ehollen132

Hello,

I'm having a slight problem with turning the steering wheel. At times, it requires a little more strength on my part to turn the wheel. This happens when I'm turning left. The power steering fluid is fine. At times, I'll notice what seems to be a chirping noise from the front.

If I park in loose gravel or grass, the problem usually goes away, and the car drives fine. However, when I park on the street or on rough surfaces, I can usually notice the change in steering from right away.

I've done a little research. My friend suggested it could be the steering rack, another said a certain pulley on the idling belt system, and another friend said it could be a sort of sensor, in that the car will make the steering a little harder at high speeds so you don't fly off the right, and that a faulty sensor might think I was driving at a high speed, when really I was driving at a lower.

Thanks for any help any of you is able to offer me,
Eric

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Can you tell us what vehicle you have?

ehollen132

Yep! Sorry, can't believe I forgot that. It's a 95 Lexus LS 400.

Coleroad

Eric, it will need a new rack.it is caused by an internal leak past an o ring. This is why the problem is only when you turn right. It starts out only napping when cold. As it gets worse it starts happening all the time. This is the same problem GM had back in the 80's.

ehollen132

Ok, thank you. I figured it was the rack. I believe the problem occurs when I'm turning left, however, and not right, if that makes a difference? I'll have to double check next time I drive it.

Other than the car not handling as smoothly as it should, is this a serious problem? I plan on driving it cross-country to a new location for graduate school.

Thanks.