dougs 400

Hi Dougs, Was it a brand new factory steering pump or a rebuilt one? If it was a rebuilt one it seems like they didn't get the flow control valve correct. This valve can cause pressure that is too low or pressure that is too high if it is not done right. Sounds like your pressure is too high. Inside the flow control valve is a relief valve. It could have a faulty relief valve. The service manual says to change the whole control valve. Jerry Is the relief valve servicible or adjustable? Thank you for your help and reply.

A couple of months ago, I had a new power steering pump installed in my LS400. Also had to replace the high pressure hose. While it was being done, I requested that the system be flushed and the various filters be cleaned. I am not leaking any more and the PS pump is not whining, but I have a problem. The steering is very sensitive now. Extremely so. What controls the variable ratio power steering on these cars. No gearing changes were made when the repairs wer made. But it is actually much more difficult to drive now. You can sneeze and run off the road, because the power assist is so sensitive. What can I do. The mechanics say there is nothing that could have changed---that I'm imagining it. I say bull sh--. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for any answers you can give.

A number of people on this forum have commented about a "solenoid filter" on the rack/pinion assembly of a '95 LS400. Does anyone have some info or a picture of it's location? I can't find it and neither can my mechanic. Can anyone help on this situation? I have now had two pumps installed along with new high pressure lines, and still are having problems like whining and foaming. It has to be fixed, but mechanic now says it needs a rack ($1200). HELP!

I have a 1995 LS400 with about 110k miles. My second LS, and a wonderful car except for the power steering system (as was the other one). Replaced first pump in 2005 at 87,000 miles. Was good until '09 at 108,000. So had it replaced again. Now it's 2000 miles later and the old familiar whine is back and increasing. Shop doesn't understand what's wrong, but put some kind of oil additive from LUCAS in it. Ran about a month and is whining again. Now they say that the rack needs to be replaced. There are no leaks at all in the system. This is a highly regarded shop, I deal with the owner and I have trusted him with all my cars for years. But perhaps there is something he does not understand. What do you think? Paul

Thank you for your input nc211 and Pishta. It's really great when knowledgeable people will take their time to help other people who don't know as much. I now know that my Lexus dealership was probably !Removed! me around, and knew it. Just looked at my records, and I had it in to them three times for this problem (when it was still in warranty). They changed my fluid once, and said that would fix it. When it didn't, they conveniently said later that they couldn't reproduce the problem. What is the prognosis of this malady? Does it get worse with lots of miles, or just stay the same. If it doesn't get worse, I am going to have to ignore it. If it does get worse, I will have tochange the ECM. I have had the fluid changed recently, but no help. They said they changed the filter, but who knows. It was not at the dealership. I have no idea if they used T4 fluid or not. Is that of primary importance? Once again, thank you for your answers.

It is just jerking when I let off of the throttle just a bit. If I am accelerating, even very slowly, there is nothing but smoothness.

Both of the outside mirrors on my '95 LS400 have become mottled with a random pattern of darkened patches in them. Can still be used, but it is distracting. Both happened at the same time. Did I have a power surge that burned them out? What can I do other than go to Lexus shop? I don't even want to know what they cost. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

My '95 LS400 has 96,000 miles and is in great condition with the exception of a couple of irritating, transient problems. When in town between 45 and 50 mph, the transmission seems to shudder or jerk between the 3rd to OD shift. Never happens at higher speeds. This has been going on for some time with no change. Had the fluid changed and screen cleaned with no change. Anyone have a clue what this could be? Thanks for your input.

I have a '95 LS400 with 96,000 miles. It has a shudder in the driveline at approximately 45-50 mph. It seems like it goes into overdrive, then out, then in. Over 60 mph it is perfectly smooth. Anyone have any idea what is going on? Thanks for your help.

My '95 LS400 outside mirrors both became non-functional together over one evening last week. the drivers side is dark and light, sorta fractured looking, and the right side is just messed up looking in the center. Any suggestions as to how to fix?

The radio backlight is out on my '95 LS400. Dealer quotes $600 to repair, and I just can't swallow that. There must be a way for a mechanically handy guy to repair this. Hasn't anyone ever done this? I've also tried to find an aftermarket radio to replace this one. Can't find anything that doesn't look like it came off of the "bridge of the Starship Enterprise."