Really appreciate the informative post. Gives me an idea of what I'm looking at. 2 more questions if you don't mind.

1) I also noticed there after the RX330 is parked in the garage for a while (ie. few hours to overnight) there is a very strong gas smell. Doesn't always happen, but happens frequently enough where it's noticeable. What would the cause of this be, and do you know rough estimates for repair?
2) About 10k miles ago, the indy replaced the brake pads. Shortly after the car/steering wheel shakes when braking. Wife took it to the dealership and tech at the dealership said that typically pads and rotors should be changed at the same time. So the dealership tech resurface the rotors, which helped some, but the shudder is still there. Is this true of the need to replace rotors same time as brake pads?

What do you think may be causing the shudder upon braking? Any idea of cost to repair?

Edit: Add 3) Also noticed last night (24 hrs after topping off PS fluid and coolant) there is a small puddle of fluid beneath the RX. Somewhat behind the the front axles, towards the middle. Fluid looks like a thick, clear, yellow. Doesn't look like PS (as I added a bright red ATF Dexron 3 fluid) or coolant/water. What could this be?

Thanks!

 

I would recommend you take the car for an oil change at the dealer.. it's like $35 which is pretty cheap. Comes with free donuts and car wash.

Just let the adviser know that you have some issues.
They'll check your car out and give you a list of things wrong with estimates for free.
I think a thorough inspection might cost $150..
But seems like you are having a lot of issues with the car.

 

1.) I couldn't tell you without looking at it. Off the top of my head, a rodent could've chewed a hole in a vent line, but that is a long shot.

2.) I would always resurface the rotors when pads are replaced. My guess is that the other axle needs to be machined, as is is warped too.

3.) is your RX all wheel drive? sounds like gear oil. If is is, then the center diff could be leaking gear oil. Not sure of prices, or labor, but if the output shaft seal is leaking it shouldn't be too bad, only a few hundred at the most. However, if the diff needs to be removed, and resealed, then the entire tranny needs to come out, and you're looking around $1000 in labor. Make sure to keep the gear oil topped off. I've seen owners ignore the leaking diff due to the high price of repairs, and they are towed in with a locked up center diff because it leaked out all the fluid.

 

Hi there. First of all, sorry to hear of all the issues you are having with the RX330. Nice to know there is a master mechanic chiming in, very cool.

I'm just a DIYer, faux racer, track girl, who enjoys corner speed. I got my 05 with 64k miles, and I have had similar issues, over the past yr (now has 84k on it, it's my DD). you can PM me, but everything has been covered.

If you are paying a mechanic to fix it, I would consider selling it, because it's spensive.

First of all, my two comments, I don't meant to be harsh, just honest. Your coolant is nasty. Maybe the pic just makes it look worse, but wow, that's bad.

second comment, get a new indy mechanic. you have 2 or more MAJOR issues, with NO PS fluid and NO coolant and he didn't notice.

My mechanics (different ones for different cars and things) all hate me, because if I am there, something is really effed with my car or motorcycle. But they are straight with me.

The steering rack is a known issue with the car. Mine just crapped out. I went to farmers market 3 months ago, like 2 miles from my house, and as I parked perpendicular, the car shuddered, hard. what? when I got home, the res was almost empty. I filled it up, and with the car in idle, and park in the driveway, I turned all the way left and all the way right, 2x. then I jumped out, and I had a puddle of PS fluid by both front wheels. I did my homework, and was just gonna eat $1k and replace the steering rack. I read a thread here and someone put STP PS fluid leak stopper in, and it's been holding for 30k and going. Over a month, I monitored the level, and mine only leaks if I fully turn. Anyway, I threw some STP stuff in, and it stopped leaking right away. so I am in a holding pattern.

Coolant: You might not be handy, or don't have the time, but changing the coolant is pretty straight forward. I would say on par with changing the oil.

Brake Rotors: I don't want to start a flame war about street driving warping rotors. If you don't want to mess around, just put new rotors on. If you have some tools and can take the wheel off, clean the rotor - I think what's causing the shudder is build up of the old brake pad compound on the rotor. I have a shudder too on the RX, but only when the rotor is warm. anyway, brake cleaners, green scrubby pad, gloves and paper towels, wipe from the center out in a straight line. youtube it, don't need to take my word for it.

FYI - if you want to do some homework about warping a brake rotor driving street, there are pro racers that haven't warped a rotor racing, so they say, no way you can generate the heat needed to warp one on the street. Having been to the track over 50 days for cars, and literally I brake 10/10ths, I haven't warped a rotor at the track, and literally I drive at the track HARD. On the street, when I am solo, I tend to brake track style, which is later and harder (minimum distance traveled), which is the opposite of how you brake on the street, which is slow, even and light.

DIY - If I can do it, you can too. We all have a starting point learning this stuff. The golden rule: know what you don't know and STOP, punt to a professional.

I digress. PM me and we can chat, but I have 2/3 of your issues and have dealt (note that I didn't say fixed, specifically the steering rack issue) and I consider myself a pretty typical gal. It's not rocket science.