My 1992 LS400 (now with 135,000miles) has been in the family (previously parents car) since it was new. My parents replaced the power steering pump twice while owning it and I have replaced it twice. I'm now needing to replace my pump for the 5th time.

The pump is making noise with engine rpm and becomes very loud (whining) when making tight turns -really loading up the pump.

After opening the PS reservoir, the fluid once again is boiling, and is a bronze-ish brown in color, just as it was when the fluid boiled and pump died in the past.

Does anyone have any recommendations on this because I find it pretty ridiculous to be going through so many pumps under normal daily driving use (it's not a racecar).

Please help! Thank you.

 

Blocked PS rack solenoid screen (search) (or some other obstruction) causing very high PS fluid pressure buildup leading to boiling/overheating.

 

What he said!

It is very common, especially in LSs for the selenoid filter to become clogged. You'll need to pull the selenoid off (pulling the rack makes it much easier" and clean the filter. I'd recommend cleaning the reservoir filter also along with a flush. Use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF when filling and bleeding.

 

in addition to the solenoid make sure to flush the lines.

 

Thanks for all the replies!

I just talked to the shop that replaced the power steering pump on the car twice now, and they claim that they clean the solenoid screen each time but "they just tend to go out every 3 years".

I find that hard to believe because it's a $600-1,500 job depending on if the pump is completely dead -which breaks another $800 piece in the system (according to him - i need to find out what that is exactly).

My pumps have been breaking every 2 years. It shouldn't be a $6-1,500 job every two years to maintain the LS400, if so, I doubt a lot of people would keep them.

Do the pumps only last 2-3 years, do you think my mechanic is lying about cleaning the solenoid screen - causing the pumps to die, is it really a $600-1,500 job?

Thanks for your help

 

most of the pumps last around 8-10 years before going out.....

 

...Some even longer. Mine still has original pump and rack. Only solenoid filter cleaned once in 10 years.

I really don't think he cleaned it. And of course is lying about pumps going out every 3 years.

Or maybe there is some other obstruction in the system.

 

Any other ideas? Or does anyone know of a good independent shop in South Orange County? I really don't want to keep visiting this shop every two years and paying that much money each time (not worth it).

Thanks

 

Or he could be getting cheap a$$ parts with the knowledge that you'll be back. Gotta be careful with those kinda people. If you're spending that much, then you might as well go to a Lexus dealer and get it down right with the proper parts.

 

I was going to ask:

How often do the solenoid filters need to be cleaned? I also don't take it the filters should be cleaned annually to prevent the pumps from going. You sort-of answered my question as you said you cleaned your filter only once in 10 years on the same pump.

He may be using cheap parts, the main guy wasn't at the shop today so I have until tuesday to get a better shop recommendation in my area from you guys before asking him if he cleaned the filter.

So you have to remove the rack to get to the filter?

 

You may be able to get the filter off w/o removing the rack. I have had mine off twice in the last 2 yrs. You can get at it by removing the LF tire.
First time, with about 95K on the car, it was pretty badly clogged. I have no idea if it had been done before. PS fluid was pretty brown. I cleaned the screen and flushed the system.
The second time, 2 yrs later, 110K, it was OK. Fluid looked OK, too. Still red.

I think the screen becomes clooged over time with rotor bits from the pump.
When it's working hard against the clogged screen it gets very hot, burning the PS fluid. The high pressure stresses the whole PS system.
Keeping the screen clean is the key to saving your PS system.

 

But how often should you do this?

The fluid in my car is brown, and definitely boiling. I have the feeling that they did not clean the filter as my pumps have only lasted 2 years each. I'll find out later if they 'claim' they have cleaned them or not but I'm not liking that they just dismiss it saying they need to be replaced every 3 years.

Anyone know of a good shop in Orange County?

 

theres a load of places to go!

Luxury Motorworks, Dynamic Auto, Status (dont think they do mech work tho)

 

i have a 95 LS with 185k on it and it still has the original pump and rack....no problems...so ur getting jipped...

 

Have you ever cleaned your filter? If so, how often?