2005 LEXUS ES300 tires

REPAIR MANUAL SUPPLEMENT: VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE ± ST004-01 RevisedDecember 21, 2001
Page 5 of 11
* Select a flat road where the vehicle can be driven in a straight line for 100 meters at a constant speed of
35 mph. Please confirm safety and set the steering wheel to its straight position. Drive the vehicle in a
straight line for 100 meters at a constant speed of 35 mph without exerting steering effort on the steering
wheel.
(1) The vehicle goes straight but the steering wheel has some angle. STEERING OFF CENTER
(2) The vehicle doesn't go straight. STEERING PULLYES
START
Preliminary Check
Tire Pressure
Vehicle height
Brake Dragging*ROAD TEST
Does the vehicle lead/pull?Is there steering
off center?COMPLETE
Adjust front tie rods.
See TSIB ST002±01
Are the tires uni±directional type?
Cross switch front tire and wheel
assemblies (left & right)ROAD TEST
Does the vehicle still lead/pull?
Does the vehicle lead/pull in the
same direction as before?
Is the lead/pull stronger
than before?
Reverse the front left side
tire and rebalance it.
ROAD TEST
Does the vehicle still lead/pull?
Increase left front camber and decrease right
front camber until lead/pull is eliminated.
Does the vehicle
lead/pull to the left?
ROAD TEST
Does the vehicle still lead/pull?
Increase right front camber and decrease left
front camber until lead/pull is eliminated.
Contact your regional office.
COMPLETE
Choose the position of front tire & wheel
assemblies where there is least amount of pull.
Check front wheel alignment.
Is it within specification?
ROAD TEST
Does the vehicle still lead/pull?
Adjust front wheel alignment.
NOTE: Do not exceed 1
of
cross camber.
Do not exceed adjustment range.
NO YES YES
YES
YES
YESNO
NO YES
NO NO YESNO YESYES YES
NONO NO
NO NO
Repair
Procedure
Flow Chart

REPAIR MANUAL SUPPLEMENT: VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE ± ST004-01 RevisedDecember 21, 2001
Page 6 of 11
1. IMPORTANT NOTICE
Before repairing vehicle pulling to one side, it is necessary to clearly identify the
cause of the pulling condition. Frequently, the cause of the vehicle pulling to one side
is diagnosed as wheel alignment. However, the actual cause may be lateral force
generated by the tires. Performing wheel alignment when tire force is the cause could
result in the wheel alignment being set at a value outside of specifications. This would
then cause other problems such as uneven tire wear, etc.
2. Troubleshooting
First determine whether vehicle pulling to one side is caused by a wheel alignment
problem or tire characteristics, then decide which repairs to make.
A. Perform the following checks and correct as necessary.
a. Check tires for size, wear and for proper inflation pressure.
b. Check whether the vehicle is noticeably tilted backward/forward or left/right.
NOTE:
Tilting of the vehicle produces a left±right difference in the camber and caster and can
cause vehicle pulling to one side.
c. Check brakes for dragging.
B. Confirm problem symptoms.
With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the
customer 's complaint involves vehicle pulling to one side or steering wheel off
center. If the problem is steering wheel off center, adjust the front tie rods on the
vehicle. Refer to Lexus TSIB ST002±01. Also check the direction of vehicle
pulling and the extent of the pulling.
C. Decide if vehicle pulling is due to wheel alignment or tires.
a. Switch the left and right front tires (If the tires are non±unidirectional).
b. Conduct a drive test to check whether the direction that the vehicle pulls has
changed.
SYMPTOMPROBABLE CAUSECORRECTIVE ACTION
No change in vehicle
pulling conditionFront wheel alignmentProceed to Repair Procedure 3. Vehicle pulling
caused by Wheel Alignment (Page 6)
Vehicle pulling
eliminatedTire conicityRepair complete. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire
Conicity (Page 3 and 6)
Vehicle pulling
direction is reversedTire conicityProceed to Repair Procedure 4. Vehicle Pulling
Caused by Tire Conicity (Page 7)
Repair
Procedures

REPAIR MANUAL SUPPLEMENT: VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE ± ST004-01 RevisedDecember 21, 2001
Page 7 of 11
Helpful hints to determine cause of vehicle pulling:
The direction of lateral force from tire conicity becomes reversed when the left and
right tires are switched. Therefore, if the pulling direction changes when the tires are
switched, it can be concluded that vehicle pulling is caused by tire conicity.
ORIGINAL TIRE POSITIONS TIRES SWITCHED
The Vehicle is Pulled to the Right by
the Lateral Force Exerted to the Right.The Direction of the Tires Which Exerted Lateral
Force to the Right has Been Changed, so the Tires
Now Exert Lateral Force to the Left and the Vehicle
Now Pulls to the Left. Vehicle Pulling
Direction (Right)Vehicle Pulling
Direction (Left)
Lateral Force by
ConicityLateral Force by
Conicity
If the pulling direction does not change after the front tires are switched, the cause of
vehicle pulling is not tire conicity. In this case, the likely cause is a front wheel
alignment condition.
3. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is
caused by wheel alignment, perform repairs according to the following procedure.
Vehicle Pulling to One Side
Check Front Wheel Alignment
Not Within SpecificationWithin Specification
Adjust Front Wheel Alignment
Vehicle Still Pulls
Road Test
Within Specification But
Vehicle Pulls
OK
Adjust Cross Camber to Eliminate Vehicle Pulling
NOTE: Do not exceed 1
of cross camber.
Repair
Procedures
(Continued)

