Steering/Suspension - Vehicle Pulls to The Left

STEERING
ST003-04

February 4, 2004

Title
VEHICLE PULL IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE

Models
'04 ES 330

Introduction

This service bulletin is to inform you of the repair procedure for the 2004 model year ES 330 vehicles pulling 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





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 1

1. Confirm problem symptoms.

With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the customer's complaint involves vehicle pulling to the left.





2. Decide if vehicle pulling is due to spring mount or tires.

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.

NOTE:
Warranty Claims for Repair Procedure # 1, use OP Code ST3008 and Combo A only.

Repair Procedure 2

1. Remove LH Front Strut Assembly from vehicle following the procedures included in the Technical Information System (TIS).





NOTE:
Do not loosen the strut assembly upper lock nut.

2. Once Strut Assembly has been removed from the vehicle, place on a work surface.

3. Locate the triangular mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper.





4. On the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper outside edge measure 25 mm (1 inch) in the clockwise direction from the outward most point on the triangular shape as illustrated. Place a white paint mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper in that location.

5. Using a coil spring compressor (refer to Required SSTs"), compress the coil spring evenly to remove the spring tension on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper.

NOTE:
Do not loosen the strut assembly upper lock nut.





6. Rotate both the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper and the Front Coil Spring Insulator Upper together in the counterclockwise direction until the paint mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper is aligned with the centerline of the strut shaft.

HINT:
Use a tape measure to verify alignment.





CAUTION:
The coil spring must not be moved during this operation. 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 paint mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper in relation to the strut centerline. If the paint mark is not aligned with the centerline of the strut, repeat the procedure above.

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.

9. Reinstall the LH Front Strut Assembly following the instructions in TIS.

10. Repeat same procedure for RH Front Strut Assembly.

11. Check the vehicle alignment and follow the remaining repair procedures per TSIB No. ST004-01 "Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side."