Mechanic (good guy i trust but is not a Lexus expert) who is putting my new PS pump on says that the rack is leaking and did show me the split boot/bellow. He said that in addition to leaking, it takes in air and that caused my PS to foam, probably prematurely killing my pump.

I had read so many threads about the rack being blamed when its not by mechanics inexperienced with the LS and want to make as certain as possible before I drop another 3-500.

I know many veterans on here that are as good as any Lexus certified mechanic so I would like some feedback even though you cannot know for sure about my car.

Car is a 98 LS with 98k miles but did sit for extended periods as I am learning.

Thoughts?

 

I'm not sure on the issue you posted about, but did your PS pump leak at all or did it just stop working?
If it leaked for any extended period of time you will want to change your alternator as well. I thought when I took my PS pump out and replaced it and my alternator was still working that I was fine. But my alternator just failed last week(only 9 weeks after replacing the PS pump) and I had to replace it as well. PS fluid destroys alternators and is a common issue with our cars.

 

if it's leaking it's toast. no other way about it.

 

No leaks at all but PS started to growl, when I checked it the fluid was foaming indicating air in the system. Next day the pump was dead. Mechanic said the rack was letting air in the system and needs replaced along with the pump.

 

your OP said the mech said the rack was leaking....

 

Leak indicates a break in the system, which would both leak fluid AND take in air, We are arguing semantics I think as fluid could have been gathering in the boot as well.

 

if fluid's gathering in the boot there's a leak.

 

LOL yes indeed that would be leak... but had nothing to do with my question. I am just going to replace it. I think we are done here.

 

problem resolved, ticket closed