Suspension - Revised Rear Tie Rod Adjustment/Tightening

L-SB-0069-12

August 29, 2012

Repair Manual Supplement: Tightening Sequence for Rear Tie-Rod Adjustment

Service Category
Suspension

Section
Alignment/Handling Diagnoses

Market
USA





Applicability

Introduction

The purpose of this bulletin is to supplement the rear tie-rod adjustment procedure in the Repair Manual to assure that the proper tightening sequence is followed. The following procedure should be used whenever performing a toe adjustment during a rear wheel alignment.





Warranty Information

Required Tools & Equipment

Adjustment Procedure

When performing a rear wheel toe adjustment carefully follow the instructions in this bulletin.

NOTICE

Inspect the jam nuts and adjusting tube for looseness as detailed below. If either nut is found abnormally loose during inspection, or if either jam nut does not rotate smoothly by hand after loosening, replace the rear No.1 suspension arm.





1. Inspect the rear No.1 suspension arm by inspecting the nuts and adjusting tube for looseness visually and by hand.





2. Put matchmarks onto the rear No.1 suspension arm assembly as shown in the illustration.

3. Check adjusting tube for looseness.

Using the SST, try turning the adjusting tube in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions with the specified torque to check that the matchmarks will not be misaligned.

WARNING
Do NOT apply more force than specified when checking for adjusting tube or jam nut looseness.

SST: 09617-24011

Torque:
Without SST: 20 N*m (204 kgf*cm, 15 ft*lbf)

Torque:
With SST: 17 N*m (174 kgf*cm, 13 ft*lbf)





Use a torque wrench with a fulcrum length of 300 mm (11.8 in.)

4. Check the lock nut at the ball joint side for looseness.

Holding the adjusting tube and using the SST, turn the lock nut at the ball joint side in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions with the specified torque to check that the matchmarks will not be misaligned.

WARNING

The wrench applied to the adjusting tube should NOT be turned during this step. HOLD the wrench applied to the adjusting tube while applying force to the SST or torque wrench.

If the lock nut is found loose replace the tie rod assembly.

Torque:
Without SST: 20 N*m (204 kgf*cm, 15 ft*lbf)

Torque:
With SST: 17 N*m (174 kgf*cm, 13 ft*lbf)





Use a torque wrench with a fulcrum length of 300 mm (11.8 in.)

If tie rod replacement or adjustment is necessary proceed to step 5 to perform the tie rod lock nut tightening sequence.





5. Tighten the inboard (bushing side) lock nut.

Torque:
Without SST: 56 N*m (571 kgf*cm, 41 ft*lbf)

Torque:
With SST: 49 N*m (500 kgf*cm, 36 ft*lbf)





6. Tighten the outboard (ball joint side) lock nut.

Torque:
Without SST: 56 N*m (571 kgf*cm, 41 ft*lbf)

Torque:
With SST: 49 N*m (500 kgf*cm, 36 ft*lbf)





7. Tighten the inboard (bushing side) lock nut again.

Torque:

Without SST: 56 N*m (571 kgf*cm, 41 ft*lbf)

Torque:
With SST: 49 N*m (500 kgf*cm, 36 ft*lbf)

© 2012 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, Canada