1997 lexus lx 450 (lx450) service repair manual

DIFFERENTIAL & AXLE SHAFTS
1997 DRIVE AXLES Lexus/Toyota Differentials & Axle Shafts
AXLE RATIO & IDENTIFICATION
Axle ratio may be determined by dividing number of ring gear teeth by number of teeth on drive pinion.
Vehicles delivered from manufacturer with large tires have a higher numerical axle ratio. Equipping vehicles
with larger diameter tires may alter axle ratio from factory specification.
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
Drive axle assembly is a hypoid gear type with separate carrier housing. Drive pinion transfers power to the ring
gear which provides power to the side gears and axle shafts.
Some models may be equipped with Electronic Locking Differential (ELD) system. See DIFFERENTIAL -
ELECTRONIC LOCKING article in DRIVE AXLES.
LUBRICATION
CAPACITY
DIFFERENTIAL FLUID CAPACITY
FLUID TYPE
For temperatures greater than 0°F (-18°C), use SAE 90W GL-5 hypoid gear oil. For temperatures 0°F (-18°C)
or less, use SAE 80W-90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: For Electronic Locking Differential (ELD) electronic controls testing, see
DIFFERENTIAL - ELECTRONIC LOCKING in DRIVE AXLES.
Application (1) Quantity: Qts. (L)
Front Axle
With Electronic Locking Differential 2.9 (2.7)
Without Electronic Locking Differential 3.0 (2.8)
Rear Axle 3.5 (3.3)
(1) Approximate quantity listed.
NOTE: See TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL
TROUBLE SHOOTING section.
1997 Lexus LX 450
DIFFERENTIAL & AXLE SHAFTS 1997 DRIVE AXLES Lexus/Toyota Differentials & Axle Shafts
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft
Thursday, August 27, 2009 1:51:00 PM Page 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Microsoft

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
FRONT AXLE SHAFT R & I
Removal
1. On models equipped with Electronic Locking Differential (ELD), turn ignition switch to ON position.
Turn differential lock control switch to FR/RR position and lock front differential. Rotate tires to ensure
differential is locked. Turn ignition off. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. On all models, raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Disconnect brakeline from brake caliper.
Remove brake caliper. Remove grease cap from flange hub. See Fig. 1 . Remove snap ring from end of
front axle shaft. Remove flange hub nuts.
3. Using brass drift and hammer, tap on studs to free cone washers from studs and flange hub. Remove cone
washers, flange hub and gasket. Bend over tabs on lock washer. Remove wheel bearing lock nut, lock
washer, wheel bearing adjusting nut, thrust washer and outer wheel bearing. See Fig. 1 . Remove axle hub
with brake disc and inner wheel bearing.
4. Remove oil seal and inner wheel bearing from axle hub (if necessary). Drive bearing races from axle hub
(if replacement is required). Remove dust cover/spindle bolts. Remove dust seal, gasket and dust cover.
5. Using brass drift and hammer, tap spindle from steering knuckle. Remove gasket. Position flat area on
outer end of front axle shaft facing upward.
6. Remove front axle shaft from axle housing. Remove oil seal from axle housing. Remove bushing from
inside of spindle (if necessary). If necessary to disassemble front axle shaft, see FRONT AXLE SHAFT
OVERHAUL under OVERHAUL.
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

Fig. 1: Identifying Front Axle Shaft & Components
Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC.
Installation
1. Using Seal Installer (SST 09618-60010), install NEW oil seal into axle housing. Install NEW bushing
into spindle (if removed).
2. Position flat area on outer end of front axle shaft facing upward. Install front axle shaft. Pack cavity of
steering knuckle with grease so cavity is about 3/4 full with grease. Install NEW gasket on steering
knuckle.
3. Install spindle on steering knuckle. Install dust cover, NEW gasket and dust seal on steering knuckle.
Install and tighten dust cover/spindle bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
4. Pack inner and outer wheel bearings with grease. Coat inside of axle hub with grease. Install inner wheel
bearing and NEW oil seal on axle hub. Lightly coat lip of oil seal with grease.
5. Install axle hub with brake disc on spindle. Install outer wheel bearing and thrust washer. Install and
tighten wheel bearing adjusting nut to 43 ft. lbs. (58 N.m). Rotate axle hub several times in each
direction. Retighten wheel bearing adjusting nut to 43 ft. lbs. (58 N.m). Loosen wheel bearing adjusting
nut until nut is finger tight.
6. Using spring scale attached to wheel lug nut stud, check wheel bearing preload by measuring torque
required to start rotation of axle hub. Wheel bearing preload should be 6.2-12.6 lbs. (2.8-5.7 kg).
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

