Lexus ES300 (1997 year). Manual - part 551

W03303

Matchmarks

SR–12

–

STEERING

TILT STEERING COLUMN

1308

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

3.

REMOVE UPPER AND LOWER COLUMN COVERS

(a)

Remove the lower No.2 cover from the lower cover.

(b)

Remove the 3 screws.

4.

REMOVE FRONT DOOR SCUFF INSIDE PLATE

5.

REMOVE COWL SIDE TRIM

Remove the clip.
6.

REMOVE No.1 LOWER PANEL

(a)

Remove the 2 screws.

(b)

Disconnect the hood lock control cable.

7.

REMOVE LOWER LH PANEL

Remove the 4 bolts.
8.

REMOVE LOWER FINISH PANEL

9.

REMOVE COMBINATION SWITCH WITH SPIRAL
CABLE

(a)

Disconnect the 3 connectors.

(b)

w/ ELECTRONIC MODULATED SUSPENSION
Disconnect the connector.

(c)

Disconnect the airbag connector.

(d)

Remove the 3 screws.

10.

REMOVE SPIRAL CABLE
(See page 

BE–26

)

NOTICE:
Do not disassemble the cable or apply oil to it.

11.

DISCONNECT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY

(a)

Place matchmarks on the intermediate shaft and control
valve shaft.

(b)

Remove the bolt.

12.

REMOVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY

Remove the bolt.
13.

REMOVE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY

(a)

Disconnect the connectors.

(b)

Remove the 4 column assembly set nuts.

SR05U–05

W03333

Screw Extractor

W03334

–

STEERING

TILT STEERING COLUMN

SR–13

1309

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

DISASSEMBLY

NOTICE:
When using a vise, do not overtighten it.
1.

REMOVE KEY CYLINDER LAMP ASSEMBLY

Remove the screw and lamp assembly.
2.

REMOVE COLUMN UPPER BRACKET AND COLUMN
UPPER CLAMP

(a)

Using a centering punch, mark the center of the 2 ta-
pered–head  bolts.

(b)

Using a 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in.) drill, drill into the 2 bolts.

(c)

Using a screw extractor, remove the 2 bolts.

3.

REMOVE TURN SIGNAL BRACKET

Remove the 2 bolts.
4.

REMOVE TILT LEVER RETURN SPRING

5.

REMOVE COLUMN TUBE SUPPORT

(a)

Remove the bolt and washer.

(b)

Remove the tube support with lower column tube attach-
ment.

(c)

Remove the tube attachment from the tube support.

6.

REMOVE 2 ENERGY ABSORBING PLATES

(a)

Using pliers, remove the energy absorbing clip.

(b)

Remove the energy absorbing plate, energy absorbing
plate guide.

SR05V–05

W03335

Ignition Key

W03336

Screwdriver

SR–14

–

STEERING

TILT STEERING COLUMN

1310

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

INSPECTION

1.

INSPECT STEERING LOCK OPERATION

Check that the steering lock mechanism operates properly.

2.

IF NECESSARY, REPLACE KEY CYLINDER

(a)

Place the ignition key at the ACC position.

(b)

Push down the stop pin with a screwdriver, and pull out
the cylinder.

(c)

Install a new cylinder.

HINT:
Make sure the key is at the ACC position.
3.

INSPECT IGNITION SWITCH
(See page 

BE–20

)

4.

IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH

(a)

Remove the 2 screws.

(b)

Install a new switch with the 2 screws.

5.

INSPECT KEY UNLOCK WARNING SWITCH
(See page 

BE–20

)

6.

IF NECESSARY, REPLACE KEY UNLOCK WARNING
SWITCH

(a)

Remove the 2 screws.

(b)

Install a new switch with the 2 screws.

7.

INSPECT KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID
(See page 

AX–17

)

8.

IF NECESSARY, REPLACE KEY INTERLOCK SOLE-
NOID

(a)

Remove the 2 screws.

(b)

Install a new solenoid with the 2 screws.

SR05W–05

W03347

W03337

–

STEERING

TILT STEERING COLUMN

SR–15

1311

1997 LEXUS ES300   (RM511U)

REASSEMBLY

NOTICE:
When using a vise, do not overtighten it.
1.

INSTALL 2 ENERGY ABSORBING PLATES

(a)

Install the energy absorbing plate guide and absorbing
plate.

(b)

Install the new energy absorbing clip.

2.

INSTALL COLUMN TUBE SUPPORT

(a)

Install the tube attachment to the tube support.

(b)

Torque the bolt and washer.
Torque: 19 N·m (195 kgf·cm, 14 ft·lbf)

3.

INSTALL TILT LEVER RETURN SPRING

4.

INSTALL TURN SIGNAL BRACKET

Torque the 2 bolts.

Torque: 7 N·m (70 kgf·cm, 61 in.·lbf)

5.

INSTALL COLUMN UPPER BRACKET AND COLUMN
UPPER CLAMP

Tighten the 2 new tapered–head bolts until the bolt heads break
off.
6.

INSTALL KEY CYLINDER LAMP ASSEMBLY

Install the lamp assembly with the screw.