Lexus RX300 (MCU15). Manual — part 556

SA2352

R10757

F01241

SST

SA2349

SST

SA–64

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

7.

MEASURE DRIVE PINION PRELOAD

Using a torque wrench, measure the preload of the backlash
between the drive pinion and ring gear.

Preload (at starting):
0.6 – 0.9 N·m (6 – 9 kgf·cm, 5.2 – 7.8 in.·lbf)

8.

CHECK TOTAL PRELOAD

Using a torque wrench, measure the total 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)

If necessary, disassemble and inspect the differential.

9.

REMOVE SIDE GEAR SHAFTS

(a)

Using needle nose pliers, remove the 2 snap rings from
the 2 side gear shafts.

(b)

Remove the 2 side gear shafts.

10.

REMOVE SIDE GEAR SHAFT OIL SEALS

Using SST, remove the 2 oil seals from the housing.

SST

09308–00010

11.

REMOVE COMPANION FLANGE

(a)

Using a chisel and hammer, unstake the staked part of the
nut.

(b)

Using SST to hold the flange, remove the nut.
SST

09330–00021

R11391

SST

SA2348

SST

Z00641

SST

F03753

Matchmarks

FA1992

SST

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

SA–65

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

(c)

Using SST, remove the companion flange.
SST

09950–30011 (09951–03010, 09953–03010,
09954–03010, 09955–03030, 09956–03020)

12.

REMOVE FRONT OIL SEAL AND OIL SLINGER

(a)

Using SST, remove the oil seal from the differential carrier.
SST

09308–10010

(b)

Remove the oil slinger.

13.

REMOVE FRONT BEARING AND BEARING SPACER

(a)

Using SST, remove the front bearing from the drive pinion.
SST

09556–22010

(b)

Remove the bearing spacer.

14.

REMOVE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY

(a)

Place matchmarks on the bearing cap and differential car-
rier.

(b)

Remove the 4 bolts and 2 bearing caps.

(c)

Using SST and a hammer, remove the 2 plate washers.
SST

09504–22011

HINT:
Measure the plate washer and note down the thickness.
(d)

Remove the differential case assembly and 2 bearing out-
er races from the differential carrier.

HINT:
Tag the 2 bearing outer races to show the location for reassem-
bling.

R10668

SST

R10669

Front

Rear

F03755

Matchmarks

F03756

SST

SA–66

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

15.

REMOVE DRIVE PINION FROM DIFFERENTIAL CAR-
RIER

16.

REMOVE DRIVE PINION REAR BEARING

(a)

Using SST and a press, remove the rear bearing from the
drive pinion.
SST

09950–00020

HINT:
If the drive pinion or ring gear are damaged, replace them as
a set.
(b)

Remove the plate washer.

17.

REMOVE FRONT AND REAR BEARING OUTER
RACES

Using a brass bar and hammer, remove the 2 outer races from
the carrier.

18.

REMOVE RING GEAR

(a)

Place matchmarks on the ring gear and differential case.

(b)

Using a screwdriver and hammer, unstake the 4 lock
plates.

(c)

Remove the 8 ring gear set bolts and 4 lock plates.

(d)

Using a plastic hammer, tap on the ring gear to separate
it from the differential case.

19.

REMOVE SIDE BEARINGS

Using SST and a press, remove the 2 side bearings from the
differential case.

SST

09950–00020

NOTICE:
Be careful not to drop the differential case.

R07223

Z13195

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

SA–67

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

20.

DISASSEMBLE DIFFERENTIAL CASE

NOTICE:
If equipped with torque sensing LSD, do not disassemble
the differential case.

(a)

Using a pin punch and hammer, remove the straight pin.

(b)

Remove the pinion shaft.

(c)

Remove the 2 pinion gears.

(d)

Remove the 2 pinion gear thrust washers.

(e)

Remove the 2 side gears.

(f)

Remove the 2 side gear thrust washers.