I've seen this in my maintenance schedule but I'd doubt it's been done in a LONG time - how important is this and has anyone paid to have it done separately? if so, how much??

THanks

 

It is a simple procedure to check the bolts on the drive-shaft. Not a biggie.

 

I recall my manual indicating that procedure was only noted for the GS and IS, not the LS.

 

I had it done once by the dealer at 25k miles..now have 35k.

 

Last I looked the manual says do it every 5k... i'll check again as I plan to do mine this weekend... rear wheels off the ground, transmission in neutral to rotate the drive shaft for each bolt... 58ft/lb is the torque value.

 

Jack up the rear differential to get the wheels off the ground (use jack stands of course to support vehicle on the lift points on each side of rear frame). On the rear diff coupling, I had to take off a heat shield (2 - 10mm bolts easy) and then you could use a 17MM torque wrench and spanner to hold the other side... only one needed tightening a tad. I cannot see a way to get a torque wrench to the bolts on the transmission side as the Y-pipe collector does not provide much room... I saw no tooling marks on any bolts up there so it's safe to say no Lexus dealer has ever put a wrench on em even though they did all factory 5K services up to 45k before I bought her... so they must ignore these too.

I tightened my subframe bolts while I was under there and was surprised 3 rear subframe bolts needed tightening... they are rubber mounted so maybe that makes sense as the rubber degrades? Rears (22mm I think, 133lb/ft), fronts by steering rack (28mm,130lb/ft), other two Fronts (28mm, 116lb/ft). I recommend you check this if you are under there and have the torque wrench.

Happy tightening!

 

thanks for the replies - as always, everyone's informative and helpful!

 

Just had a 92 SC400 in with 425km's on it, both rear axles were loose and had bolts missing on flanges to diff. I know the service schedule says to tighten every 96km's. I had done this once or twice before and never found any loose, six 10mm allen key bolts per axle they are pretty secure usually, but I guess at 425k they should have been checked earlier. Tightened up the loose ones and replaced the missing ones and it is good for another 400k...