7. Install NEW lock washer. Install wheel bearing lock nut. Tighten wheel bearing lock nut to 47 ft. lbs. (64
N.m). Recheck wheel bearing preload, ensuring wheel bearing preload is 6.2-12.6 lbs. (2.8-5.7 kg). If
wheel bearing preload is not within specification, adjust bearing preload by tightening or loosening wheel
bearing adjusting nut.
8. Once correct wheel bearing preload is obtained, bend one tab on lock washer inward and another tab
outward. Apply grease on splines at end of front axle shaft.
9. Using NEW gasket, install flange hub, cone washers and washers. Install and tighten flange hub nuts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install bolt in end of front axle shaft. Pull front axle
shaft outward far enough for installation of snap ring. Install snap ring on end of front axle shaft.
10. Remove bolt from end of front axle shaft. Install grease cap. To install remaining components, reverse
removal procedure. Use NEW gaskets when installing brakeline on brake caliper.
11. On models equipped with Electronic Locking Differential (ELD), ensure bleeder plug at point of bleeder
tube, located inside of engine compartment, is not damaged. Tighten bolts/nuts to specification. Bleed
brake system. See appropriate BRAKE SYSTEM article in BRAKES.
STEERING KNUCKLE
Removal
1. Remove front axle shaft. See FRONT AXLE SHAFT R & I under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
Disconnect tie rod end from knuckle arm. See Fig. 1 . Remove bolts and oil seal end retainer from rear of
steering kn uckle. Remove knuckle arm and bearing cap bolts/nuts from steering knuckle.
2. Using Bearing Remover/Installer (SST 09606-60020), press bearing cap, shims and knuckle arm from
steering knuckle. See Fig. 2 .
3. Remove upper and lower bearings from steering knuckle. Note location of shims and both bearings for
reassembly reference. Remove steering knuckle from axle housing.
4. Remove bearing races from end of axle housing (if necessary). Remove oil seal for front axle shaft from
end of axle housing.
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

Fig. 2: Removing Steering Knuckle
Installation
1. Install NEW bearing races in end of axle housing (if removed). Install NEW oil seal for front axle shaft in
end of axle housing. Ensure oil seal end retainer is installed on axle housing.
2. Install oil seal set on axle housing. Oil seal set should be installed on axle housing in following sequence:
felt dust seal, rubber seal and then steel ring.
3. Pack upper and lower bearings with molybdenum disulfide lithium based grease. Position bearings in
original location on steering knuckle. Install steering knuckle on axle housing. Using bearing
remover/installer, support bearing race for upper bearing.
4. Install shims and bearing cap. Using hammer, tap bearing cap into bearing race. Using bearing
remover/installer, support bearing race for lower bearing.
5. Install knuckle arm on bottom of steering knuckle. Using hammer, tap knuckle arm into bearing race for
lower bearing. Remove bearing remover from steering knuckle.
6. Install cone washers, washers and nuts on knuckle arm. Install washers and bolts on bearing cap. Tighten
bolts/nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
7. Using spring scale attached to tie rod end opening on knuckle arm, measure steering knuckle bearing
preload required to start rotation of steering knuckle. Steering knuckle bearing preload should be 5.6-9.9
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

lbs. (2.5-4.5 kg).
8. If bearing preload is not within specification, adjust bearing preload by increasing or decreasing thickness
of shim(s). Shims are available in thickness of .004" (0.10 mm), .008" (0.20 mm), .020" (0.50 mm)
and .039" (1.00 mm).
9. Once correct bearing preload is obtained, install bolts in oil seal end retainer. To install remaining
components, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts/nuts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .
REAR AXLE SHAFT
Removal & Installation
1. Raise and support vehicle. Drain differential gear oil. Remove 6 nuts and plate washers from axle shaft
end. See Fig. 3 . Using brass drift and hammer, strike center of axle shaft to loosen and remove cone
washers.
2. Install 2 bolts in threaded holes provided on axle shaft end. Tighten each bolt evenly, and remove axle
shaft. Remove and discard axle shaft gasket.
3. Using dial indicator, check rear axle shaft runout at center of rear axle shaft. Replace rear axle shaft if
runout exceeds .031" (0.80 mm). Using slide hammer, remove oil seal.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS . Fill differential with gear oil. See DIFFERENTIAL FLUID CAPACITY table
under LUBRICATION.
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

