Okay guys, my power steering problem is finally fixed. All I'm going to say is if you replace the pump, ALSO replace the reservoir. My new pump has been acting strange ever since i put it on a month ago. This morning it went crazy. Called Lexus and they told me the screen in the reservoir was clogged and i needed to replace. $160.00 dollars later and 10 minutes and voila, no more problems. If anyone starts having power steering problems(whining), pull the reservoir cap off. If the fluid begins to run out of the cap, it's a bad reservoir. My new one with the cap off is perfect. Hope this saves some of you guys some problems. Total power steering investment, $ 320.00 pump/ $ 160.00 reservoir.

Shane

 

do you have any pics of the process?

 

No, I had the pump replaced by my mechanic, and i replaced the reservoir. Reservoir takes about ten minutes. (3) 10mm srews and two hoses. Pump, was to damn cold outside to do that one.

S

 

Thanks for that tip Shane! Glad you have the problem underhand.

BTW, what was the first hint or symptom that you noticed just as the power steering problem started? Was it the Whining noise?
Did the whine occur all the time, or just when the steering was being used, or at the extream IE: when you are near the full lock turn either right or left?

 

Just for the record:

My pump shot fluid out of the reservoir UNTIL I cleared the air bubble in the system!!!!! That's the primary reason for shooting fluid out. Clogged screens can also cause trouble. I pulled my reservoir, cleaned it out (black junk all over the sides can off with carb cleaner and a little work), then cleared the screen using turpentine (swishing back and forth). Then I poked a couple small holes in the screen. Voila, no problems - ONCE I cleared the air out of the system!

Don't everyone run out to the dealer assuming this is their fix! Just a heads up. You CAN pull the lid off the reservoir with a little work and see how the screen looks.

 

Your right. What's funny though is when we took the old reservoir and put it through the (Brake bath), both the high pressure side and the return side flowed fine. Something was causing a problem though. I'm just saying, for 160.00 bucs, this could be a minor repair versus pump. My original pump was only whining at start up in the morning before i replaced it. It did get progressively worse, but still could have just been the reservoir.

S

 

Shane, glad you got that fixed, i'll file that tip in my mental rolodex.
- Jon