I have noticed that my power steering started making funny noises. Turns out the fluid is low. But, where did it go. According to the dealer the pump is most likely leaking (on to my alternator). The dealer wants $500 to pull it, reseal and install. I can get a new one for $420 and do it my self. Has anyone done this? How long does it take? Difficult? And places to get a pump for cheaper? Rebuild kits? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Uh oh. The power steering fluid is dropping onto your alternator and will soon kill it. My alt. died a month after fixing the power steering pump.
There is a seal kit available for the power steering pump. Basically, you need to replace some o-rings. Two diff. sizes and two of each I believe. Should be less than $200 for everything. A local Toyota dealer was able to get the parts in a pinch so your Lexus dealer should know which parts you need.

If you don't have any luck with the dealer I can get you the part numbers in a couple days.

 

I found a new (aftermarket) PS Pump at toysport.com for $230 shipped (with an $80 core), cheeper then $430 at the dealer. I hope I caught it early enough not to damage my alternator. Incase it does go out in a few months, do I need to take the PS pump off to replace the alternator? Thanks.

 

-Misura

What happened to your alternator, bearings?
I ended up taking mine out to replace the PS pump and I'm wondering what I can do to prevent it from breaking down the line, there is not too much visible fluid on it. I'm trying to figure out what the fluid from te PS pump could do to it. Do you think just taking it apart and clening it out, greasing the bearings would help it?

 

mrKophee:

My alternator bit the dust on a business trip. Got christmas lights on my dash. Some truckers recharged my battery and I was able to limp to a nearby hotel. One trucker said, "is that a Mercedes?" Yup, that's what the "L" stands for. Nice guys though. I had the car towed to Fort Wayne, IN. They overnighted an alt. from Chicago. I couldn't wait around so I had the car towed (flat bed always) home - cross border. Lovely, eh.

Sounds like you have the time to fix your alternator. Take it to a good electrical automotive repair shop and they can inspect & test it, and most likely make repairs. This is the MUCH cheaper way to go. I had some windings on the alternator off my old car redone for next to nothing. There's now 205k on the original alt. and it's still working (gave the car to my sister).

Better luck to you.

 

I'm always so paranoid about my power steering going out. Everytime anything feels funny, I think power steering. It wouldn't be so bad if I knew that it wasn't going to kill my alternator if it really is the power steering. How will I know if the power steering is leaking? Before I bought mine, I test drove a car which ran fine but when I got it checked out, they said the power steering pump was "seeping". From the drive, I never would have guessed!

So for those of you who have gone through it, what are the warning signs? What should I look for?

Also what part of the alternator does the PS pump drip onto? If my PS pump was seeping and I didn't fix it, would there be a way to cover the alternator with something so it didn't get ruined?

Thanx!!

 

When your fluid gets low you should hear a humm or whine when truning the wheel at idle. There is not much room between the pump and alternator, you may be able to make a little aluminum cover over the top of the alternator. In may case the pump fluid ran down the pressure hose and down to the bottom engine cover, not much got on the alternator. Also you can get an alternator from a Toyota dealer or find one on-line for ~$210, not $500 like my local Lexus dealer. Just check the fluid every once in a while, glance at the pump and under it.

 

my Power steering system has been leaking since i got the car last april. But where was the fluid going? AHA! turns out that the vaccum pressure switch located just below the reservoir was sucking fluid thru the vacuum lines and into the intake. The car was smoking quite a bit especially at startup. i have replaced the switch and all is good! !!!!

 

Here is a good DIY for rebuilding your OEM alternator and showing a picture of PERRY IN LA's post on how he made a shield to divert the fluid away from the alt.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...r-rebuild.html

Another great site to explore:

http://planetsoarer.com/Power%20steering%20pump.htm

Quality parts are getting harder to find for our SC's. I was told by an acquaintance that is in the auto industry that the manufacturer is only obligated to make enough spare parts to last 10 years after production. Mine is now 20 years old.

Dave at Lextreme is a great recourse to have in your corner. He has rebuild kits for the PS pump and upgrades for the alternator and wiring too.

http://www.lextreme.com/parts/index.html

 

The fluid could also be leaking from the steering rack and pinion

 

Is this a 400? If so there is a rebuild kit for it and usually you only need to change out a couple of o rings, which can be done without removing it.

 

You mean like this?

http://www.lextreme.com/parts/kit.html

 

I poured brake fluid in my power steering reservoir inadvertently and it never never again NEVER leaked again! It wasnt planned but the seals must've reacted to the brake fluid (I had the stop leak type). I did it twice and never had a leak again......

I'm not saying this is a cure but it worked for almost 2 years until the car was totaled.