talking about these parts specifically:

45516-50020
45517-50020

almost every thread so far is either for the GS or SC, has anyone done these on the LS? i sometimes get a little pop sound from the front when hitting the right bump in just the right way, plus harsh bumps / potholes will send more of a vibration into the steering wheel than i know toyota would've deemed "LS appropriate" lol...

so far (within the last couple of years) upper and lower control arms, ball joints, struts, sway bar bushings, strut rods, and tie rods have been done... apparently if the steering rack moves when the wheel is turned that's an indication that they're bad, and others seem to suggest that replacing them isn't too hard of a job, so just wondering if anyone has recently done this or is otherwise experienced in the matter

car handles great (as good as i imagine such a squishy car will handle) with no wandering or difficulty to control, just the occasional mild pop sound and slightly excessive feel in the steering wheel when hitting a harsh bump... thanks in advance for any help

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-bushings.html

Is this the set of symptoms you're experiencing? Because I too am trying to track down this noise. I've replaced the end links and strut bar so far.

Audio clip of my problem:
https://instaud.io/3zSN

2023 edit: I fixed this problem. It proved to be lower ball joints.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ed-my-car.html

 

nah I read through that doesn't sound like what my car is doing, I don't have a "judder" it just feels like the steering column flexes a bit when hitting a harsh bump

 

I will say my column does feel like it has some flex in those situations. But I may be leading the witness.

If the noise is different then it probably is a different issue.

 

Bumping up this thread instead of starting a new one.

I ordered the OE steering rack bushings listed above for my 99 LS.
The passenger side was a super easy install. The drivers side not so much.
I am stuck trying to figure out how to move the rack out of the way enough to get the old drivers side bushing out! The power steering pinion housing and lines are right in the way, and the steering column doesn't let the rack move enough!
Any suggestions or tips from anyone that has done this job? I feel like I'm missing something simple...

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Lexus-...-/112640639058
I installed a set of these polyurethane rack bushings on my 97 LS a few years ago. Tightened up the steering feel, especially in turns, and didn't add any harshness or anything. I dont recall the install being difficult at all, just removed the plates that clamp down on the bushings on the rack and slide the old bushings off. I MAY have needed to disconnect the steering column shaft from where it meets the rack itself, 1 10mm bolt. I absolutely did not need to disconnect any of the fluid lines to the rack, or remove tie rods. Heres a diagram of the rack from a 97 LS:

 

Thanks for the feedback Bylan. I'm going to give it another shot tonight.
When you say "10mm bolt" are you referring to the one on the diagram below "sliding yoke" with the 35Nm torque rating?

 

Well, I figured it out. I must have been really tired the first night that I tried to do the steering rack bushings, because I attempted it again last night and it only took 10 minutes. No dropping of tie rod ends, no removing the steering column bolt. Pretty easy job, you just need to muscle the steering rack out of the way.

 

I replaced those "rack insulators" a few yaers ago. The old bushings looked pretty good, but new ones made a big difference!