REPAIR MANUAL SUPPLEMENT: VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE ± ST004-01 RevisedDecember 21, 2001
Page 8 of 11
WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFTWHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT
Increase right front camber and decrease left
front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminatedIncrease left front camber and decrease right
front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated
NOTE:
Keep the cross camber within 1
or less.
Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (+/±45' of center value).
If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.
4. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is
caused by tire conicity, perform repairs according to the following procedures.
Indication of Tire Conicity as a Cause:
When the front tires are switched, the pulling direction changes. Proceed to STEP 1.
STEP 1:
Remove the front left tire from the wheel and reverse the tire. Then perform a road
test and check for change in the pulling direction.
HINT:
By performing this operation, it can be checked whether the left or right tire exerts a
stronger lateral force. Either tire can be reversed. Shown here is an example of the left
tire reversed.
ORIGINAL TIRE POSITIONS
Vehicle Pulling
Direction
Lateral Force by
Conicity (Larger)
Lateral Force by
Conicity (Smaller) Lateral Force by
Conicity (Smaller)Lateral Force by
Conicity (Larger)
Vehicle Pulling Direction
(Same Direction)
Reversed
If Vehicle Pulls in the Same Direction: Go to STEP 2.
The lateral force generated by the right front tire is greater than the left tire, so
the vehicle is pulling due to the lateral force of the right tire.
LEFT TIRE REVERSE INSTALLATION
Repair
Procedures
(Continued)

REPAIR MANUAL SUPPLEMENT: VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE ± ST004-01 RevisedDecember 21, 2001
Page 9 of 11
ORIGINAL TIRE POSITIONS
LEFT TIRE REVERSE INSTALLATION
Vehicle Pulling
Direction
Lateral Force by
Conicity (Smaller)
Lateral Force by
Conicity (Larger) Lateral Force by
Conicity (Larger)Lateral Force by
Conicity (Smaller)
Vehicle Pulling
Direction
(Opposite Direction)
Reversed
If Vehicle Pulls in the Opposite Direction: Go to STEP 2.
The lateral force generated by the left front tire is greater than the right tire, so
the vehicle is pulling due to the lateral force of the left tire.
If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.
The lateral force generated by the left and right front tires is virtually the same, so the
lateral force is neutralized and the vehicle travels straight ahead. The repair operation
is now completed.
STEP 2:
Rotate the larger
lateral force front tire with the rear tire and check the change in the
vehicle pulling.
NOTE:
By shifting the front tire with the larger lateral force to the rear, the vehicle pulling
level is usually reduced.
If Vehicle Is Still Pulling: Go to STEP 3.
If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.
Repair
Procedures
(Continued)

REPAIR MANUAL SUPPLEMENT: VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE ± ST004-01 RevisedDecember 21, 2001
Page 10 of 11
STEP 3:
Adjust cross camber to eliminate vehicle pulling.
HINT:
If the tires are placed in the positions they were in during tire rotation when the least
amount of vehicle pulling occurred, wheel alignment can be performed with a minimal
amount of adjustment.
WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFTWHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT
Increase right front camber and decrease left
front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminatedIncrease left front camber and decrease right
front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated
NOTE:
Keep the cross camber within 1
or less.
Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (+/±45' of center value).
If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.
5. Camber Adjustment Method
NOTE:
After the camber has been adjusted,
inspect the toe±in.
NOTE:
The method of camber adjustment
differs for different models, so please
refer to the repair manual of the
vehicle involved. (This is a sample
from the RX 300 Repair Manual).
A. Remove the front wheels and
ABS speed sensor clamp.
B. Remove the two nuts on the lower
side of the shock absorber.
C. Coat the threads of the nuts with
engine oil.
D. Temporarily install the two nuts.
E. Adjust the camber by pushing or
pulling the lower side of the shock
absorber in the direction in which
the camber adjustment is
required.
F. Tighten the nuts.
Torque: 210 Nm
(2,150 kgfcm, 155 ftlbf)
Repair
Procedures
(Continued)
1
2

28009-17
R03031
F13676
Front (A) (B)
C80976
- TIRE & WHEELWHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM
28-1
2402 Author
: Date
:
2005 LEXUS ES330 REPAIR MANUAL (RM1124U)
WHEEL AND TIRE SYSTEM
INSPECTION
1. INSPECT TIRE
(a) Check the tires for wear and proper inflation pressure.
Cold tire inflation pressure:
Tire sizeFront, Rear
kPa (kgf/cm2, psi)
P215/60R16 94V200 (2.0, 29)
P215/55R17 93V210 (2.1, 30)
(b) Using a dial indicator, check the tire runout.
Tire runout: 1.0 mm (0.039 in.) or less
2. ROTATE TIRES
HINT:

Rotate tires as shown in illustration (A) if a spare tire is not
included in the rotation.

Rotate tires as shown in illuatration (B) if a spare tire is in-
cluded in the rotation.
3. INSPECT WHEEL BALANCE
(a) Check and adjust the Off-the-car balance.
(b) If necessary, check and adjust the On-the-car balance.
Imbalance after adjustment: 8.0 g (0.018 lb) or less
4. INSPECT BEARING LOOSENESS (SEE PAGE 30-2)
5. INSPECT AXLE HUB RUNOUT (SEE PAGE 30-2)