Bad luck for me. Need to replace rack and steering- Toyota price $1450- also it is a part from advance auto not OEM.
I have 2009 awd with 117000

 

What were your symptoms? Driven about 300 miles since fluid flush and steering still has stiff spots . Still don’t have any fluid loss. Don’t know if the power steering pump, rack or should wait to and do another drain and add.

 

If the fluid is p/s system has been flushed w/ proper fluid & the steering is still stiff, then I'd think it'd be the rack, kinda similar as GM's X-cars from the early '80's where the steering was stiff for for the first 10 minutes as your mentioning.

 

I didnot realize the symptoms initially. Went to Lexus for warranty work and they told me I need to change the power steering rack as it is leaking. Price was $1700
so I started to read the forum and realized that I had real difficulty turning the steering wheels at times.I just thought it is the tires or because it is so old. Went to local Toyota and changed it for $1450 .It is so easy turn the wheels now

 

Its critical to flush the p/s fluid as failure to w/ cause the flow control valves (in the rack) to stick resulting in loss of assist from the pump. Similar to flushing the brake fluid, as some ppl don't think about it....

 

You are right there. I didn’t know much about cars. Most of my knowledge is from reading the posts here, I am at 117000. Hope to pass at least 200000 miles
from now on power steering and brake fluid and transmission fluid change every 2 years. I do have to change my spark plugs and may be the struts but that’s another story

 

yea I just have to say good luck on the plugs; rear ones are a PITA! u will see what i mean when u get to that point.

 

changing plugs is ok if you have the correct simple tools and patience

For steering fluid I just use a bulb to suck the fluid from the container and refill every year

 

wrong! the rear ones are a #%$ even for a expert it would take them probably at least a couple hours to do the back ones., Ive seen it first hand.,

 

i am not an expert but do mechanical things,It took me three comfortable hours to do it,a second time was a breeze

 

So got the answer and the fix. The steering had spots in the turn that was very hard to turn, both ways. No fluid leaks. Turns out it was an “the steering column flex coupling, intermediate shaft”. Basically a shaft on the steering column that has a small u joint. The u joint was stiff when it got to a certain angle. Fixed at a local shop that is very good with steering and front end work. The part was only available from Lexus. Shaft $422, and $200 for labor.

 

Great you got it figured out......& thanx for the feedback.

 

+1 Thank you for sharing your fix and following up.

Is the part that failed in this pic and if so can you tell us what parts?
I would like to know for myself and others that may go thru these same symptoms cuz didn't think of column issues and if labor only $200 could maybe be a diy job.

 

This, the u joint was real stiff, locking. Looks like these three parts came as one unit.