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Front Suspension: Removal & Installation Lexus LS III

Suspension Front 3 illustrations ~1673 words

Removal (ES300 & RX300)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Have an assistant apply brakes, if necessary, and remove axle nut. Remove 2 bolts, caliper and disc. Support caliper securely. DO NOT allow caliper to hang from brake hose. (Scheme 1)
  2. Remove ABS speed sensor and wiring harness from steering knuckle. Loosen 2 strut-to-knuckle bolts, but DO NOT remove. Remove cotter pin and nut from the tie rod end. Using Puller (09610-20012), disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle.
  3. Disconnect lower ball joint from lower arm. Remove 2 nuts and bolt. Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts. Remove steering knuckle and hub as an assembly.

Scheme 1

Scheme 1
Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 2: Removal (GS300 & GS430)
Scheme 2: Removal (GS300 & GS430)
  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Reference mark brake disc and axle hub for reassembly. Remove brake caliper and disc assembly. (Scheme 2)
  2. Remove ABS wheel speed sensor and bolt. Remove upper side of clip and nut. Using Puller (09610-20012), remove steering knuckle from upper suspension arm. Remove 2 bolts and steering knuckle from lower ball joint.

Removal (IS300)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Have an assistant apply brakes, if necessary, and remove axle nut. Remove 2 bolts, caliper and disc. Support caliper securely. DO NOT allow caliper to hang from brake hose. (Scheme 2)
  2. Remove ABS wheel speed sensor and wiring harness from steering knuckle. Remove cotter pin and nut from upper ball joint. Using Ball Joint press (09610-20012), remove steering knuckle from upper suspension arm. Temporarily install steering knuckle to upper suspension arm with nut. Remove 2 bolts and disconnect lower ball joint from steering knuckle with axle hub from upper suspension arm.

Removal (LS430)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Reference mark brake disc and axle hub for reassembly. Remove 2 bolts and brake caliper. Support brake caliper securely. Remove 2 screws and disc. Remove 2 bolts, ABS wheel speed sensor and wiring harness from steering knuckle. (Scheme 3)
  2. Remove 2 attaching bolts and disconnect steering knuckle from lower ball joint. Remove clip and nut. Using Puller (09610-20012), disconnect steering knuckle, and remove from upper ball joint.

Scheme 3

Scheme 3
Scheme 3

Installation (All Models)

To install steering knuckle, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Adjust front end alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Disconnect lower suspension arm from lower ball joint. Remove 2 bolts on front side of lower suspension arm. Remove bolt and nut on rear side of lower suspension arm. Remove lower suspension arm. Remove lower suspension arm bushing stopper from lower suspension arm shaft.

Installation (ES300 & RX300)

To install, reverse removal procedure. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Adjust wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Removal (GS300 & GS430)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove engine undercovers. Remove brake caliper and disc assembly, and suspend with wire.
  2. Remove clip and nut. Using Puller (09610-20012), disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove nut, and disconnect height control sensor link from shock absorber bracket.
  3. Remove stabilizer bar and links. Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove bolt and nut. Disconnect stabilizer bar link from stabilizer bar. Remove nut and stabilizer bar link.
  4. Disconnect shock absorber from shock absorber bracket. Loosen lower control arm mounting bolts. Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball joint. Using Puller (09628-62011), disconnect lower ball joint.
  5. Loosen or remove steering rack assembly as necessary. See POWER RACK & PINION article in STEERING. Remove nut, 2 bolts and strut bar bracket.
  6. Reference mark camber adjusting cam and suspension crossmember for reassembly reference. Remove bolt, nut, washer and lower suspension arm assembly.
  7. Remove bolt and shock absorber bracket from No. 1 suspension arm. Remove 2 bolts, and separate No. 1 and No. 2 lower suspension arms.

Installation (GS300 & GS430)

To install, reverse removal procedure. Align camber adjuster cam reference marks. Ensure suspension is stabilized in ride height position before tightening inner control arm pivot bolts. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Adjust wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove engine undercovers. Remove nut and disconnect height control sensor link from lower arm.
  2. Remove 8 bolts and suspension member brace. Remove 2 bolts and No. 2 lower suspension arm from No.1 lower suspension arm. Remove brake caliper and disc assembly. Remove cotter pin and nut from tie rod. Using Puller (09610-20012) remove tie rod end from lower ball joint.
  3. Remove 2 nuts and disconnect stabilizer link. Remove nut and bolt from lower shock absorber and disconnect from lower shock absorber bracket. Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball joint. Using Puller (09628-62011), disconnect lower ball joint from lower suspension arm.
  4. Remove 4 bolts from steering gear housing brackets and disconnect steering gear. Support steering gear assembly securely. Place matchmarks on cam plate and suspension member. Remove nut, washer, cam plate, cam bolt and No.1 lower suspension arm from suspension member. Remove lower shock absorber bracket from No.1 lower suspension arm.

