Steering/Suspension - Vehicle Pull or Drift
STEERINGST003-04
Title:
VEHICLE PULL/DRIFT IMPROVEMENT
PROCEDURE
Models:
'04 ES 330
February 4, 2004
TSIB REVISION NOTICE:
December 2, 2004: Title has been changed ("Pull" changed to "Pull/Drift"); VINs have been updated in Production Change Information section; Parts Information added; and Repair Procedure has been expanded and clarified, including rotation angle of Front Coil Spring Seat Upper. PLEASE READ ENTIRE TSB.
The previous TSIB should be discarded.
Introduction
This service bulletin provides the repair procedure for 2004 model year ES 330 vehicles with a slight pull or drift to the left. Please use these repair methods in conjunction with the Repair Manual instructions.
Applicable Vehicles
^ 2004 model year ES 330 vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below.
Production Change Information
Parts Information
Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Lexus Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.
Repair Procedure Flow Chart
Required SSTs
Repair Procedure No. 1
1. Confirm problem symptoms.
A. With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the customer's complaint involves vehicle pulling or drifting to the left or steering wheel off center.
2. Decide if vehicle pulling/drifting is due to tires, alignment settings or front springs.
A. Switch the left and right front tires, if the tires are non-unidirectional.
B. Conduct a road test to check whether the direction that the vehicle pulls has changed.
Repair Procedure No. 2
1. Remove both Front Strut Assemblies from vehicle following the procedures included in the Technical Information System (TIS), 2004 model year ES 330 Repair Manual:
Front Suspension: Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring.
NOTE:
Do not loosen the strut assembly upper lock nut.
2. Once both Strut Assemblies have been removed from the vehicle, place them on a work surface.
3. Locate the triangular mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper. The triangle indicates zero degrees from the strut centerline.
If the triangle is not at zero, the procedures in this TSIB may have been performed previously (Front Coil Spring Seat Upper rotation).
4. Remove the front springs using a coil spring compressor, (refer to "Required SSTs"). Compress the coil spring evenly.
5. Install the new front springs onto the strut and the remaining strut components, using the coil spring compressor.
6. Rotate the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper and coil spring insulator COUNTERCLOCKWISE until the triangle is 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) from the strut centerline.
CAUTION:
Ensure the lower coil spring is aligned with the Front Coil Spring Insulator Lower.
7. Carefully remove the coil spring compressor while ensuring the coil spring is in the proper location.
8. Recheck the position of the triangle mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper in relation to the strut centerline. If the triangle mark is not 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) COUNTERCLOCKWISE from the centerline of the strut, repeat the procedure above.
9. Recheck the position of the coil spring in the lower spring seat and tighten the upper lock nut to specification.
CAUTION:
Inspect the coil spring to verify the painted surface of the spring has not been damaged.
If necessary, use touch-up paint to cover any areas where paint has been removed.
10. Reinstall the both Front Strut Assemblies following the instructions in the Technical Information System (TIS), 2004 model year ES 330 Repair Manual, Front Suspension: Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring.
11. Check the vehicle alignment and follow the remaining repair procedures per TSIB No. ST004-01, "Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side."
12. Perform Zero Point calibration after setting the alignment to specification. Refer to TSIB No. BR001-04, "Zero Point Calibration, " for Zero Point reset procedure.