My 2004 Ls430 has developed a leak in the power steering. I need to add a quart of fluid about every 2 to 3 weeks. I went and got an oil change at Lexus so had them check it out. They told me it's the high pressure power steering line that has a leak and want $2800 to fix it! I can get a new OEM part off ebay for $300 or $100 for an aftermarket piece off rockauto. Any idea why they are charging so much, is this located in some impossible position that will need basically the engine to be removed to replace or is Lexus just trying to rip me off?

 

I am not sure how much involved you want to be here, but if it were me, I would clean up the area around the power steering pump and the lines. If you are adding a quart every 2-3 weeks, should be easy to spot where the leak is. Once you know where exactly the leak is, then you can get a better estimate of the cost. I believe there are two type of lines, the hard line and soft line. I can not imagine replacing either hard or soft PS line is that expensive.

 

This is the first time I have ever even heard about a power steering leak on the LS430, However, given enough time, I'm sure anything on our cars can fail. I also feel that the quote you mentioned seems over the top expensive and there should be way cheaper alternative fixes.

 

Agree with BCT here...
The soft sections of the PS system are nothing more than rubber hose secured via hose clamps. These are found on the return section and between the reservoir and pump. These old hoses become brittle with age developing cracks and small leaks. If the high-pressure side of the system were leaking you would probably be replacing fluid much more frequently and the steering would be affected. Replacing a short hose on the return side can be as inexpensive as $5 depending on your wrenching capabilities...

 

On LS400 Yokohama is OEM supplier of hydraulic hardline tube/rubber hose assembly..

The rubber connecting segments are held in place with special tension clamps.

Hose ID is 10mm ID.

I belive same scheme on LS430 (verify)

Anyone know who distributes 10mm ID hydraulic hose in North America.

3/8" ID hose not work.

 

 

3/8" ID hose does work. Is it perfect? NO but there's also something called reality. 3/8" ID hose is .009" tighter than 10mm ID hose. You may need to apply heat to the end, to allow a little stretch, before fitting over hard line. I've done it, not a big deal, and MUCH quicker than finding a source for 10mm hose then waiting 2 weeks for it to ship from Japan...
Pic shows what .009" looks like-

 

The high pressure hose is the other one in the picture with the crimped on fittings. Replacement isn't too difficult. Another possibly cheaper option is having a hydraulic hose shop make you a new one once you get the old one out.

 

Correction; Yokohama is brand hose.

Attempted using 3/8" I.D.(9.525 mm) hydraulic hose on a 1998 LS400.

It was brutal attempting to stretch the hose over the raised crimp areas of metal lines...so you have perhaps an extra mm to overcome...so then force it to push it over an inch of hard line.. and hydraulic hose, which is designed to resist expansion does not stretch well...and you end up damaging or fracturing the metal.line...

Then the OEM clamps may not be compatible with the OD of the selected line.(on mine they are used at 3 or 4 junctions....so 6 or 8 constant tension clamps)

It is entirely unsafe to use worm style clamps on high pressure hydraulic hose....which is likely to happen if an uninformed do-it-yourself decides to save a few pennies.

Image of P.S. hydraulic hose and P.N. used on 1999 LS400.

 

Still, a moot point until you locate 10mm ID hose. Be sure to let us know when that happens...

 

It's a team effort..

The Yokohama hose would be ideal.

We see the P.N. on the hose

Someone distributes it.

 

I just want to add if trying to fit new soft line/hose, I would make sure to have some PS fluid on the hose and metal line to act as lubricant (every little things help).

 

hello,

Im currently in the same hole. except all my hoses are leaking, nothing major but its leaking. trying to figure out how to go about replacing them. any and all help is appreciated.

 

I'm also losing excessive amounts of PS fluid. It has dramatically increased in the last month. My first quick check is that is coming out fairly high up in the system. I have used 2 cans of degreaser and will have a better idea when I look again on the weekend.