Installation (IS300)

To install, reverse removal procedure. Align camber adjuster cam reference marks. Ensure suspension is stabilized in ride height position before tightening cam bolts. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Adjust wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove brake caliper and disc assembly. Remove ABS wheel speed sensor and wiring harness. DO NOT disconnect pad wear indicator connector.
  2. Remove clip and nut from tie rod end. Using Puller (09610-20012), disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball joint.
  3. Using Puller (09628-62011), remove lower ball joint from lower suspension arm. Remove clip and nut. Using puller, disconnect steering knuckle from upper ball joint. Remove steering knuckle with lower ball joint. See «HUB & KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY»(ref-127900-S01024579162001103000000) . Remove strut as an assembly. See «STRUT ASSEMBLY»(ref-127900-S08252912672001103000000) . On models with coil spring suspension, remove front shock absorber. On models with air suspension, remove pneumatic cylinder.
  4. Remove front shock absorber lower bracket. Remove 2 nuts, and disconnect strut bar from lower suspension arm. Remove 2 nuts and suspension member brace. Reference mark camber adjuster cam for reassembly reference. Remove nut, adjusting cam and lower arm.

Installation (LS430)

To install, reverse removal procedure. Align camber adjuster cam reference marks. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Adjust wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove stabilizer bar links. Remove left and right stabilizer bar bracket attaching bolts, brackets and bushings. Remove stabilizer bar from the left side of vehicle. DO NOT damage pressure lines.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove engine under cover. Remove stabilizer links. Remove 4 mounting bolts, and stabilizer bar with brackets and bushings.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove engine under cover. Remove stabilizer links. Remove 4 bolts and 2 brackets and bushings from stabilizer bar. Remove stabilizer bar.

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove steering knuckle with axle hub. See «HUB & KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY»(ref-127900-S01024579162001103000000) .
  2. On models with coil spring suspension, remove shock absorber and coil spring. On models with air suspension, remove pneumatic cylinder.
  3. Remove left and right stabilizer bar links. Remove shock absorber lower bracket. Remove strut bar.
  4. Remove stabilizer bar brackets and bushings. To remove stabilizer bar, remove 4 strut bar bracket bolts. Pull out strut bar bracket from stabilizer bar. Remove stabilizer bar from remaining strut bar bracket.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove brake caliper from steering knuckle. Disconnect ABS speed sensor and wiring harness from steering knuckle. Remove bolts, ABS speed sensor and harness.
  2. Using Ball Joint Puller (0960-20012), disconnect upper suspension arm from steering knuckle. Remove nut and bolt. Disconnect stabilizer bar from stabilizer bar link.
  3. To remove shock absorber, remove bolt and nut. Disconnect shock absorber from shock absorber bracket. Loosen piston rod lock nut. Remove 3 nuts, shock absorber and suspension support No. 1 from body.
  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove bolt and disconnect ABS sensor from steering knuckle. Remove bolt and disconnect ABS sensor wire harness clamp from shock absorber.
  2. Remove cotter pin and nut from upper ball joint. Using Puller (09610-20012), disconnect upper control arm from steering knuckle. Support steering knuckle securely. Remove nut and disconnect height control sensor link from lower arm. Remove nut and disconnect stabilizer bar.
  3. Remove nut and bolt and disconnect shock absorber from shock absorber bracket. Remove cap from suspension support. Loosen nut in center of suspension support. DO NOT remove nut. Remove 3 nuts, No.1 front spring reinforcement and shock absorber with coil from vehicle body. Remove No. 3 front spring reinforcement from shock absorber.

Removal (LS430 )

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove nut and disconnect sensor link. Remove clip and nut. Using Puller (09610-20012), disconnect steering knuckle from upper ball joint. DO NOT allow steering knuckle weight to hang from brakeline.
  2. Disconnect shock absorber from shock absorber lower bracket. Remove plug from suspension support. Loosen suspension support center nut. DO NOT remove nut. Remove 3 nuts and shock absorber with coil spring.

To install, reverse removal procedure. After installation, check ABS speed sensor signal and front wheel alignment. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check wheel alignment.

Removal (IS300, GS300, GS430 & LS430)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove shock absorber assembly from vehicle. See «STRUT ASSEMBLY»(ref-127900-S08252912672001103000000) . Remove 2 bolts and upper suspension arm.
  2. On LS430 models with coil suspension, remove front shock absorber assembly. On LS430 models with air suspension, remove front pneumatic cylinder.
  3. On all models, remove bolt, and disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness from upper suspension arm. Remove bolts and upper suspension arm.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

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