On-Vehicle Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Lexus LS 430. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

INSPECT DRIVE BELT
1. Visually check the belt for excessive wear, frayed cords, etc.
  If any defect is found, replace the drive belt.
  
  HINT:
  
  Cracks on the rib side of a belt are considered acceptable. Replace the belt if there are any missing ribs.
  
  Fig 1: Checking Belt For Excessive Wear
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Correct And Wrong
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. CHECK FLUID LEVEL
1. Keep the vehicle level.
2. With the engine stopped, check the fluid level in the oil reservoir. If necessary, add fluid.
  Fluid: ATF DEXRON® II or III
  
  HINT:
  
  When hot, check that the fluid level is within the HOT LEVEL range on the reservoir.
  
  If the fluid is cold, check that it is within the COLD LEVEL range.
3. Start the engine and run at idle.
4. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to raise fluid temperature.
  Fluid temperature: 75 to 80°C (167 to 176°F)
  
  Fig 3: Checking Fluid Level In Oil Reservoir
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
5. Check for foaming or emulsification.
  If foaming or emulsification is identified, bleed air in the power steering system (see step 3).
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Normal And Abnormal Fluid
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
6. With the engine idling, measure the fluid level in the reservoir.
7. Stop the engine.
8. Wait a few minutes and measure the fluid level in the reservoir again.
  Maximum fluid level rise: 5 mm (0.20 in.) or less
  
  If the fluid level rise exceeds the maximum, bleed air in the power steering system (see step 3).
9. Check the fluid level.
  
  Fig 5: Measuring Fluid Level In Reservoir At Idling
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
BLEED AIR IN POWER STEERING SYSTEM
NOTE: If you replace or separate the components for power steering oil pressure line, bleed air in the power steering system after the operation.
1. Idle the engine at 1,000 RPM or less until bubbles in the fluid disappear. (Be sure not to turn the steering wheel.)
2. When the bubbles disappear, slowly turn the steering wheel from lock to lock 2 or 3 times.
3. Repeat procedures (a) and (b) until the fluid level in the reservoir becomes stable and bubbles disappear. If the fluid level goes below the MAX line, add fluid.
4. When the fluid level becomes stable, increase and decrease oil pressure 2 or 3 times for both left and right by turning the steering wheel to the full lock positions and jiggling it there.
5. Make sure that no bubbles exist in the reservoir. When turning the steering wheel quickly or turning it from lock to lock position, check that the steering wheel is not heavy to turn and there is no abnormal noise or vibration.
6. When there are fluid leaks or abnormalities after bleeding air, repair them and repeat procedures (a) to (e). If the abnormalities still exist, replace the related parts.
Fig 6: Identifying Normal And Abnormal Fluid
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
CHECK STEERING FLUID PRESSURE
1. Put a wrench on the pressure feed tube hose to secure it.
2. Put SST on the flare nut as shown in the illustration.
  SST 09023-12700
3. Joint a spinner handle to the SST.
  HINT:
  
  Use an extension bar or universal joint according to a situation.
4. Loosen and disconnect the pressure feed tube.
  
  Fig 7: Attaching SST
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
5. Connect SST, as shown in the illustration below.
  SST 09640-10010 (09641-01010, 09641-01030, 09641-01040)
  
  Fig 8: Connecting SST
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE: Check that the valve of the SST is in the open position.
6. Bleed air in the power steering system (see step 2).
7. Start the engine and run at idle.
8. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to raise fluid temperature.
  Fluid temperature: 75 to 80°C (167 to 176°F)
  
  Fig 9: Closing Valve Of SST At Engine Idling
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
9. With the engine idling, close the valve of the SST and observe the reading on the SST.
  Standard fluid pressure:
  
  8,336 to 8,826 kPa (85 to 90 kgf/cm ² , 1,209 to 1,280 psi)
  NOTE:
  - Do not keep the valve closed for more than 10 seconds.
  - Do not allow the fluid temperature to become too high.
    
    Fig 10: Fulling Open Valve At Engine Idling
    Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
10. With the engine idling, fully open the valve.
11. Measure the fluid pressure at engine speeds of 1,000 RPM and 3,000 RPM.
  Standard fluid pressure difference:
  
  490 kPa (5 kgf/cm ² , 71 psi) or less
  
  NOTE: Do not turn the steering wheel.
  
  If the observed value exceeds the standard, check the flow control valve.
12. With the engine idling and the valve fully opened, turn the steering wheel to the right or left full lock position.
  Standard fluid pressure:
  
  8,336 to 8,826 kPa (85 to 90 kgf/cm ² , 1,209 to 1,280 psi)
  NOTE:
  - Do not keep the steering wheel in the full lock position for more than 10 seconds.
  - Do not allow the fluid temperature to become too high.
13. Disconnect the SST.
  
  Fig 11: Opening Valve Fully At Idling And Turning Steering Wheel
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  SST 09640-10010 (09641-01010, 09641-01030, 09641-01040)
  
  Fig 12: Attaching SST
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
14. Connect the pressure feed tube.
15. Put a wrench on the pressure feed tube hose side to hold it.
16. Put SST on the flare nut as shown in the illustration on the left.
  SST 09023-12700
17. Using a torque wrench, tighten the flare nut.
  Torque: 40 N.m (410 kgf.cm, 30 ft.lbf)
  
  HINT:
  - Use a torque wrench with a fulcrum length of 345 mm (13.58 in.).
  - This torque value is effective when SST is parallel to the torque wrench.
18. Bleed air in the power steering system (see step 2).
  
  Fig 13: Removing Vacuum Hose Of Air Control Valve
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
CHECK AIR CONTROL VALVE
1. Turn the air conditioning switch off.
2. Start the engine and run at idle.
3. Fully turn the steering wheel assy.
4. Check the air control valve assy.
  1. Pinch the vacuum hose of the air control valve.
    Standard:
    
    The engine speed decreases.
  2. Release the vacuum hose of the air control valve.
    Standard:
    
    The engine speed increases.
  If engine speed does not change as specified, check and repair or replace the air control valve assy and vacuum hoses.
  
  If you replace the air control valve assy, tighten it to the specified torque.
  
  Torque: 31.4 to 41.2 N.m (320 to 420 kgf.cm, 23 to 30 ft.lbf)
CHECK STEERING EFFORT
1. Center the steering wheel assy.
2. Remove the horn button assy (see HORN SYSTEM ).
3. Start the engine and run at idle.
4. Measure the steering effort in both directions.
  Steering effort (Reference):
  
  6.9 N.m (70 kgf.cm, 61 in. lbf) or less
  
  HINT:
  
  Check tire type, pressure and road surface before making a diagnosis.
  
  Fig 14: Checking Steering Effort
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
5. Disconnect the PPS solenoid connector.
6. Measure steering effort in both directions.
  Standard:
  
  Steering effort is heavier than the reference values in procedure (d), and that the power assist is operating.
  
  If steering effort is not as specified, check the PPS solenoid valve (see PPS LINEAR SOLENOID CIRCUIT ).
7. Connect the PPS solenoid connector.
8. Check that the steering wheel assy set nut is tightened.
  Torque:50 N.m (510 kgf.cm, 37 ft.lbf)
9. Install the horn button assy (see HORN SYSTEM ).
  
  Fig 15: Disconnecting PPS Solenoid Connector
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002