Lexus ES300 (1997 year). Manual — part 571

F01921

Front

Rear

SA0DV–04

SA3213

Front

A

D

B

C

SA–4

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT

1052

1997 LEXUS ES300 (RM511U)

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT

INSPECTION

1.

MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT

Tire size

Front*

1

mm (in.)

Rear*

2

mm (in.)

205/65R15

213 (8.39)

259 (10.20)

*

1

: Front measuring point

Measure from the ground to the center of the front side lower
suspension arm mounting bolt.
*

2

: Rear measuring point

Measure from the ground to the center of the front side strut rod
mounting bolt.
NOTICE:
Before inspecting the wheel alignment, adjust the vehicle
height to the specification.
If the vehicle height is not to the specification, try to adjust it by
pushing down on or lifting the body.

2.

INSTALL CAMBER–CASTER–KINGPIN GAUGE
ONTO VEHICLE OR POSITION VEHICLE ON WHEEL
ALIGNMENT TESTER

Follow the specific instructions of the equipment manufacturer.
3.

INSPECT CAMBER, CASTER AND STEERING AXIS
INCLINATION

Camber

Left–right error

–0

°

37’

±

45’ (–0.62

°

±

0.75

°

)

45’ (0.75

°

) or less

Caster

Left–right error

2

°

18’

±

45’ (2.30

°

±

0.75

°

)

45’ (0.75

°

) or less

Steering axis inclination

Left–right error

13

°

04’

±

45’ (13.07

°

±

0.75

°

)

45’ (0.75

°

) or less

If the caster and steering axis inclination are not within the spec-
ification, after the camber has correctly adjusted, recheck the
suspension parts for damaged and/or worn out parts.

4.

INSPECT TOE–IN

Toe–in

(total)

A + B: 0

°

±

12’ (0

°

±

0.2

°

)

C – D: 0

±

2 mm (0

±

0.08 in.)

If the toe–in is not within the specification, adjust it at the rack
ends.

W03086

R14309

1

2

W03087

F01195

Bolt

Adjusting
Value

Set Bolt

15’

30’

Adjusting Bolt

90105–17001

90105–17003 90105–17004

90105–17005

45’

1

°0

0’

1

°15

’

1

°

30’

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1 Dot

2 Dots

3 Dots

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT

SA–5

1053

1997 LEXUS ES300 (RM511U)

5.

ADJUST CAMBER

NOTICE:
After the camber has been adjusted, inspect the toe–in.
(a)

Remove the front wheels and speed sensor clamp.

(b)

Remove the 2 nuts on the lower side of the shock absorb-
er.

(c)

Coat the threads of the nuts with engine oil.

(d)

Temporarily install the 2 nuts.

(e)

Adjust the camber by pushing or pulling the lower side of
the shock absorber in the direction in which the camber
adjustment is required.

(f)

Tighten the nuts.
Torque: 211 N·m (2,150 kgf·cm, 156 ft·lbf)

(g)

Install the front wheels.
Torque: 103 N·m (1,050 kgf·cm, 76 ft·lbf)

(h)

Check the camber.

HINT:

Try to adjust the camber to the center value.

Adjusting value for the set bolts is 6’ – 30’ (0.1

°

– 0.5

°

).

If the camber is not within the specification, using the table be-
low, estimate of how much additional camber adjustment will be
required, and select the camber adjusting bolt.

(i)

Do the above mentioned steps again. Between step (b)
and (c), exchange 1 or 2 selected bolts.

HINT:
When exchange 2 bolts, exchange 1 bolt for each time.

W03088

W03089

SA0028

Front

A

B

A

B

A: Inside
B: Outside

SA–6

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT

1054

1997 LEXUS ES300 (RM511U)

6.

ADJUST TOE–IN

(a)

Remove the boot clamps.

(b)

Loosen the tie rod end lock nuts.

(c)

Turn the left and right tie rod ends an equal amount to ad-
just the toe–in.

HINT:

Try to adjust the toe–in to the center value.

Make sure that the length of the left and right tie rod ends
length are the same.
Tie rod end length difference:
1.5 mm (0.059 in.) or less

(d)

Torque the tie rod end lock nuts.
Torque: 74 N·m (750 kgf·cm, 54 ft·lbf)

(e)

Place the boot on the seat and install the clip it.

HINT:
Make sure that the boots are not twisted.

7.

INSPECT WHEEL ANGLE

Turn the steering wheel fully, and measure the turning angle.

Inside wheel

Outside wheel

(Reference)

35

°

47’

±

2

°

31

°

25’

If the wheel angles differ from the specification, check the left
and right tie rod end length.

SA0DW–03

SA3213

Front

A

D

B

C

W03090

W03091

–

SUSPENSION AND AXLE

REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT

SA–7

1055

1997 LEXUS ES300 (RM511U)

REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT

INSPECTION

1.

MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT (See page

SA–4

)

NOTICE:
Before inspecting the wheel alignment, adjust the vehicle
height to the specification.
2.

INSTALL CAMBER – CASTER – KINGPIN GAUGE
ONTO VEHICLE OR POSITION VEHICLE ON WHEEL
ALIGNMENT TESTER

Follow the specific instructions on the equipment manufacturer.
3.

INSPECT CAMBER

Camber

Left–right error

–0

°

48’

±

45’ (–0.80

°

±

0.75

°

)

45’ (0.75

°

) or less

HINT:
Camber is not adjustable, it measurement is not within the
specification, inspect the suspension parts for damaged and/or
worn–out parts and replace them if necessary.

4.

INSPECT TOE–IN

Toe–in

(total)

A + B: 0

°

24’

±

12’ (0.4

°

±

0.2

°

)

C – D: 4

±

2 mm (0.16

±

0.08 in.)

If the toe–in is not within the specification, adjust it at the No.2
lower suspension arm.

5.

ADJUST TOE–IN

(a)

Measure the length of the left and right No.2 lower sus-
pension arms.
No.2 lower suspension arm length difference:
1 mm (0.04 in.) or less

If the left–right difference is greater than the specification, ad-
just the length.

(b)

Loosen the lock nuts.

(c)

Turn the left and right lower suspension arms an equal
amount to adjust toe–in.

HINT:

Try to adjust the toe–in to the center value.

One turn of the each adjusting tube will adjust the toe–in
about 36’ (0.6

°

, 6.7 mm, 0.264 in.).

(d)

Torque the lock nuts.
Torque: 56 N·m (570 kgf·cm, 41 ft·lbf)