One of the issues with loud/not working power steering could be the screen that connects to the rack. I read a lot of people who were talking about cleaning it, but was having issues finding anyone who could provide pictures of exactly where it was.

There are tons of links on removing the rack, although you don't have to remove the rack to do this job. Regardless, if you want to remove the rack I found this very helpful

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...ement-diy.html

Picture of my old and new rack for reference:



Here are a couple of pictures of the screen etc so you can see what needs removed and where filter is located:



Here it is unscrewed out of the rack. I think I read it takes a 25mm wrench to get the very thin nut off, but I used a pair of vice grips with a towel to protect it. You have to disconnect the plug to remove it, and it's also a very tight fit with the last couple of turns as it almost wedges itself in



The filters (where my thumb is) go around the bottom of it. I think there are about 3-4 screens



Here I am scraping the gunk off my screen with a small flat head screwdriver



Hope these help anyone wanting to clean theirs.

 

Interesting!
So this was the cause of the noise all this time?

 

Well I swapped out the entire rack, so I don't know for sure. I just pulled that part apart so people could see where it was...

 

This would explain why the thinner red line fluid works well in our racks as the sludge build up lets the thinner fluid flow better.

I never even thought to check mine although it i\s working fine I will still take it off when I have it in the lift one day just as a precaution.

 

Thank you for the pics. I owe you one.

 

the gunk on the sensor would cause your steering to be harder. loss of some power steering. maybe 50% lost.? dont remember. rarely happens, but does.

 

I may be in the minority, but the one time I had my steering rack working as it should, with a clean screen on my 92 SC, felt too light, overboosted. I kinda preferred the heavier steering feel of the rack with less assist before the screen was cleaned.. lol

 

I actually never knew how to clean the screen until now.

Thanks for sharing and taking the time to upload the photos. Makes better sense to me now.

 

Glad to help guys

 

Thanks for the write up...I am in the same boat with a noisy PS system. I can't imagine getting to the screen without removing the rack. Has this been done before??

 

I just dont see how you can get to that thin 25 mm nut while the rack is installed...any Ideas??

 

Awesome Info, Ill do this while the motor is out and change the rack bushes too!

 

Thread resurrection!

My steering is making noise and I suspect the clogged screens to be the culprit. Has anyone attempted this fix with success?

 

uras300, try it then you can tell us. Good Luck

 

The part he is cleaning is the EVO unit. when thoes screens get clogged the evo unit will starve of flud and start to make noise or even fail. could also be your power steering pump. is it the kind of noise that happens when low on fluid. does the same thing when starved.