shajbot

iTrader: (3)

Just picked up a 92 SC400 @ 180K mileage, sick car overall despite a few little things.

Power steering doesn't work properly. P/S pump squeals lightly when I turn the wheel. Very rarely but it happens that I get power assist when steering but most of the time there is no power steering assist. P/S fluid is sufficient btw.

What am I looking at here...hoses, leak vacuum, power steering pump & assembly, steering rack???

Thanks,

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

probably just the pump thats bad... you could test it, but you'd need equipment that would probably cost as much as the pump itself... if its not the pump, then the rack is bypassing internally (assuming there is enough fluid and there are no leaks), and would need to be replaced/rebuilt

shajbot

iTrader: (3)

Is that it, or does it just need to bleed air or something?

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

oh, ya know... I just thought of one other thing - not quite as common...

firstly to answer your question, the power steering system is self bleeding - just turn the wheel lock to lock a few times, make sure there is sufficient fluid, and it's bled...

my one other idea that I have seen only a couple times, and I'm not sure if it's possible on the Lexus', but on other cars, I've seen a small hole in the power steering fluid return (or suction) line, letting air into the system continuously... fairly rare, and it should show evidence of leakage when the car is not running...

shajbot

iTrader: (3)

A mechanic quoted me $800 for replacing the rack ad pinion with the $500 on the rack itself with the EVO component (I did some research it has to do with electronic variable orifice that varies p/s assist on speed etc). Is that a good deal? Do I need the evo crap...