Lexus RX300 (MCU15). Manual — part 558

SA2351

SST

SA2352

F01251

F01252

F01253

SA–72

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

(d)

Adjusting the drive pinion preload by tightening the com-
panion flange nut.
Using SST to hold the flange, torque the nut.
Torque:
108 – 235 N·m (1,100 –2,400 kgf·cm, 80 –174 ft·lbf)
SST

09330–00021

NOTICE:
As there is no spacer, torque a little at a time, being careful
not to overtighten it.

(e)

Using a torque wrench, measure the preload.
Preload (at starting):
New bearing:
1.1 – 1.7 N·m (11 – 17 kgf·cm, 9.6 – 14.8 in.·lbf)
Reused bearing:
0.6 – 0.9 N·m (6 – 9 kgf·cm, 5.2 – 7.8 in.·lbf)

8.

INSTALL DIFFERENTIAL CASE IN CARRIER

(a)

Place the 2 bearing outer races on their respective bear-
ings. Make sure the left and right races are not inter-
changed.

(b)

Install the differential case in the carrier.

9.

ADJUST RING GEAR BACKLASH

(a)

Install only the plate washer on the ring gear back side.

(b)

Snug down the washer and bearing by tapping on the ring
gear with a plastic hammer.

(c)

Using a dial indicator, hold the companion flange and
measure the ring gear backlash.
Backlash (reference):
0.13 – 0.18 mm (0.0051 – 0.0071 in.)

(d)

Select a ring gear back side plate washer so that the back-
lash is 0.13 – 0.18 mm (0.0051 – 0.0071 in.).

(e)

Select a ring gear teeth side washer so that there is no
clearance between the outer race and case.

(f)

Remove the plate washer and differential case.

(g)

Install the plate washer to the ring gear back side.

F01254

F01255

RA0090

F01256

SST

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

SA–73

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

(h)

Place the outer plate washer onto the differential case to-
gether with the outer race, and install the differential case
with the outer race into the carrier.

(i)

Using a plastic hammer, snug down the washer and bear-
ing by tapping the ring gear.

(j)

Using a dial indicator, hold the companion flange and
measure the ring gear backlash.
Backlash: 0.13 – 0.18 mm (0.0051 – 0.0071 in.)

If it is not within the specification, adjust it by either increasing
or decreasing the thickness of washers on both sides by an
equal amount.
HINT:
There should be clearance between the plate washer and case.
Ensure that there is ring gear backlash.
10.

ADJUST SIDE BEARING PRELOAD

(a)

After adjusting the ring gear backlash as reference, re-
move the teeth side plate washer.

(b)

Using a micrometer, measure the thickness of the re-
moved plate washer.

(c)

Install a new washer 0.06 – 0.09 mm (0.0024 – 0.0035 in.)
thicker than the removed washer.

HINT:
Select a washer which can be pressed in 2/3 of the way by fin-
ger.

(d)

Using SST and a hammer, tap in the plate washer.
SST

09504–22011

F01257

Matchmarks

F03768

Hold

SA2352

SA–74

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

(e)

Align the matchmarks on the bearing cap and differential
carrier, and install the 2 bearing caps and 4 bolts.
Torque: 79 N·m (800 kgf·cm, 58 ft·lbf)

(f)

Recheck the ring gear backlash.
Backlash: 0.13 – 0.18 mm (0.0051 – 0.0071 in.)

If it is not within the specification, adjust it by either increasing
or decreasing the washers thickness on both sides by equal
amount.
HINT:
The backlash will change by about 0.02 mm (0.0008 in.) corre-
sponding to 0.03 mm (0.0012 in.) change in the plate washer
thickness.

Washer thickness

Thickness mm (in.)

Thickness mm (in.)

Thickness mm (in.)

