Steering - Notchy Feel At Highway Speeds
L-SB-0015-11March 23, 2011
Notchy Steering Feel at Highway Speeds (4WD)
Service Category
Steering
Section
Steering Gear/Linkage
Market
USA
Applicability
Introduction
Some Lexus vehicles may exhibit an intermittent non-binding notchy steering feeling and/or the steering wheel does not smoothly self-center when driving at highway speeds. This condition may occur when changing lanes or when coming out of long sweeping turns at highway speeds. Please use the following repair procedure to address this condition.
Production Change Information
This TSIB applies to all 2006 model year G5300 vehicles and to vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown.
Parts Information
Warranty Information
^ 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 occurrence of the specified condition described in this bulletin.
Required Tools & Equipment
Repair Procedure
1. Conduct a road test to verify the steering feel condition.
Did the steering exhibit a condition of an intermittent non-binding notchy steering feeling and/or steering wheel not smoothly self-centering when driving at highway speeds?
^ YES - This TSIB DOES apply.
Go to Step 2 for power steering gear assembly replacement.
^ NO - This TSIB does NOT apply. Refer to the applicable Repair Manual for diagnosis.
2. Secure the front wheels in a straight ahead position.
A. Place the front wheels in a straight-ahead position and center the steering wheel.
B. Center and secure the steering wheel. This will prevent the steering wheel from rotating and damaging the spiral cable.
3. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Remove the front wheels.
5. Remove the engine under covers.
6. Remove the cool air intake duct seal.
7. Remove the engine room front and side covers.
8. Loosen the front shock absorber assembly.
A. Loosen the three front shock absorber assembly nuts but Do Not remove.
B. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
9. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wire.
A. Disconnect the connector.
B. Remove the three bolts.
C. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
10. Separate the front height control sensor link sub-assembly.
A. Remove the nut and separate the height control sensor link.
B. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
11. Separate the front lower ball joint assembly.
A. Remove the two bolts and separate the front lower ball joint assembly
B. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
12. Separate the tie rod assembly.
A. Remove the clip and nut.
NOTICE
Dispose of OLD clip as it is a non-reusable part.
B. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
C. Using SST 09628-00011, separate the tie rod from the steering knuckle.
D. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
NOTICE
^ Hang the SST with the tether to prevent it from falling.
^ DO NOT damage the disc brake dust cover.
^ DO NOT damage the ball joint dust boot.
DO NOT damage the steering knuckle.
13. Separate the front stabilizer link assembly.
A. Remove the nut and separate the front stabilizer link assembly.
B. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
14. Remove the front shock absorber bracket.
A. Remove the nut and plate.
B. Remove the bolt and remove front shock absorber bracket.
C. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
15. Separate the steering intermediate shaft assembly No.2.
A. Remove the bolt.
B. Separate the steering intermediate shaft assembly No.2.
16. Remove power steering link assembly.
A. Remove bolt (A) and the power steering ground wire from the power steering link assembly.
B. Remove bolt (B) to disconnect the ground wire from the bracket.
C. Remove bolt (C) and the bracket.
D. Disconnect two connectors (D) and (E) from the power steering link assembly.
E. Unlock and raise the lock for connector (F) as illustrated and disconnect the wire harness.
F. Remove the two bolts and nuts for the EPS assembly.
G. Using a screw jack or another similar device support the rear of the vehicle at the rear differential.
H. Position two blocks of wood as shown in the illustration and set the transmission jack.
NOTICE
Position the attachment so that the jack supports the engine oil pan and the sub-frame can be lowered.
I. Remove the four engine mount nuts for both engine mounts as shown in the illustration.
J. Mark the head of the attachment bolts on the backside of the front frame assembly.
K. Raise the transmission jack until both of the engine mounts lift off the front suspension cross member.
L. Remove the 4 bolts from the side rail plates.
M. Loosen the two nuts of the front suspension cross member.
N. Using the markings loosen the two bolts five turns.
0. Remove the four bolts and the two stabilizer bar brackets.
P. Remove the front stabilizer bar in the direction illustrated.
Q. Remove the power steering gear assembly in the direction shown in the illustration.
17. Degrease the tie rod ends EPS spline and cross member to EPS bolt contact surface.
NOTICE
Failure to degrease these components will prevent the proper amount of torque from being applied to their related attachment hardware.
18. Install the NEW power steering gear assembly by carefully inserting it into the position from the left side of the vehicle.
19. Install the AWD EPS components in the reverse order of removal. Please note that the torque specifications are included in Figures 25 and 26.
20. Inspect and adjust wheel alignment.
21. Initialize rotation angle sensor and calibrate torque sensor zero point.
For complete initialization procedures refer to TIS applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
22. After the repair is complete road test the vehicle to confirm the notchy steering feel condition is NO longer present.