I had a mechanic replace steering racks in a 2007 RX350 (bought new from rockauto). Steering wheel feels very heavy after replacing also pulling to right. I took it to two different alignment shops but no change. Mechanic is saying it's steering racks but don't know what to believe.

 

Could be a couple of things.
They didn't bleed the power steering system correctly.
Rack is defective from rock auto.
Power steering pump is bad.

 

Makes me wonder if he centered the rack properly as well. When I changed my steering rack on my Highlander, my shaft also failed shortly after due to the hard strikes I had to apply to get it off as it was rusted to the splines. (The steering would seize up at certain points due to the joint failing).

 

How can I bleed the power steering?
Rack was brand new not aftermarket.
Power steering is good.

 

You keep saying “racks” but there is only one steering rack in the RX. Did the mechanic replace the rack and pinion steering rack, or something else? Maybe he replaced the inside tie rods?

 

The brand new racks from Rockauto are still aftermarket. Not OEM, probably made offshore with cheaper materials and to cheaper tolerances.

 

That very well could be as I went thru a couple different p/s pumps......