2007 Leaking Steering Rack
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: GA
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2007 Leaking Steering Rack
Since my RX350 seems to get the problems first I thought I'd post this in case yours is soon to be out of warrantee.
Just had my '07 RX350 in for 75k service. They found that the rack is leaking power steering fluid into the rubber boot. It doesn't leak on to the ground as it drips into the boot. I have an extended warrantee so it was covered. The cost to repair billed back to the insurance was $1300. for this repair. However, the Lexus extended warrantee does NOT cover the alignment that must be done when the rack is replaced - that sucks!
Anyways, if your RX is close to the end of its warrantee period, I would suggest you have this checked. The service person told me he is seeing it on about every third '07 RX350 in the shop and always happening on the right side. No recall as it's not a safety issue.
Just had my '07 RX350 in for 75k service. They found that the rack is leaking power steering fluid into the rubber boot. It doesn't leak on to the ground as it drips into the boot. I have an extended warrantee so it was covered. The cost to repair billed back to the insurance was $1300. for this repair. However, the Lexus extended warrantee does NOT cover the alignment that must be done when the rack is replaced - that sucks!
Anyways, if your RX is close to the end of its warrantee period, I would suggest you have this checked. The service person told me he is seeing it on about every third '07 RX350 in the shop and always happening on the right side. No recall as it's not a safety issue.
#2
Lexus Champion
It's also notable on '05 330s. Mine went at about the same mileage. My mechanic said lack of maintenance was most likely the culprit, keep that fluid fresh folks, next time I'm going synthetic.
#3
Hence I drain(more of suck) the PS canister and put fresh Dexron III every time I change the oil. Tranny DEX II is so cheap anyway. I always check my PS fluid, it has to be pinkish all the time.
#4
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MO
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
it is not lack of maintenance. that is a common problem on all 04-? RXs the reason for the ? is i see it on 350s as well as 330s it is expensive to repair but if it is not covered by warranty call lexus not your dealer and complain and they might help you out with repair costs. Also if you are paying for the repair check on the labor time quoted it should include time to toe in the front wheels so paying for an alignment is not necessary but still recommended every 15k or yearly
#5
I use royal purple in my PS system so I hope it helps. I'm convinced that Lexus wants this to be a problem as its such a pain in the *** to check PS fluid level
With the black plastic cover on that side of the engine bay
With the black plastic cover on that side of the engine bay
#6
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Toyota dealer changed my PS fluid at the 45K oil change. They checked it while doing all the fluid checks with my oil change and noticed it was very dirty. They had me look and it was very dirty so I had them go ahead and change it.
Jeff
Jeff
Trending Topics
#9
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2007 Leaking Steering Rack
I was just at my dealership and was informed that my steering rack is leaking on both sides. On the right hand side the boot was wet and dripping on the stabilizer beam. The right side was just wet. No material has hit the ground. So, the leaks are slow and the boots seem to be intact. I was given a price for the replacement of the entire steering rack with both a Lexus part and for an aftermarket part. I decided to have this issue addressed at my next service interval, probably with the least cost option, the after marked part.
My question is does the entire assembly have to be replaced? Couldn't just the boots over the couplings replaced and the lubricant be replenished?
George
My question is does the entire assembly have to be replaced? Couldn't just the boots over the couplings replaced and the lubricant be replenished?
George
#10
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
I was just at my dealership and was informed that my steering rack is leaking on both sides. On the right hand side the boot was wet and dripping on the stabilizer beam. The right side was just wet. No material has hit the ground. So, the leaks are slow and the boots seem to be intact. I was given a price for the replacement of the entire steering rack with both a Lexus part and for an aftermarket part. I decided to have this issue addressed at my next service interval, probably with the least cost option, the after marked part.
My question is does the entire assembly have to be replaced? Couldn't just the boots over the couplings replaced and the lubricant be replenished?
George
My question is does the entire assembly have to be replaced? Couldn't just the boots over the couplings replaced and the lubricant be replenished?
George
#11
Driver
iTrader: (1)
I use the turkey baster method, suck some out and replace with Mobil 1 ATF, drive 50 miles, do it again. The PS fluid on my '98 SC300 was dark brown when I bought it, after 2 or so quarts of Mobil1 ATF it's now red.
My SC and RX were both serviced at Lexus through their life, they would change all the fluids except the PS,.............. kinda strange
My SC and RX were both serviced at Lexus through their life, they would change all the fluids except the PS,.............. kinda strange
#12
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for this. I shopped around and found it is not a good idea to just change the boots. Changing the boots alone does not stop the leak and the leak will eventually deteriorate the boots and your back to square one.
I found an independent mechanic who specialized in Toyota and Lexus who I worked with in the past. He quoted me an OEM replacement for $500 less than the Lexus dealer. He completed the job in less than 3 hours and included a front end alignment.
I’m happy,
I found an independent mechanic who specialized in Toyota and Lexus who I worked with in the past. He quoted me an OEM replacement for $500 less than the Lexus dealer. He completed the job in less than 3 hours and included a front end alignment.
I’m happy,
#13
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Power Steering Fluid leak
Johnson Lexus in Raleigh gave me the bad news today at my 70000 mile service that I need to repair the leak with a 1600 $ repair. I see no leak reaching the garage floor. What do they replace ?
#14
Thanks for the heads up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hookem59
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
2
05-10-09 10:33 PM