LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Help with a power steering leak.......please!

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Old 04-13-12, 06:56 PM
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Sticka
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Default Help with a power steering leak.......please!

I have spent the last couple of weeks fixing lots of overdue repairs on my 96 LS400 and next are the power steering leaks.

The resevoir/pump is leaking. Is there a rebuild kit for that or do I need to replace it?

Is there a rebuild kit for the rack? or are aftermarket racks any good?

It is leaking (a lot) from here (control valve)....It looks like it comes with a new rack....


Last edited by Sticka; 04-13-12 at 07:28 PM.
Old 04-13-12, 07:27 PM
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Sticka
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Ok...I found a kit for both the rack and the control valve for $133 and a brand new rack is $1500.....is that right??

I have not found a kit for the pump yet....

Last edited by Sticka; 04-13-12 at 08:24 PM.
Old 04-14-12, 07:54 AM
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Lavrishevo
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Racks are extremely expensive. Double check that the leak is not coming from a cracked and worn rubber hose that connects the reservoir to the pump. My dealer quoted me two very expensive parts to replace when mine was leaking for over $2,400.00 and it turns out it was just a $15.00 rubber hose. I suggest you clean everything up very good so you can tell exactly where the leak is coming from.

If it turns out to be the rack or control valve then most likely you do not need to replace it but replace the worn rubber o-rings inside and this will correct the problem. You can go to Sewell Lexus's website to look at part diagrams.

Edit:

This was my original thread related to my issues I believed I had at the time.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...endations.html

Last edited by Lavrishevo; 04-14-12 at 07:59 AM.
Old 04-14-12, 08:30 AM
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billydpowe
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YES yes YES, to quote Lavrishevo, I suggest you clean everything up very good so you can tell exactly where the leak is coming from.
quit guessing and do it right..
Old 04-14-12, 08:43 AM
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Sticka
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It is definately coming from the top of the control valve (the pump is also leaking). I have been under the car for a couple of days replacing the trans, trans mount, engine mounts and fixing an exhaust leak. I could see it leaking when I started under the car and it got worse after I had to pull the crossmember and rack down to get to the drivers side engine mount.

Aftermarket racks are not too expensive. Are they any good?

....and I still can't find a gasket/seal kit for the pump at Sewell.... anyone have a part number for that?
Old 04-14-12, 09:05 AM
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billydpowe
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check this out (if it works)


January 2011 Update

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=url,uid

User ID: tech
Password: tech

http://arrc.ebscohost.com/searches?c...linkage%2Fgear

Last edited by billydpowe; 04-14-12 at 09:15 AM.
Old 04-14-12, 09:52 AM
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Sticka
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Thanks Billy!

Now I just need to find that kit!
Old 04-14-12, 10:24 AM
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Lavrishevo
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This may help too:

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S400-1996.html
Attached Thumbnails Help with a power steering leak.......please!-450350a.jpg  
Old 04-14-12, 10:27 AM
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Lavrishevo
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Steeri...-/150753420334

Amazon Amazon

Last edited by Lavrishevo; 04-14-12 at 10:33 AM.
Old 04-14-12, 12:22 PM
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Sticka
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Thanks Lavrishevo! That is just what I need!

Does anyone have any experience with non genuine kits like these?
I found the rack kit @ Sewell but it is 5 times the price of the one above.

Does the rack kit above cover the valve too?

Last edited by Sticka; 04-14-12 at 12:45 PM.
Old 04-19-12, 08:16 PM
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Sticka
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Originally Posted by Sticka
Does the rack kit above cover the valve too?
To follow up on this in case someone else trys to reference this thread later..
The answer is no. The rack seal/gasket kit does not have the seals for the valve with it.



.
Old 04-19-12, 08:27 PM
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Sticka
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oh....and the best places, price wise for the seal kits were ....
Amazon for the rack kit.
Ebay for the pump kit.
and Sewell Lexus for the valve kit.
Old 04-20-12, 07:46 AM
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dashan
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Sticka,
Any tricks to remove the 10 nuts on the Cat joints?
Old 04-21-12, 12:25 AM
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Sticka
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Lots of WD40 or the like. 2 of the studs in the headers (one each side) stripped their threads when I undid the nuts. I then removed one of the damaged studs with no problem, the other one broke, but luckily there was enough of a stub left to use a broken bolt extractor on it and get it out.
I ordered 2 new studs when I ordered my engine mounts and installed them without any drama when I was putting everything back together.
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