Steering Looseness (Is that a word?)
03-25-11, 11:13 AM
#31
Lexus Test Driver
Mine does not wander etc, but at 201K km i think it's wise to replace these...
In Moscow 4pcs set costs just under 100$, and job at mechanic's will cost about 60usd.
Thanks for the tips. I will replace it along with lower and middle steering yoke/shafts.
In Moscow 4pcs set costs just under 100$, and job at mechanic's will cost about 60usd.
Thanks for the tips. I will replace it along with lower and middle steering yoke/shafts.
03-25-11, 05:53 PM
#32
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Thread Starter
I just had this done to my car. The bushings were quite expensive here in Finland, 250 eur (about $300) for just the parts at the dealer. I had them changed at an independent shop.
But holy cow, that was money well spent - the difference in both stability and on-center steering feel is night and day! Before the job, the car was wandering badly on the highway, any road surface irregularities or wind would greatly affect the direction of the car. Now it's like a completely different car, with Shinkansen train like directional stability.
I wholeheartedly agree with the earlier post saying that these should be a regular maintenance item. I used not to be able to drive the car on the highway with just one hand on the steering wheel before because it was wandering so much. But all of it is gone, my ride is perfect now. Yay!!
But holy cow, that was money well spent - the difference in both stability and on-center steering feel is night and day! Before the job, the car was wandering badly on the highway, any road surface irregularities or wind would greatly affect the direction of the car. Now it's like a completely different car, with Shinkansen train like directional stability.
I wholeheartedly agree with the earlier post saying that these should be a regular maintenance item. I used not to be able to drive the car on the highway with just one hand on the steering wheel before because it was wandering so much. But all of it is gone, my ride is perfect now. Yay!!
03-28-11, 08:48 AM
#34
Racer
Does anyone know if this part can be replaced on a 2005 LS ?
What does Lexus calls this part, so I can have my mechanic order it from the dealer.
I'm in Canada, so I may have to order it by part name ( not number ) Is the part correctly called " steering rack bushing " ? Thanks
03-28-11, 11:24 AM
#35
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No one has yet stated their outcome for an '03-'06 model. The part numbers for '01 & '02 are 45516-50030 and 45516-50040 and, yes, they're called steering rack bushings. You'll need 2 each. For whatever reason the exploded parts lists for 2003-2006 don't show the bushings separately. The steering rack part numbers are the same for 2001-2006 so the bushings should be the same but I'd ask before committing. It's possible that a change was made to the bushings after 2002.
03-28-11, 11:31 AM
#36
Racer
No one has yet stated their outcome for an '03-'06 model. The part numbers for '01 & '02 are 45516-50030 and 45516-50040 and, yes, they're called steering rack bushings. You'll need 2 each. For whatever reason the exploded parts lists for 2003-2006 don't show the bushings separately. The steering rack part numbers are the same for 2001-2006 so the bushings should be the same but I'd ask before committing. It's possible that a change was made to the bushings after 2002.
Thanks - that was what I thought I had read - I appreciate the confirmation.Edit I just spoke to my Lexus dealer who said this part
is not shown on the 2003 - 2006 LSs ....
meaning, I suppose, this part CAN NOT be replaced on a '05 ....
Last edited by Stu; 03-28-11 at 01:52 PM.
03-28-11, 02:11 PM
#38
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Thread Starter
The part number for the steering rack for all LS430 years is the same so it makes sense that the bushings are the same. The bushings that I received from Sewell lexus look exactly the same as the ones I replaced so there hasn't been a redesign of the bushings. Strange! Others here on the forum do have later model 430's and they're going to replace theirs. Sooner or later we'll hear from them about their experience. Hopefully.
03-28-11, 06:31 PM
#39
Mine have shipped so I will know this weekend if they fit and if they fix the issue... if not, I check the classifieds for a used 2005 Lexus and Bushings for 01-03 models... ha!
03-30-11, 08:23 AM
#40
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http://www.youtube.com/user/ViperVip.../2/z0HntYGpVFI
This is an 05 not mine though. But I feel I have the same issue
This is an 05 not mine though. But I feel I have the same issue
03-30-11, 10:03 AM
#41
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Do remember that the bushings are there to give some compliance to the steering rack. It's really just a question of when some becomes too much. I really need to take a video of my rack with the new bushings installed. Would somebody remind me to do this if you don't see a video from me in the next day or two? I'm usually in overload. 
03-30-11, 04:20 PM
#42
http://www.youtube.com/user/ViperVip.../2/z0HntYGpVFI
This is an 05 not mine though. But I feel I have the same issue
This is an 05 not mine though. But I feel I have the same issue
I got mine in the mail from Sewell... we'll see if they work on an 05 this weekend... I'll document the snot out of it so you guys can soak it all in...
03-30-11, 06:23 PM
#43
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Cool.. all of my tires where under inflated hopefully that fixes my issue... Car seem much better with the tires properly inflated. I may do the bushings anyway depending on the out come of this
Last edited by Sentinel; 03-31-11 at 05:45 AM.
03-30-11, 11:37 PM
#44
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My bushings have arrived...
I'll pick them up hopefully by the end of the week (I took all 4 of them for ~ US$ 140)....but I think I'll have time to change them only in a week or two...
I'll post the results as soon as they are in...
It would be nice if someone can take a few photos while changing so I know what to do
If not, I'll try grabbing a few (doe my LS430 is a RHD
)
I'll pick them up hopefully by the end of the week (I took all 4 of them for ~ US$ 140)....but I think I'll have time to change them only in a week or two...
I'll post the results as soon as they are in...
It would be nice if someone can take a few photos while changing so I know what to do
If not, I'll try grabbing a few (doe my LS430 is a RHD
)
03-31-11, 09:08 PM
#45
Do remember that the bushings are there to give some compliance to the steering rack. It's really just a question of when some becomes too much. I really need to take a video of my rack with the new bushings installed. Would somebody remind me to do this if you don't see a video from me in the next day or two? I'm usually in overload.
