Lexus ES300 (2002 year). Manual — part 117

CHASSIS – STEERING

CH-80

208CH41

Rod

208CH42

Moving

Orifice

208CH43

Moving

Flow volume reduce more

208CH44

Moving

Returning the flow volume

Low Speed Range (A)

Flow volume increases in accordance with the
increase of pump speed.

Middle Speed Range without Steering (B)

The flow control valve moves to the left and
reduces the flow volume by drawing the orifice
accordance to the change of the shaft diameter of
the rod.

High Speed Range without Steering (C)

The flow control valves moves further left and
with the maximum shaft diameter of the rod, the
flow volume reduces more.

During Pressure Loading (D

D’)

If operating the steering in the middle and high
speed range, the flow control valve moves to the
right according to the pressure increase of the
vane pump resulting in opening the orifice and
returning the flow volume.

CHASSIS – STEERING

CH-81

211CH52

211CH53

Free

Lock

Tension Spring

Upper Column Tube

Tilt Lever

Pin

Pawl

Compression
Spring

Lower Column Tube

TILT STEERING

The tilt mechanism consists of a tilt lever, pawl, upper column tube, lower column tube, tension spring and
compression spring.
A hole is provided at the tip of the tilt lever, into which the pawl pin is inserted.
Because the pawl pin is inserted into the hole at the tip the lever, moving the tilt lever causes the pawl to move
downward. As a result, the ratchet of the lower column tube and the ratchet of the pawl disengage from each
other to release the tilt lock.
Releasing the tilt lever causes the lever (which is under spring tension) to return. Accordingly, the pawl is
pushed upward, causing the ratchet of the column tube and the ratchet of the pawl to engage with each other,
thus locking the tilt lock.

CHASSIS – STEERING

CH-82

212CH10

212CH11

Before Collision

After Collision

Energy Absorbing
Plate

Lower Bracket

Main Shaft

Intermediate Shaft

Bracket Spacer

Deform

Contract

Contract

Secondary
Collision

ENERGY ABSORBING MECHANISM

The energy absorbing mechanism mainly consists of a lower bracket, energy absorbing plate, contractile
main shaft and contractile intermediate shaft.
When an impact is transmitted to the steering wheel in a frontal collision (secondary collision), the lower
bracket and the bracket spacer, causing the entire steering column to move forward.
At the same time, the energy absorbing plate in the lower bracket is deformed by the bracket spacer to and
helps absorb the impact of the secondary collision.
Furthermore, the amount of forward movement of the entire steering column is absorbed by the contraction
of the main shaft and the intermediate shaft.

CHASSIS – SUSPENSION AND AXLE

CH-32

211CH18

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

SUSPENSION

1. General

A MacPherson strut type independent suspension has been adopted for the front.
A dual link MacPherson strut type independent suspension has been adopted for the rear.
An electric modulated suspension is optional equipment.

Specification

Tread

mm (in.)

1549 (70.0)

F

Caster

degrees

2

46’

Front
Suspension*

Camber

degrees

– 0

43’

Suspension*

Toe-in

mm (in.)

0

King Pin Inclination

degrees

11

27’

R

Tread

mm (in.)

1535 (60.4)

Rear
Suspension*

Camber

degrees

– 1

23’

Suspension*

Toe-in

mm (in.)

4 (0.16)

*: Unload Vehicle Condition