PROPELLER SHAFT

TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PR–1
PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . PR–2
 PR–1
PROPELLER SHAFT – TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING
PR00H–02

PROBLEM SYMPTOMS TABLE

Use the table below to help you find the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate the priority of the likely
cause of the problem. Check each part in order. If necessary, replace these parts.
Symptom Suspect Area See page
4. Sleeve yoke spline (Worn) PR–5
Noise 5. Center support bearing (Worn) PR–5
6. Spider bearing (Worn or stuck) PR–5
1. Propeller and intermediate shafts (Runout) PR–5
2. Propeller shafts (Imbalance) PR–5
3. Front flange (Runout) PR–5
Vibration
4. Rear flange (Runout) PR–5
5. Cross groove joint (Stuck or damaged) PR–5
6. Sleeve yoke spline (Stuck) PR–5

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

PR–2
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

PR00I–02

COMPONENTS

74 (750, 54)

Front Propeller Shaft

z Dust Cover

1st: 181 (1,850, 134)

z 2nd: 69 (700, 51)
Rear Center Support
Bearing
Adjusting Shim
Front Center Support
Bearing
Plate Washer Adjusting Shim

Front Flange Plate

Washer
Rear Flange

Plate Washer
Intermediate Shaft 37 (375, 27)

Plate
Washer
37 (375, 27)
1st: 181 (1,850, 134)
z Rear Propeller Shaft
2nd: 69 (700, 51)

x6
x2 74 (750, 54)
27 (275, 20)

Washer
N·m (kgf·cm, ft·lbf) : Specified torque
z Non–reusable part
D03193

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

 PR–3
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
PR00J–02

Matchmarks REMOVAL
1. REMOVE FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT
(a) Place the matchmarks on both the flanges.
(b) Remove the 4 nuts, bolts and washers.

Q05745

(c) Remove the front propeller shaft assembly.

SST NOTICE:
Be careful not to damage the oil seal.
(d) Insert SST in the transfer to prevent oil leakage.
SST 09325–20010

Q05746

2. LOOSEN CROSS GROOVE JOINT SET BOLT

(a) Depress the brake pedal and hold it.
(b) Using a hexagon wrench, loosen the cross groove joint
set bolts 1/2 turn.
HINT:
Put a piece of cloth or equivalent into the inside of the universal
joint cover so that the boot does not touch the inside of the uni-
versal joint cover.
Q07974

3. REMOVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REAR PRO-

Matchmarks PELLER SHAFT
(a) Place the matchmarks on both the flanges.
(b) Remove the 4 nuts, bolts and washers.

Q07985

(c) Remove the 4 bolts, shims and intermediate shaft with the
rear propeller shaft assembly.

Q07984

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

PR–4
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

4. SEPARATE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REAR PRO-

PELLER SHAFT
(a) Place the matchmarks on the joint and flange.
NOTICE:
Do not make matchmarks with a punch.
(b) Using a hexagon wrench, remove the 6 bolts and 2 wash-
ers and separate the intermediate shaft from the rear pro-
Matchmarks peller shaft.
D03194

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

 PR–5
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
PR00K–03

INSPECTION
NOTICE:
Be careful not to grip the propeller shaft tube too tightly in
a vise as this will cause deformation.
1. INSPECT PROPELLER SHAFT AND INTERMEDIATE
SHAFT RUNOUT
Using a dial indicator, inspect the runout of each shaft.
Maximum runout: 0.8 mm (0.031 in.)
Q07981
If the shaft runout exceeds the maximum, replace the shaft.

2. INSPECT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FLANGE RUNOUT

(a) Using a dial indicator, inspect the front side of the inter-
mediate shaft flange runout.
Maximum runout: 0.1 mm (0.004 in.)

Q08016

(b) Using a dial indicator, inspect the rear side of the inter-
mediate shaft flange runout in the horizontal direction.
Maximum runout: 0.1 mm (0.004 in.)

Q08018

(c) Using a dial indicator, inspect the rear side of the inter-
mediate shaft flange runout in the vertical direction.
Maximum runout: 0.1 mm (0.004 in.)
If the intermediate shaft flange runout exceeds the maximum,
replace the intermediate shaft.

Q08017

3. INSPECT SPIDER BEARINGS

Check the spider bearing axial play by turning the flange while
holding the shaft tightly.
If necessary, replace the shaft.

Q07980

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

PR–6
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

4. INSPECT CROSS GROOVE JOINT

(a) Check that the joint turns smoothly in all directions, as
shown in the illustration.
(b) Check for cracks, damage and grease leaking from the
boot.
If a problem is found, replace the rear propeller shaft.

PR0327

5. INSPECT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING

SST (a) Remove the rear center support bearing.
(1) Using a hammer and chisel, loosen the staked part
of the nut.
(2) Using SST to hold the front flange, remove the nut
and plate washer.
SST 09330–00021

Q08030

(3) Place the matchmarks on the rear flange and shaft.

Matchmarks
(4) Using SST, remove the rear flange.
SST 09950–40011 (09951–04020, 09952–04010,
09953–04030, 09954–04010, 09955–04061,
09957–04010, 09958–04011)
SST (5) Remove the rear center support bearing and plate
washer.

Q07979

(b) Remove the front support bearing.

