able to do that. 
 

Sorry, I don’t know any in your area but having a quick google search and Japex are in Kings Langley and they must have dealt with this issue before if they deal with Toyota and Lexus vehicles. 

I feel inspired to check my ride height control arm sometime.  Does it require periodic lubrication?

In fact, thinking about it, I wonder how many I might have.  Mine is a 2012 premier with Air suspension, so I wonder if it could have one at each corner?

23 minutes ago, welland said:

I feel inspired to check my ride height control arm sometime.  Does it require periodic lubrication?

In fact, thinking about it, I wonder how many I might have.  Mine is a 2012 premier with Air suspension, so I wonder if it could have one at each corner?

Certainly worth lubricating the mechanism every couple of years - sadly lubricating brakes and height sensors is too much work for a £760 service at Lexus.

Yes, you will have 4 sensors if you have air suspension.

On 7/11/2025 at 5:23 PM, David Smith said:

Hi all, I went to the dealer for service and was told the air suspension height sensor bracket was broken off. They charge me GBP 1000 to replace one, which I think is too much. Is there any other garage to fix it? My car is a 2011 RX 450h. Any suggestions for places around Watford/London? Many thanks.

Can you not do it yourself?

If you're a fairly competent DIYer then it's an easy job

As for the prices being quoted, that's just plain silly. Have a look on eBay where you can buy a complete unit for little more than £100, or you can buy the component parts individually if you so wish.

Below are just three examples but you'll probably get more hits (if you need them) by altering the search string:

eBay link 1

eBay link 2

eBay link 3

22 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

No it doesn’t require software. If you don’t purchase an original sensor and mechanism then you may need to adjust the position / arm length so the headlight aim is adjusted correctly but any decent mechanic should be able to do that. 
 

Sorry, I don’t know any in your area but having a quick google search and Japex are in Kings Langley and they must have dealt with this issue before if they deal with Toyota and Lexus vehicles. 

Thank you very much. It is on the rear right side. So it doesn't involve headlight adjustment. 

3 minutes ago, David Smith said:

Thank you very much. It is on the rear right side. So it doesn't involve headlight adjustment. 

It would still need to be adjusted to keep the vehicle flat and level otherwise the headlight aim would be out.

45 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

It would still need to be adjusted to keep the vehicle flat and level otherwise the headlight aim would be out.

Thank you, Colin. Does this adjustment have to be done by the dealer?

6 hours ago, Herbie said:

Can you not do it yourself?

If you're a fairly competent DIYer then it's an easy job

As for the prices being quoted, that's just plain silly. Have a look on eBay where you can buy a complete unit for little more than £100, or you can buy the component parts individually if you so wish.

Below are just three examples but you'll probably get more hits (if you need them) by altering the search string:

eBay link 1

eBay link 2

eBay link 3

Thank you very much. I am not competent, to be honest. If any garage charges me one hour of job, I will happily let them finish it for me, though I think I am able to buy the whole part by myself.