Maintenance repairs on 02 Lexus LS430 with over 250k miles.
Before I start is the transmission suppose to be in Park or Neutral??

 

It doesn't matter, but I would leave it in "P" to prevent the car from rolling. More importantly, don't forget to disconnect the battery negative cable before you start the timing belt replacement job.

 

 

Welcome aboard Busta;
Here's a great thread on how to do the timing belt.. Step by step..

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ent-ls430.html

 

I have not done this job myself (hope to someday), but from reading comments and watching the YouTube, I took away that it is important to rotate the cams so many degrees during the job, which I think locks them so when the belt is removed, they can't simply spin freely...my only words of wisdom lol good luck

 

97% Correct John...
Rotating the cams allows them to sit in a neutral position (where most of the valves are not under load) Not so much "Locking" them in place, because, as I found out, they will move quite easily, which gets a little scary...

 

And don't forget to reattach the negative cable back to the bottom bolt of the alternator when putting it all back together... Easy one to miss..... That one cost me a few minutes when it wouldn't start......