Removal
Caution: If the vehicle is equipped with electronically controlled air suspension, turn off the height control switch before raising the vehicle.
Application: When removing/replacing any rear suspension components, loosely tighten all bolts, adjust to normal ride height, and then fully tighten the bolts.
1. Remove the decorative panel covering the upper rack mounting elements (Fig. 10.1).
Fig. 10.1. To remove the plastic cover, pull it up
2. Loosen the rear wheel mounting nuts, lift the rear of the car and place reliable supports under it. Remove the wheel.
3. Disconnect the brake hose and wheel speed sensor wiring harness from the suspension strut (Fig. 10.3).
Fig. 10.3. Fastening the suspension strut to the lower bracket:
1 — Brake hose bracket bolt
2 — ABS wiring harness bracket
3 — Rack mounting elements
4. Disconnect the stabilizer bar from the suspension strut (see paragraph 9).
5. Support the hub support with a floor jack.
6. Loosen the nuts on the bolts securing the suspension strut to the hub support (Fig. 10.3).
7. On 2004 and later Lexus models equipped with electronic air suspension, disconnect the air hose going to the strut assembly.
Note: A special tool is required to disconnect the air hose from the suspension strut.
8. If the strut needs to be disassembled, loosen, but do not completely remove, the shock absorber rod nut (in the center).
9. Unscrew the three upper nuts securing the rack to the body.
10. Lower the hub support with a jack, unscrew the two bolts securing the suspension strut to the hub support, and then remove the strut assembly.
Inspection
11. Follow the inspection procedures described in paragraph 3. If you want to disassemble the suspension strut to replace the shock absorber or spring, please contact paragraph 4.
(The material is republished from an online website www.TOYOTAMAN.ru)
Application: On 2004 and later Lexus models with electronically controlled air suspension, if the strut is found to be faulty, it should be replaced.
Installation
12. Have an assistant position the strut into the engine compartment mudguard recess and thread the studs through the holes in the body. Screw on the nuts, but do not tighten them yet.
13. Insert the hub support into the lower strut bracket, insert the bolts and screw on the nuts, and then tighten them to the specified torque specified in Specifications at the beginning of this chapter.
14. Connect the stabilizer bar to the stabilizer bar bracket.
15. Secure the brake hose bracket and wheel speed sensor wiring harness to the strut.
16. Install the wheel and tighten the wheel nuts. Lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque specified in Specifications at the beginning of this chapter.
17. Tighten the three upper strut mounting nuts to the specified torque shown in Specifications at the beginning of this chapter, and replace the decorative cover that covers the fasteners.