SST (1) Using a hammer and chisel, loosen the staked part
of the nut.
(2) Using SST to hold the flange, remove the nut and
plate washer.
SST 09330–00021

PR0333

(3) Place the matchmarks on the flange and shaft.

(4) Using SST, remove the flange.
SST
SST 09950–40011 (09951–04020, 09952–04010,
09953–04030, 09954–04010, 09955–04061,
09957–04010, 09958–04011)
Matchmarks (5) Remove the front center support bearing and plate
washer.

D03195

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

 PR–7
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

(c) Inspect the front and rear center support bearings.

(1) Turn the bearing by hand. Check that it turns
smoothly.
(2) Check that there are no cracks and no damage to
the seals.
If the bearing is damaged, worn, or does not turn freely, replace
it.

PR0336

(d) Install the front center support bearing.

(1) Set the front center support bearing on the inter-
mediate shaft, as shown in the illustration.

Front

D03196

(2) Install the plate washer to the intermediate shaft.

(3) Align the matchmarks on the flange and shaft and
place the flange on the shaft.
Matchmarks
(4) Using SST to hold the flange, press the center sup-
port bearing into position by tightening down a new
nut and washer.
SST 09330–00021
SST
Torque: 181 N·m (1,850 kgf·cm, 134 ft·lbf)
Q07977 (5) Loosen the nut.
(6) Torque the nut again.
Torque: 69 N·m (700 kgf·cm, 51 ft·lbf)
(7) Using a hammer and chisel, stake the nut.

(e) Install the rear center support bearing.

(1) Set the rear center support bearing on the inter-
mediate shaft, as shown in the illustration.

Rear

D03197

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

PR–8
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

SST Matchmarks (2) Install the plate washer to the intermediate shaft.
(3) Align the matchmarks on the flange and shaft and
place the flange on the shaft.
(4) Using SST to hold the flange, press the center sup-
port bearing into position by tightening down a new
nut and washer.
SST 09330–00021
Torque: 181 N·m (1,850 kgf·cm, 134 ft·lbf)
Q08029 (5) Loosen the nut.
(6) Torque the nut again.
Torque: 69 N·m (700 kgf·cm, 51 ft·lbf)
(7) Using a hammer and chisel, stake the nut.
(f) Inspect the cross groove joint (See step 4).

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

 PR–9
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
PR03X–01

REPLACEMENT
NOTICE:
Be careful not to grip the propeller shaft tube too tightly in
a vise as this will cause deformation.
REPLACE DUST COVER
(a) Using a screwdriver and hammer, remove the dust cover.

Q08048

(b) Using SST and a press, press in a new dust cover.

SST 09316–60011 (09316–00011)
NOTICE:
Be careful not to damage the dust cover.
SST

D03198

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

PR–10
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
PR03Y–01

INSTALLATION
1. CONNECT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH REAR PRO-
PELLER SHAFT
(a) Align the matchmarks on the intermediate shaft rear
flange and cross groove joint, then install the 2 washers
and 6 bolts.
(b) Using a hexagon wrench, tighten the 6 bolts temporarily.
Matchmarks HINT:
D03199
Put a piece of cloth or equivalent into the inside of the universal
joint cover.
2. INSTALL CENTER SUPPORT BEARING TEMPORARI-
LY
3. INSTALL REAR PROPELLER SHAFT
(a) Align the matchmarks on both the flanges of the rear pro-
peller shaft and rear differential, and connect the shaft
with the 4 bolts, washers and nuts.
(b) Torque the bolts and nuts.
Torque: 74 N·m (750 kgf·cm, 54 ft·lbf)
4. INSTALL FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT
(a) Remove SST from the transfer.
SST 09325–20010
(b) Insert the yoke into the transfer.
(c) Align the matchmarks on both the flanges of the front pro-
peller shaft and intermediate shaft, then install and torque
the 4 bolts, washers and nuts.
Torque: 74 N·m (750 kgf·cm, 54 ft·lbf)
5. TIGHTEN CROSS GROOVE JOINT SET BOLT
(a) Depress the brake pedal and hold it.
(b) Using a hexagon wrench, tighten the cross groove joint
set bolts.
Torque: 27 N·m (275 kgf·cm, 20 ft·lbf)
6. CHECK THAT EACH JOINT OF PROPELLER SHAFT IS
FACING TO DIRECTION AS SHOWN IN BELOW IL-
LUSTRATION

D03200

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)

 PR–11
PROPELLER SHAFT – PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

7. INSTALL FRONT AND REAR CENTER SUPPORT

BEARING
(a) With the vehicle unloaded, adjust the dimension between
the rear side of the cover and shaft, as shown in the il-
lustration.

65.5 – 70.5 mm
(2.579 – 2.776 in.)
D03201

(b) Under the same condition as (a), adjust the front and rear
Front dimensions between edge surface of the center support
bearing and the edge surface of the cushion to 11.5 – 13.5
mm (0.4528 – 0.5315 in.) respectively as shown, then
torque the bolts.
Torque: 37 N·m (375 kgf·cm, 27 ft·lbf)
(c) Check that the center line of the bracket is at the right
angle in the shaft axial direction.
11.5 – 13.5 mm
(0.4528 – 0.5315 in.)
Rear

11.5 – 13.5 mm
(0.4528 – 0.5315 in.) D03202

LEXUS RX300 (RM785E)