Hello I have a 2010 Gs350 with some steering issue I was hoping someone knew something about.
Some basic info, I had the issue with the power steering contact disconnecting and disabling my power steering. That was separate from this, it is currently not throwing a code and there are no lights on the dash.

While I’m driving I can hear what sounds like a car when the power steering is low on fluid… except my car is Electronic as we know. Then at higher speeds it feels like the wheel is “sticking” in the direction last turned. There’s resistance that I have to overcome to turn it in a different direction. I started today, got worse the longer I drove(was in traffic) then when I got up to around 50-60 mph it became extremely squirrely on me. I pulled over, let it sit, then drove it home and the issue was much less noticeable. I had someone else drive it and the issue was gone, then I drove it 1hr+ to my house and the issue never presented. This is all within today. The only abnormal thing present is that “swishing” sound as I turn the wheel when parked or low speeds.

Any ideas I’m at a total loss. Best I could come up with is that the power steering motor is dying? Cleaned the contact for the EPS but last time that was an issue I got a light on the dash. I noticed my CV axle was out of the boot but I look at some photos and it’s been like that for over 2 months and I never noticed. Battery is fine. No accidents I’m aware of. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

Sounds like a bad rack and pinion. The EPS system’s gears, bushings, or motor start to bind and degrade, especially under heat or load (intermittent). The swishing sound you hear is probably the EPS motor straining against resistance in the rack, it sounds like the whine of low power steering fluid.


There was a TSB for what sounds like your issue. One thing I'd make sure is that power steering contact you mentioned is very clean and secure before replacing anything.
https://charm.li/Lexus/2010/GS%20350...hway%20Speeds/

 

yeah that sounds right, the vin matches and the years obviously. That’s a pain in the *** repair. Also what does TSB stand for?
im assuming that it’s so far out of warranty/recall that there no shot they’d give any reduced pricing?

 

Technical Service Bulletin, document issued by Lexus. It’s like a heads up for technicians with specific symptoms, affected vehicles, and a recommended fix. They're usually non-safety related, that's what a recall would be for.

And yeah it's way out of warranty, was issued in 2011. "This warranty is in effect for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date"

 

yeah I figured. Thank you for the information, I’ve been struggling to find anything myself. Any chance it could be the bushings or the ball joints? Or is it most likely to be the rack and pinion

 

Very unlikely, especially because there was a TSB with the same symptoms, but checking those couldn't hurt. That wouldn't create the sticking steering and whining noise though. Make sure your battery and alternator are good under load, could mimic rack and pinion failure.

 

yeah the battery is all good, same w the alternator tested it today. Plus I put a new alternator in it not too long ago. Bummer to hear but thank you. Appreciate the help

 

any suggestions on where to look for a new rack and pinion? Can’t seem to find any except from Lexus themselves and even those are hard to come by

 

Definitely would not put an aftermarket rack.

If not new from Lexus then buy used off ebay, car-part, or LKQ. Junkyard tip is to search for a quarter panel and then call the place asking for the part you want, they don't always list every single part. More results, closer by. Just make sure the car is compatible.