Rack and Pinion Unit Leaking Oil
04-13-11, 05:49 AM
#16
Lexus Champion
Well, put me in the new rack and pinion club. My mechanic called and I have a leak so I'm going to replace it. Lifetime warranty reman on eBay is 238 shipped so I'm going that route, 73K on the car.
04-13-11, 07:26 AM
#17
I read that leaks at the rack & pinion are due to worn out or hardened seals and gaskets.
Would flushing the P/S fluid every 30K miles prolong the life of the seals and gaskets ?
For the people with leaking rack & pinion, how often you guys change the P/S fluid ?
Would flushing the P/S fluid every 30K miles prolong the life of the seals and gaskets ?
For the people with leaking rack & pinion, how often you guys change the P/S fluid ?
Last edited by txt; 04-13-11 at 10:04 AM.
I am the same way with my RXs. Maybe you can buy mine
08-31-11, 11:17 AM
#22
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Rack and Pinion Steering
I had our RX330 in at Toyota for its 95K oil change and the dealer told me the steering rack and pinion unit was leaking oil and will eventually be a dangerous situation. They showed me the leak, which was a wet boot.
This dealership told me that the entire unit had to be replaced either with a new or refurbished unit. They could not repair it. For the refurb unit, it would cost about $1400 including labor.
Has anyone had this happen to your RX? If so, what did you do about it? I'm very disappointed that this non-routine maintenance item failed with such a high repair cost. I know at nearly 100K miles anything can happen, but it still hurts. I wonder if there was ever a recall or TSB on the rack and pinion unit.
Because it's also time for a timing belt, water pump, and by the end of this year, new tires, I'm starting to think maybe trade-in is the best option.
Thanks for your suggestions.
This dealership told me that the entire unit had to be replaced either with a new or refurbished unit. They could not repair it. For the refurb unit, it would cost about $1400 including labor.
Has anyone had this happen to your RX? If so, what did you do about it? I'm very disappointed that this non-routine maintenance item failed with such a high repair cost. I know at nearly 100K miles anything can happen, but it still hurts. I wonder if there was ever a recall or TSB on the rack and pinion unit.
Because it's also time for a timing belt, water pump, and by the end of this year, new tires, I'm starting to think maybe trade-in is the best option.
Thanks for your suggestions.
08-31-11, 07:39 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
My mechanic said my fluid was low and dirty. I don't know if it had been changed ever. He said there was no doubt in his mind the poor maintenance was a large contributing factor to the rack failing.
2000 is ridiculous, the time to find a reliable independent mechanic is when you don't need one.
2000 is ridiculous, the time to find a reliable independent mechanic is when you don't need one.
09-01-11, 10:02 AM
#25
I looked at my Lexus dealer's website which showed what were in each of the recommended scheduled services.
There was inspection of the rack and pinion steering assembly but no mention of changing power steering fluid.
I guess most people and dealers would check to make sure PS fluid is full but not replacing the fluid.
If the tech thought poor maintenance was a large contributing factor to the rack failing, then maybe Lexus is partly responsible for not recommending PS fluid replacement.
There was inspection of the rack and pinion steering assembly but no mention of changing power steering fluid.
I guess most people and dealers would check to make sure PS fluid is full but not replacing the fluid.
If the tech thought poor maintenance was a large contributing factor to the rack failing, then maybe Lexus is partly responsible for not recommending PS fluid replacement.
09-03-11, 06:00 AM
#26
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https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ring-rack.html
See my earlier post - mechanic told me 1 out of 3 is leaking and all on the right side.
See my earlier post - mechanic told me 1 out of 3 is leaking and all on the right side.
09-04-11, 06:36 PM
#27
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I had our RX330 in at Toyota for its 95K oil change and the dealer told me the steering rack and pinion unit was leaking oil and will eventually be a dangerous situation. They showed me the leak, which was a wet boot.
This dealership told me that the entire unit had to be replaced either with a new or refurbished unit. They could not repair it. For the refurb unit, it would cost about $1400 including labor.
