]Just got my first Lexus in June (it's a 2005 RX330 with 68K) and I am brand new to this forum. Last week, I replaced all four tires (discovering some of the joys of an all-wheel vehicle and had it aligned. Approximately 3 days later, I started to feel an intermittent lack of power steering. At least I think that's what it feels like -- just not smooth on the turns, a little "grabby." Tire/alignment shop says no way they could have done anything. I read some posts and the p/s fluid is black, so I will change that today. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Do several turkey baster suction out old fluid. Add new fluid with Mobil-1 Synthetic atf. each time. Made my steering smooth as glass. Also check to make sure your belts are tight and not worn. only other thing I could think of is the rack/pinion could be the culprit. But try my suggestion`s first.

 

Thanks so much! I drained and refilled with Mobil1 ATF, and will do it again. (Saw a recommendation to use the top of a spray bottle and that worked great). No diff yet, but I will continue on that path for now. And then have those belts checked. Hope it's not the rack/pinion -- sounds pricey. I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks again!

 

Sure no problem. (I hope it`s not the rack too) But give this a chance first by getting al that old fluid outta there.

 

When I started doing mine I started with a basic DEXRON II/III ATF fluid per the manual to get some clean stuff in there. Every few months I would pump out the dirty stuff and put in clean. Just left the engine cover for that area off since I was constantly going back in there time-after-time. Even ran some Sea Foam Trans Tune to help cut some of the varnish which had built up. Was hard to read even what the level was due to the varnish. Continued with this until the fluid stayed fairly clean between changes. Only then did I switch to the Mobil 1 ATF. Did not want to waste good synthetic that was only going to be removed again in short order.

 

Welcome to Club Lexus, mcmani4.

The power steering fluid is something easily overlooked by owners, and it seems dealerships, when it comes to regular maintenance of their vehicle. If you inspect the Scheduled Maintenance section of your Owner's Manual you will see that there is not even a service interval to change out the fluid.

If I had to venture a guess, I would say a number of the power steering rack failures discussed about here at CL could have been prevented or at least delayed by a regular servicing of this essential but forgotten about fluid.

I had left it to the dealership to make sure all things like this were addressed while my vehicle was under warranty and I was busy working. Once I reduced my work schedule and my RX was out of warranty I had more time to notice neglected items such as this. After four years the fluid was black and a varnish had covered the inside reservoir and the cap.

This could take awhile for you to clear out the old stuff doing it as you are since you are only removing a little bit at a time. See my previous post. Personally, I do not recommend a power steering flush due to all the varnish which may now be in the system which may clog things up if you try to get it all out at once. Slow and steady.

 

Thanks, everyone! The turkey baster (actually, I used the squirt bottle method) WORKED! After 2 treatments, my Steering is smooth as glass again.

 

great post. I routinely changed the reservoir fluid every other engine oil change. All fluid will eventually break down, get contaminated and remember there is no filter in most PS systems.

 

I do a suck and fill on my PS fluid on all of my cars. I do it every oil change. This after an aggressive frequency of suck-fill when I bought my used Lexus'. Now they are pinkish and smell fresh.

I use this: