Power steering reservoir question. 00' LS400
09-23-15, 10:37 PM
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Power steering reservoir question. 00' LS400
Hi,
My steering has been a problem for a while now, the steering is not smooth (especially around tight turns or when going slowly). I can hear a groaning noise when I turn sometimes, usually at slow speeds and can feel a vibration in the steering wheel, even when the car isn't moving. Its very hard to explain. Sitting in traffic is the worst and having to change lanes when driving slow, you can just feel the steering is heavy. Anyways, my mechanic (a lexus and Toyota specialist) assured me that there is no leak and the power steering fluid is still at a good level even 2,000 miles after service so I don't think its a leak either. He said its the power steering reservoir, its not letting enough power steering fluid in to make the steering smooth? Does that sound right? Is a failing power steering reservoir a normal thing to go? I believe him because if you turn the wheel slowly when the car isn't moving, its almost like you can hear the fluid pouring in slowly, weird I know. He quoted me $455.61 for the new part alone excluding taxes and labor to install it.
Thoughts? Anything else I should check? I am not observing any abnormal fluids from under the car, its always dry underneath minus the occasional AC condensation.
Car has 109,000 Miles on it
2000 LS400
My steering has been a problem for a while now, the steering is not smooth (especially around tight turns or when going slowly). I can hear a groaning noise when I turn sometimes, usually at slow speeds and can feel a vibration in the steering wheel, even when the car isn't moving. Its very hard to explain. Sitting in traffic is the worst and having to change lanes when driving slow, you can just feel the steering is heavy. Anyways, my mechanic (a lexus and Toyota specialist) assured me that there is no leak and the power steering fluid is still at a good level even 2,000 miles after service so I don't think its a leak either. He said its the power steering reservoir, its not letting enough power steering fluid in to make the steering smooth? Does that sound right? Is a failing power steering reservoir a normal thing to go? I believe him because if you turn the wheel slowly when the car isn't moving, its almost like you can hear the fluid pouring in slowly, weird I know. He quoted me $455.61 for the new part alone excluding taxes and labor to install it.
Thoughts? Anything else I should check? I am not observing any abnormal fluids from under the car, its always dry underneath minus the occasional AC condensation.
Car has 109,000 Miles on it
2000 LS400
09-24-15, 03:32 AM
#2
If its like a gen 1 the screen in the bottom of the reservoir can get debris on it and restrict the fluid some, just use something like a cheapy battery sucker bulb and suck the fluid out and look in there and try to suck out any junk, and add new fluid.
09-24-15, 11:46 AM
#3
Do it the manly way... just suck it out...
Ok... first use the turkey baster/battery sucker... then when you can't get anymore... get about 2 feet of clear tubing and just suck it out. The clear tubing so you can see when to stop sucking.
Let it drain out into your disposal bucket and then try it again. I found this works great to get that hard to get fluid out as you can move the tube around like a straw and get it out.
I'd drain and get new ATF and put it there and see if it makes a difference...
Ok... first use the turkey baster/battery sucker... then when you can't get anymore... get about 2 feet of clear tubing and just suck it out. The clear tubing so you can see when to stop sucking.
Let it drain out into your disposal bucket and then try it again. I found this works great to get that hard to get fluid out as you can move the tube around like a straw and get it out.I'd drain and get new ATF and put it there and see if it makes a difference...
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