Fig. 3: Exploded View Of Rear Hub & Axle Shaft Assembly
REAR HUB ASSEMBLY, OIL SEAL & BEARING
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

Removal
1. Remove rear wheels. Remove rear axle shaft. See REAR AXLE SHAFT. Remove brake caliper and wire
aside. Remove brake rotor and rear ABS speed sensor. Remove axle bearing lock nut screws and lock nut.
See Fig. 3 . Remove lock nut plate and outer bearing. Remove axle hub.
2. Place axle hub in a vise. Using side hammer, remove oil seal and inner bearing from hub. Using a brass
drift and hammer, remove both outer and inner bearing outer races. DO NOT damage ABS speed sensor
rotor.
Installation
1. Using press, press in NEW outer races. Pack NEW outer and inner bearings with multipurpose grease.
Coat inside of hub with multipurpose grease.
2. Install inner bearing and NEW oil seal. Coat lip of oil seal with grease. Install hub and outer bearing.
Install lock nut plate and lock nut. Install rotor and temporarily install 2 hub nuts.
3. Torque bearing lock nut to 43 ft. lbs (58 N.m). Turn hub several times to set bearings. Re-torque bearing
lock nut to specification. Loosen lock nut until it can be turned be hand.
4. Using a spring tension gauge, check preload and tighten lock nut until preload is 5.7-12.8 lbs. (2.6-5.8
kg). Ensure parking brake is completely disengaged. Align marks on bearing lock nut and end of axle
housing. See Fig. 4 . Ensure lock nut preload is still within specification.
5. Check distance between end surface of axle housing and lock nut. See Fig. 5 . Distance should be .008-
.035" (0.20-0.90 mm). If distance is greater than specified, go back to step 3) and readjust lock nut. If
distance is not greater than specified, go to next step.
6. Ensure that hub and rotor rotate smoothly and hub has no axial play. Install bearing lock nut screws. To
install remaining components, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts/nuts to specification. Fill
differential with gear oil. Check ABS speed sensor signal.
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

Fig. 4: Aligning Bearing Lock Nut & Axle Housing (Rear Hub Assembly)
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

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Fig. 5: Checking Distance Between Surface Of Axle Housing & Lock Nut (Rear Hub Assembly)
DRIVE SHAFTS
Removal & Installation (Front & Rear)
1. Place reference marks on front drive shaft companion flange and front differential for reassembly
reference. Place reference marks on front drive shaft companion flange and transfer case. Remove drive
shaft companion flange bolts/nuts from front drive shaft. Remove front drive shaft.
2. Place reference marks on rear drive shaft companion flange and rear differential for reassembly reference.
Place reference marks on rear drive shaft companion flange and transfer case. Remove drive shaft
companion flange bolts/nuts from front drive shaft. Remove rear drive shaft.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure reference marks are aligned. Tighten bolt/nuts to
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
PINION FLANGE & OIL SEAL
Removal (Front & Rear Differentials)
1. Drain differential oil. Disconnect front or rear drive shaft-to-differential companion flanges. See DRIVE
SHAFTS . Wire drive shaft aside.
2. Using hammer and chisel, loosen staked area on drive pinion nut. Remove drive pinion nut and washer (if
equipped).
3. Using puller, remove companion flange from drive pinion. Using puller, remove oil seal from differential
carrier. Note direction of oil slinger installation (if equipped). Remove oil slinger. Using puller, remove
front bearing from drive pinion.
4. Using slide hammer, remove bearing race for front bearing from differential carrier. On front
differentials, remove oil storage ring, located on front side of spacer on drive pinion.
5. On all models, remove and discard spacer from drive pinion. See Fig. 6 .
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

Fig. 6: Exploded View Of Typical 2 & 4-Pinion Type Differential Assembly Without ELD (Front Shown;
Rear Is Similar)
Installation
1. Install NEW spacer on drive pinion. On front differentials, drive NEW oil storage ring onto front side of
drive pinion spacer. Ensure oil slinger is installed with concave side facing toward front bearing.
2. Install NEW oil seal to correct depth in differential carrier. Correct depth is .039" (1.00 mm). Apply
grease on lip of oil seal. Apply grease to threads of NEW drive pinion nut.
3. Tighten drive pinion nut to MINIMUM specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Using
NOTE: Always replace spacer whenever drive pinion nut is loosened or removed.
1997 Lexus LX 450
Microsoft

1997 lexus lx 450 (lx450) service repair manual

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