2.21 – 2.23 (0.0870 – 0.0878)

2.57 – 2.59 (0.1012 – 0.1020)

2.93 – 2.95 (0.1154 – 0.1161)

2.24 – 2.26 (0.0882 – 0.0890)

2.60 – 2.62 (0.1024 – 0.1031)

2.96 – 2.98 (0.1165 – 0.1173)

2.27 – 2.29 (0.0894 – 0.0902)

2.63 – 2.65 (0.1035 – 0.1043)

2.99 – 3.01 (0.1177 – 0.1185)

2.30 – 2.32 (0.0906 – 0.0913)

2.66 – 2.68 (0.1047 – 0.1055)

3.02 – 3.04 (0.1189 – 0.1197)

2.33 – 2.35 (0.0917 – 0.0925)

2.69 – 2.71 (0.1059 – 0.1067)

3.05 – 3.07 (0.1201 – 0.1209)

2.36 –2.38 (0.0929 – 0.0937)

2.72 – 2.74 (0.1071 – 0.1079)

3.08 – 3.10 (0.1213 – 0.1220)

2.39 – 2.41 (0.0941 – 0.0949)

2.75 – 2.77 (0.1083 – 0.1091)

3.11 – 3.13 (0.1224 – 0.1232)

2.42 – 2.44 (0.0953 – 0.0961)

2.78 – 2.80 (0.1094 – 0.1102)

3.14 – 3.16 (0.1236 – 0.1244)

2.45 – 2.47 (0.0965 – 0.0972)

2.81 – 2.83 (0.1106 – 0.1114)

3.17 – 3.19 (0.1248 – 0.1256)

2.48 – 2.50 (0.0976 – 0.0984)

2.84 – 2.86 (0.1118 – 0.1126)

3.20 – 3.22 (0.1260 – 0.1268)

2.51 – 2.53 (0.0988 – 0.0996)

2.87 – 2.89 (0.1130 – 0.1138)

–

2.54 – 2.56 (0.1000 – 0.1008)

2.90 – 2.92 (0.1142 – 0.1150)

–

11.

MEASURE TOTAL PRELOAD

Using a torque wrench, measure the preload.

Total preload (at starting):
Drive pinion preload plus
0.3 – 0.5 N·m (3 – 5 kgf·cm, 2.6 – 4.3 in.·lbf)

F01259

SA1653

Proper Contact

Heel Contact

Toe Contact

Select an adjusting washer that will bring the
drive pinion closer to the ring gear.

Face Contact

Flank Contact

Select an adjusting washer that will shift
the drive pinion away from the ring gear.

SA1586

Plate Washer

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

SA–75

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

12.

INSPECT TOOTH CONTACT BETWEEN RING GEAR
AND DRIVE PINION

(a)

Coat 3 or 4 teeth at 3 different positions on the ring gear
with red lead primer.

(b)

Hold the companion flange firmly and rotate the ring gear
in both directions.

(c)

Inspect the tooth contact pattern.

If the teeth are not contacting properly, use the following table
to select a proper washer for correction.

Washer thickness

Thickness mm (in.)

Thickness mm (in.)

Thickness mm (in.)

2.26 – 2.28 (0.0890 – 0.0898)

2.41 – 2.43 (0.0949 – 0.0957)

2.56 – 2.58 (0.1008 – 0.1016)

2.29 – 2.31 (0.0902 – 0.0909)

2.44 – 2.46 (0.0961 – 0.0969)

2.59 – 2.61 (0.1020 – 0.1028)

2.32 – 2.34 (0.0913 – 0.0921)

2.47 – 2.49 (0.0972 – 0.0980)

2.62 – 2.64 (0.1031 – 0.1039)

2.35 –2.37 (0.0925 – 0.0933)

2.50 – 2.52 (0.0984 – 0.0992)

2.65 – 2.67 (0.1043 – 0.1051)

2.38 – 2.40 (0.0937 – 0.0945)

2.53 – 2.55 (0.0996 – 0.1004)

2.68 – 2.70 (0.1055 – 0.1063)