Recently my steering wheel because very stiff. You can turn the wheel ¼ of a turn in either direction and it feels fine, once you get past 90 degrees there is a stiff spot in the wheel (Both sides) and you have to come onto the wheel to get by the stiff spot and then it will turn fine for another 1/4 turn and so on. About 2 weeks ago I had both front ball joints replaced as well as the power steering pump. This problem that I'm having with the steering now seems to come and go. I could get in my car in the morning and it the steering feels fine, then five minutes down the road the wheel becomes stiff as I described above, the an hr later may go back to being normal for a bit. I had all the work done at the Lexus dealership which is over 100KM away, and since I'm working everyday except weekends I don't have time to take it back. However I did manage to get an appointment at the local Toyota Dealership for Friday, but have had poor service from them before and not looking forward to going back. Although I feel the problem should be looked at ASAP because I don't want it to get any worse. Anyone have any ideas?

 

One thing I forgot to add. When I hit one of these stiff spots it doesn't feel as if the power steering has quit. It's like the wheel basically gets stuck at 1/4 turn and even if I let go of the wheel and keep driving the wheel will stay locked at 1/4 turn and continue to turn. I have to put a lot of pressur on the wheel to get by the stiff spots.

 

Sorry, one more thing to add. When the car is at idle I still have the stiff spots but they are not nearly as still when driving at say 50km/hr.

 

Check your ball joints.

 

I'm going to go with the power steering system on this one.

Have a tech flush out all the fluid in the power steering system and replace the fluid as the Lexus manual says. I'm pretty sure they specify Dexron II auto transmission fluid.

Another part of the power steering system to check is the power stering solenoid which I know nothing about. I guess if it gets dirty it can make the steering really hard.

 

Had the car into a Toyota dealership today, looks as if it's the Steering Yoke (Some kinda of steering joint) that is seized. Have to wait another week for the part ($165).

 

Hmm.. That's bizzare.. Have the same issue with my Z.. Comes and goes.. When I get the hard spots, I have to really come on to the wheel sometimes.. Kind of like cracking your knuckles to get em working!