I have cleaned my PS reservoir only to find the fluid dirty again every time i check it. I replaced my PS steering hose from the reservoir to the pump with a new one. Im not sure if this is my rack and pinion starting to go out or my powersteering problem...

the main issue is that now when i drive, i have a slight whine when i turn the steering wheel. Furthermore, there is some play with the steering wheel before it starts to actually turn the car. i have 190,000 Miles on my SC300 right now. any thoughts?

 

I have that problem only when I first take my RX out in the morning. In order to avoid the dirt problem, I switched to a Valvoline Powersyn PSF. I also went to their synthetic brake fluid. I know my friends in the States might disagree with me, but in Mexico and at high altitude, Toyota fluids just did not cut it. I now steer much better at high speeds and braking is incredibly quick. The fluid does not seem as dirty as the Toyota fluid.

In addition, with the steering whine you mentioned. I notice it when I pull out to go to work on some days, and others not. I have heard this was due more to something in the steering shaft (lubrication issue) rather than fluid. Not everyone though this solved the problem in their cars. It might be that some lubrication as crudded up and warming up the car alleviates the issue to an extent.