Ok, I've owned my GS300 for about a year now and its always had really hard steering, it almost feels like I have a manual rack and pinion. Also, after any low speed turns the steering wheel does not like to return to center, I usually have to spin the steering wheel back in the direction I want to go. Im not too sure if these two problems are related to each other or different issues. I have daizen control arm bushings, steering rack, and sway bar bushings. Also, just had an alignment. I want to say its the powersteering pump but is there anyway I can "test" it? Could it possibly be the rack and pinion?

 

Depending on when your 1998 was made, you may have the newer steering rack with the pretensioner adjustment. It maybe that the previous owner tightened it up for a more stiffer steering, but in return, it wont return to center as much. Seach around the forum and you'll be able to find a thread on the pretensioner.

 

I've heard of the pretensioner adjustment but that would have never crossed my mind! Definately will give it a try!

 

AWSOME! GSteg, right on the money! The pretensioner was overtightened over 3/4 turn too tight! My steering wheel whips right back now. I should have thought, because the car came with full Daizen bushings from the get go and he must have tried to get rid of the dreded Lexus vibration by tightening the pretensioner prior, to the point where it would stop the vibrations completly. After loosening the pretensioner the car drives a lot smoother now too... weird.

 

The dude is amazing when it comes to diagnosing things with the GS!

 

Its been exacly 2 years. Loosening the powersteering rack tensioner helped alot but my steering is still hard and will not return unless I manually turn it back. I just recently installed a remanufactured steering rack and that helped my steering loosen up but my steering wheel still wont return. My next guess would be the powersteering pump! Would there be a powersteering filter/solenoid that could be clogged?