okay i have been having this problem for about a month. i notice it when the car is at a stop or slowly turning in a parking lot or driveway. There is a humming going straight, until i get up to speed. When i turn the wheel, the hum gets louder. Very ugly noise, especially when my lex pulls into a parking lot... geeeezzz... any ideas? i assume power steering pump, and yes it is full with fluid.

 

I have the same problem, but for some reason if I overfill it with ps fluid it goes away. I am taking my ride to the shop next week, so I'll let you know what they say.

regards,
Kareem

 

thanx bro

 

if its really loud or annoying then it could be your PS pump on the verge of going out, if it isnt too loud its the sound of the PS pump working working harder to turn the wheels than if you were moving a bit quicker

 

well i thought it was maybe leaking, cuz i put fluid in it and it stpped for a few days. now it is back and loud again (a nasty humm especially at slow speeds) and this time the reservoir is full. so i don't tink its a leak problem.... any insight on this.... seminole, did you ever get to a mechanic?

 

A few months ago I went to Goodyear in Tallahassee to let them have a look at the problem and they just said that the car was low on ps fluid (i knew was crap), so I let it go. On Friday my car went started making the noise loud as ****. I ended up taking it to Goodyear in Tallahassee and they told me that the ps motor was getting ready to go. It cost about $450 for a Lexus replacement and about $250 for a knock off. I had to get the knock off, because the Lexus one was not covered under my warranty. Also, I had to get a new serp belt. Because they had to order the knock off pump I won't get my car back until Wednesday. I will update you guys then.

P.S. Happy Holidays

Regards,
Kareem

 

Eh, I had that problem, turned out rack and pinion was leaking, replaced it at a local shop with a rebuilt one, cost me around $450.

 

Welll I got the car back and so far it seems to be ok. I hope I don't have more problems in the near future or I will sell.

 

You must beware with reports that your rack is leaking... Lexus makes a very reliable rack and pinion. Should last over 200K. But if you use an aftermarket oil filter, in most instances it won't seal correctly and it will cause a small drip which accumulates on the rack. Making it appear that the rack is leaking. A shop tried to pull that ****** on me too. But i did further investigation. Now i only use Toyota/Lexus oil filters which are pretty cheap actually.


Next, the Power Steering pump makes that noise when it is about to go out. and overfilling it will make the noise go away. In cold weather it is especially loud. I replaced mine for $100 from a salvaged Lexus, that was a deal, the normal price used is $200 - $250. Also, if i am not mistaken the pump and resevoir can be purchased separately.