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[QUOTE=YODAONE;9964925]In 1998 the LS400 isolated the power steering reservoir from the vane pump assembly by mounting on the right side fender well.
Three rubber isolation bushings were used in affixing the pump to the fender well.
Anyone with a 1998+ LS400 will notice their bushings have shrunk and are age and heat hardened....allowing the resorvoir to flop around.
It is the authors opinion the original bushings were poor quality rubber and ill fitting to begin with
Time to replace...
Unfortunately, Lexus has discontinued these rubber bushings....
Found a solution at AutoZone (Ahem)
They carry a line of "Help" parts on pegboard hangers where I came across a package containing 3 bushings.
3-pack of windshield wiper motor bushings from Autozone...# 49450..complete with better fitting metal spacers Aftermarket rubber bushing/spacer at top , OEM rubber bushing/spacer at bottom.
OEM bolts inserted to show utter disregard for fitment of originals
. Top view of reservoir depicting mounting points. Another mounting point beneath coolant reservoir. Push spacer out to remove original.bushings...
They will likely disintegrate in half, but removing spacer makes job easier New bushings fit perfectly in bracket holes and match bracket thickness Diagram at upper left depicts resorvoir, rubber bushings, spacers, and bolts.
Lexus discontinued these rubber bushings...although every 1998-2000 LS400 tequires replacement at this point.
FOR SAFETY...BEFORE unbolting the resorvoir and replacing these bushings, be aware that both rubber hose sections are likely brittle and will likely fracture .or be disrupted.. requirimg immediate replacement...
Plan ahead....
Replace both hoses and clamps.
The larger diameter bottom hose is sold as a service item from Lexus (DO NOT SUBSTITUTE) while the smaller diameter 6" hose segment is not sold separately from a very expensive hose assembly..
You can however source 10mm ID ATF rated hydraulic hose. Mind the wall thickness..
3/8" ID hose (9.5 mm) does not work well because it is difficult to push onto the steel.lines and if not careful.you can fracture line fittings.. This is correct hose... Yokohama is the OEM supplier.
ANYONE WITH SOURCING?
I understand replacing these worn bushings but to what benefit? I think replacing this causes more issues, such as replacement of that hose.
<br /><br />First, the OEM determined to secure the Power Steering Resorvoir to the chassis via rubber bushings.<br /><br />Due to OEM rubber compound selection , underhood location (high heat), poor original fitment and age, these bushings harden and shrink such that the P.S. tesoirvoiflops around....<br /><br />So, the brittle and rock hard hoses connected to the P.S. resorvoir stand greater chance of fracturing and blowing out suddenly.....very unsafe.<br /><br />So for safety's sake, the bushings and hoses should be replaced at same time.<br /><br />Practice proactive maintenance...
ah gotcha! blow out is unlikely but a light leak is more probable due to the extra vibes on the overly brittle hoses. thanks for clarifying.
On 20+ year old rubber hose, a blowout is more likely than not when failure occurs.
An LS400 may look good, but the rubber hoses (albeit excellent quality) do not last forever in a heat/hydraulic pressure environment.
The best military grade silicone rubber has a shelf life of 25 years...
SAFETY is paramount and proactive maintenance is necessary for rubber P.S. and brake hoses to avoid unwelcome surprises.
agreed. I was servicing a car and saw some cracking on the brake hoses which worried me! though i have not seen any catastrophic failures in my years of driveway wrenching, it's definitely a concern.
When I first got my '99 in 2013 I was chasing a power steering leak. Turned out to be one of the hoses connected to the bottom of the reservoir. The hose was actually permeating fluid throughout the entire length, likely due to tiny splits and fractures from the dried up rubber combined with the vibrations from the worn bushings.
The hose was so cooked that I had to take needle nose pliers to it and rip it off, bit by bit, chunk by chunk... The original reservoir bushings remained for 5 more years; I will be replacing this weekend!
Would be nice if they listed a durometer hardness to these. They have some cool products, glad you found and posted them.
Supplier to provide durometer...
Meanwhile, have installed the new silicone bushings....the Dorman parts that were used to replace OEM bushings displayed considerable cracking.
New silicone power steering reservoir bushings Silicone bushing conforms into bracket mounting hole with similar effort as OEM bushings. Cracked Dorman bushing on left... Silicone bushing on right. Reuse the OEM spacer/inserts as they are not included with silicone bushings.
08-25-17, 07:05 PM
1998-2000 ls400 power steering reservoir bushings
