Lexus SC300 / Lexus SC400. Manual - part 954

SUSPENSION BALL JOINT INSPECTION – PG012-02

October 11, 2002

Page 2 of 5

MODEL

LOCATION

LOWER BALL JOINT OR SUSPENSION

BALL JOINT

UPPER BALL JOINT

MODEL

LOCATION

INSP.

METHOD

MAX. PLAY

TURNING

TORQUE

INSP.

METHOD

MAX. PLAY

TURNING

TORQUE

LS 400

(UCF10)

Front

1–(A)

0.016 in.

(0.4) mm

4 in.

S

lbf

(0.5 N

S

m)

or Less

(UCF10)

1990–1994

Rear

3

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

LS 400

(UCF20)

Front

1–(A)

0.016 in.

(0.4) mm

22 in.

S

lbf

(2.5 N

S

m)

or Less

(UCF20)

1995–2000

Rear

3

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

LS 430

(UCF30)

Front

1–(A)

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

(UCF30)

2001–2003

Rear

3

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

GS 300

(JZS147)

Front

1–(A)

0.016 in.

(0.4) mm

27 in.

S

lbf

(3.0 N

S

m)

or Less

2

No Play

31 in.

S

lbf

(3 5 N

S

m)

(JZS147)

1993–1997

Rear

1–(A)

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

2

No Play

Felt

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

GS 300, 400,

430

(JZS16#

Front

1–(A)

0.016 in.

(0.4) mm

27 in.

S

lbf

(3.0 N

S

m)

or Less

(JZS16#,

UZS16#)

1998–2003

Rear

3

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

SC 300, 400

(JZZ31,

Front

1–(A)

0.016 in.

(0.4) mm

27 in.

S

lbf

(3.0 N

S

m)

or Less

(JZZ31,
UZZ30)

1992–2000

Rear

1–(A)

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

SC 430

(UZZ40)

Front

1–(A)

0.016 in.

(0.4) mm

27 in.

S

lbf

(3.0 N

S

m)

or Less

(UZZ40)

2002–2003

Rear

3

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

Inspection

Information

Table

SUSPENSION BALL JOINT INSPECTION – PG012-02

October 11, 2002

Page 3 of 5

MODEL

LOCATION

LOWER BALL JOINT OR SUSPENSION

BALL JOINT

UPPER BALL JOINT

MODEL

LOCATION

INSP.

METHOD

MAX. PLAY

TURNING

TORQUE

INSP.

METHOD

MAX. PLAY

TURNING

TORQUE

IS 300

(JCE10)

Front

1–(A)

0.016 in.

(0.4) mm

27 in.

S

lbf

(3.0 N

S

m)

or Less

2

No Play

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

(JCE10)

2001–2003

Rear

3

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

2

No Play

Felt

27 in.

S

lbf

(3.0 N

S

m)

or Less

RX 300

(MCU10, 15)

1999 2003

Front

1–(B)

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

N/A

N/A

N/A

1999–2003

Rear

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

ES 250 & 300

(VZV21,

MCV20, 30)

Front

1–(B)

No Play

Felt

31 in.

S

lbf

(3.5 N

S

m)

or Less

N/A

N/A

N/A

MCV20, 30)

1990–2003

Rear

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

LX 470

(UZJ100)

1998 2003

Front

1–(A)

No Play

Felt

27 in.

S

lbf

(3.0 N

S

m)

or Less

2

No Play

Felt

40 in.

S

lbf

(4.5 N

S

m)

or Less

1998–2003

Rear

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

NOTE:

S

Be sure to check the table for the
applicable inspection type based on
the vehicle model.

S

Refer to the table for the standard
free play values.

1. Inspect Lower Ball Joint Free Play

A. Move the hub up and down by

hand (Most models with
wish–bone suspension):

a. Remove the tire.

b. Install the 2 lug nuts.

c. Inspect the free play while

moving the lug nuts up and
down at a force of 67 lbf 
(294 N, 30 kgf).

Inspection

Information

Table

(Continued)

Free Play

Inspection

SUSPENSION BALL JOINT INSPECTION – PG012-02

October 11, 2002

Page 4 of 5

B. Move the lower arm by hand (All

models with strut type suspension
and some models with wish–bone
type suspension):

a. Lift up the vehicle.

b. Inspect the free play while

moving the lower arm up and
down at a force of 67 lbf  
(294 N, 30 kgf).

2. Inspect Upper Ball Joint Play

Move the upper arm by hand (Models
where the LOWER control arm are
linked by a torsion bar, and all models
using a coil spring.

A. Remove the front tire.

B. Inspect the free play while moving

the upper arm up and down at a
force of  67 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf).

3. Inspect the Suspension Arm Ball

Joint Free Play

A. Lift up the vehicle.

B. Inspect the free play while moving

the control arm by hand.

(Reference)

Free Play Inspection Method
(Gauge Installation)

S

Position the dial gauge between the
arm (upper or lower) and the knuckle,
and measure free play. 
(This illustration shows how to
measure free play for vehicles with
double wishbone type suspension
with coil spring).

Inspect Ball Joint Dust Cover
Check for cracks and grease leaks on the
dust cover (boots).

Free Play

Inspection

(Continued)

SUSPENSION BALL JOINT INSPECTION – PG012-02

October 11, 2002

Page 5 of 5

Inspect Ball Joint Turning Torque
Move the stud back and forth 5 times,
then turn the stud continuously at 3–5
seconds per turn, and measure the
turning torque at the 5th turn.

HINT:

Refer to the table for standard values
for the turning torque.

Turning

Torque

Inspection