Power steering problem
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 85
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From: MI
Power steering problem
Hi, I have a 2008 RX with 78,000 miles. Yesterday the power steering at times was difficult to turn. At my normal oil change a couple of months ago they said it might be leaking. (Had been driving in snow/ rain) so I monitored the fluid level and I haven’t had to add any yet.. Found a few mentions of this being a problem with the rack assembly but no definite ideas. Is there a filter in the system? Any thoughts ??? Thanks
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 85
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From: MI
More.
The nearest Lexus dealer is an hour away so not sure if safe to drive that far to have them look at it. I have normal maintenance done at the local Toyota dealer and they have been good with that.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2019
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From: The Jet City
When I bought our '07 rx350 late November, I ended up replacing the p/s pump as it was leaking. By you mentioning it is difficult to turn, if the fluid is topped off & its difficult/hard to turn, I'd really be looking at the rack. Sounds very similar to the GM's early fwd X & A-body issues. Since you deal w/ your local Toyota dealer, I'd be going there.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,811
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
on this note i would be sure to check the high pressure line at the very back of the firewall; that line is a high pressure power steering line. one day i heard a squealing; checked my ps fluid level and the reservoir was dry and i was was like wth? so i went and had a inspection done and they found fluid had sprayed all over the bottom of my chassis because that line blew up on me and let me tell ya it was NOT cheap to have it fixed! in fact im still paying monthly on it. so i would look at that; also make sure the lines going to the reservoir are nice and tight etc.
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Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Ny
I am looking at the same problem but leakage from the boots supposedly. Lexus IS one hour away and asked $1700
i was thinking about going to Toyoyta as they are nearby. Could you let me know how much they ask for to fix it
i was thinking about going to Toyoyta as they are nearby. Could you let me know how much they ask for to fix it
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 85
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From: MI
Yes, going tomorrow morning. The thing mines not leaking, so it might be the steering rack ( which seems to be a known problem) or maybe there’s a filter or something that is plugged and just needs flushing. Praying it’s not something expensive as I just put brakes on the rear three weeks ago.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,811
Likes: 91
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Yes, going tomorrow morning. The thing mines not leaking, so it might be the steering rack ( which seems to be a known problem) or maybe there’s a filter or something that is plugged and just needs flushing. Praying it’s not something expensive as I just put brakes on the rear three weeks ago.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: MI
Good news
Took my Lexus to the Toyota dealer this morning. They checked everything out. Everything looked ok except the power steering fluid was dark. Once the truck was warmed up the steering was ok. So they did a power steering flush and everything seems ok. $109.
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From: Santo Domingo
Hello, and greetings from.the Lexus GS forums, I'm planning to get a 2009 rx 350 Pebble beach, I used to have an 04 rx330 several years ago and I remember I had the same issue with the steering, it was almost clogged and required a nice flush and cleaning the lines. Seems this is a problem for all the 2nd gen RXs, am I right?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: MI
I’ve been very happy with my local Toyota dealer. It’s only 3 blocks from my house and have done all the maintenance on my RX for 9 years. They even log the maintenance on the Lexus main. site.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
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From: MA
Hello, and greetings from.the Lexus GS forums, I'm planning to get a 2009 rx 350 Pebble beach, I used to have an 04 rx330 several years ago and I remember I had the same issue with the steering, it was almost clogged and required a nice flush and cleaning the lines. Seems this is a problem for all the 2nd gen RXs, am I right?
halfway thorough PS flush when I bought it almost 2 years ago when I changed all the fluids.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,993
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From: The Jet City
Hello, and greetings from.the Lexus GS forums, I'm planning to get a 2009 rx 350 Pebble beach, I used to have an 04 rx330 several years ago and I remember I had the same issue with the steering, it was almost clogged and required a nice flush and cleaning the lines. Seems this is a problem for all the 2nd gen RXs, am I right?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 85
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From: MI
The steering still seems a little stiff for the first 10-15 minutes. Or maybe I’m just a little paranoid about it now. Made it fine on 150 mile trip today. See what it’s like in a couple weeks when we get back from vacation and it’s sat outside in the Michigan cold for 2 weeks. I did notice that the fluid level is a little higher then the full line. Maybe 20 cc.