Has anyone had this happen to your RX? If so, what did you do about it? I'm very disappointed that this non-routine maintenance item failed with such a high repair cost. I know at nearly 100K miles anything can happen, but it still hurts. I wonder if there was ever a recall or TSB on the rack and pinion unit.
Because it's also time for a timing belt, water pump, and by the end of this year, new tires, I'm starting to think maybe trade-in is the best option.
Thanks for your suggestions.
This dealership told me that the entire unit had to be replaced either with a new or refurbished unit. They could not repair it. For the refurb unit, it would cost about $1400 including labor.
Has anyone had this happen to your RX? If so, what did you do about it? I'm very disappointed that this non-routine maintenance item failed with such a high repair cost. I know at nearly 100K miles anything can happen, but it still hurts. I wonder if there was ever a recall or TSB on the rack and pinion unit.
Because it's also time for a timing belt, water pump, and by the end of this year, new tires, I'm starting to think maybe trade-in is the best option.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Last edited by Dragking91; 09-04-11 at 06:39 PM.
09-06-11, 02:21 PM
#28
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your dealer is either lying or does not know it. I am 100% sure that an AWD Highlander V6 has the same part.
here is one for you
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-05...Q5fAccessories
here is one for you
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-05...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Reman...ht_1116wt_1165
How is it holding up?
11-13-11, 05:20 PM
#29
Have been having some shaking in the steering since I side angled into a manhole cover. Had 4 wheels balanced and then an alignment; now problem is barely there; I can live with it.
But when Sears did the alignment they said my rack and pinion is leaking. Had to put about 2-3 ounces of steering fluid in it yesterday... Having never done this before I have no idea how often it has been topped off at oil changes. Have removed the cover (passenger side over the power steering fluid receptacle) and keeping it off as I suspect it is not always removed for inspection when oil changes are done.
Lexus114- at what point would you feel you need to replace the rack and pinion? E.g., how much leakage? If I just keep filling with power steering fluid, could the leak do any serious harm? Btw, I see that others on the forum have purchased refurbished. But what would the labor be on this? Thanks.
Last edited by quantfutur; 11-13-11 at 05:24 PM.
11-14-11, 10:47 AM
#30
Lexus Champion
Just had the radiator replaced this weekend; saw the part and it was leaking in several spots and rusted on the bottom. Messy. Paid for labor at a local garage; had the radiator shipped to me. So far so good.
Have been having some shaking in the steering since I side angled into a manhole cover. Had 4 wheels balanced and then an alignment; now problem is barely there; I can live with it.
But when Sears did the alignment they said my rack and pinion is leaking. Had to put about 2-3 ounces of steering fluid in it yesterday... Having never done this before I have no idea how often it has been topped off at oil changes. Have removed the cover (passenger side over the power steering fluid receptacle) and keeping it off as I suspect it is not always removed for inspection when oil changes are done.
Lexus114- at what point would you feel you need to replace the rack and pinion? E.g., how much leakage? If I just keep filling with power steering fluid, could the leak do any serious harm? Btw, I see that others on the forum have purchased refurbished. But what would the labor be on this? Thanks.
Have been having some shaking in the steering since I side angled into a manhole cover. Had 4 wheels balanced and then an alignment; now problem is barely there; I can live with it.
But when Sears did the alignment they said my rack and pinion is leaking. Had to put about 2-3 ounces of steering fluid in it yesterday... Having never done this before I have no idea how often it has been topped off at oil changes. Have removed the cover (passenger side over the power steering fluid receptacle) and keeping it off as I suspect it is not always removed for inspection when oil changes are done.
Lexus114- at what point would you feel you need to replace the rack and pinion? E.g., how much leakage? If I just keep filling with power steering fluid, could the leak do any serious harm? Btw, I see that others on the forum have purchased refurbished. But what would the labor be on this? Thanks.
mine is only in the weeping/to very little dripping right now. if I had to add fluid, I`d start looking into getting it done. Right now thats not the case.