OEM 2002 Toyota Highlander Camshaft

2002 Toyota Highlander Camshaft Parts Q&A

• Q: How to replace the camshaft (RH) on 2002 Toyota Highlander?

  A: To replace the camshaft (RH), begin by draining the coolant and removing the V-bank cover, front suspension brace sub-assembly upper center, air cleaner assembly with hose, intake air surge tank, ignition coil assembly, cylinder head cover sub-assembly, front wheel RH, front fender apron seal RH, V (cooler compressor to crankshaft pulley) belt No. 1, vane pump V belt, engine moving control rod, engine mounting stay No. 2 RH, generator bracket No. 2, and crankshaft pulley using Special Service Tool: 09213-54015 (91651-60855), 09330-00021, 09950-50013 (09951-05010, 09952-05010, 09953-05010, 09954-05030). Special Service Tool: 09960-10010 (09962-01000, 09963-01000) and 09249-63010 should be used to remove the bolts from both RH and LH timing pulleys after removing timing belt No. 1 cover, timing belt No. 2 cover, transverse engine mounting bracket, timing belt guide No. 2, timing belt, timing belt idler sub-assembly No. 2, and camshaft timing pulley. Hold the camshaft at level position during extraction to avoid damage then match timing marks between drive and driven gears before fixing the exhaust camshaft sub-gear to main gear with a service bolt torqued to 5.4 Nm while you should loosen and remove bearing cap bolts in a specific order to release the camshaft. Perform the same procedure to remove the No. 2 camshaft while also taking out the oil seal afterward. Install a hexagon wrench head into a vise to begin removal of the lock nut using a 46 mm socket wrench (turn it counterclockwise because it has LH threads). Then remove the camshaft VVT-i from the gear without disturbing its 3 bolts. Attach the camshaft by first positioning the knock pin within the groove before putting oil on both surfaces then tightening the new locking nut to 150 plus or minus 5 Nm. The sub-gear process must be completed first followed by the new No. 2 camshaft installation and the sub-gear install steps with correct alignment and torque requirements. Position the No. 2 camshaft level before applying fresh engine oil on the bearing caps then torquing them to 16 Nm. Next install the timing belt No. 3 cover while inspecting its gasket (replace if damaged) then apply necessary belt seal packing before placing the camshaft timing pulley (torque to 125 Nm for both RH and LH pulleys), timing belt idler sub-assembly No. 2 (torque 43 Nm) followed by timing belt installation. The repair process includes reinstalling the transverse engine mounting bracket with 28 Nm torque then continuing with timing belt No. 2 cover followed by timing belt No. 1 cover and crankshaft pulley installation using Special Service Tool: 09213-54015 (91651-60855), 09330-00021 as well as generator bracket No. 2 with 28 Nm torque alongside engine mounting stay No. 2 RH and engine moving control rod. Finally, inspect and adjust valve clearance using Special Service Tool: 09248-55040 (09248-05410, 09248-05420), install the vane pump V belt, V (cooler compressor to crankshaft pulley) belt No. 1, inspect drive belt deflection and tension, and reinstall the cylinder head cover sub-assembly, ignition coil assembly (torque: 8.0 Nm), intake air surge tank, air cleaner assembly with hose, connect the vacuum hose, reinstall the front suspension brace sub-assembly upper center (torque: 80 Nm), V-bank cover, front wheel RH (torque: 103 Nm), add coolant, and inspect for leaks.