97 Ls400 Stiff Steering

[EMD]

This is my first posting, hope I don't do it too badly.

Have read much though it's questionable how much I have absorbed about steering. Also do not know how much of the posted information applies specifically to a 79 LS400. Any help would be appreciated. The car is less than a year old to me and I had the steering box and hoses replaced in October to pass state inspection because of leaks. A month later the pump was replaced because it quit working. The work was done at two different shops all with aftermarket parts.

Getting the car back after the pump was replaced the steering was real stiff but they said it would get loose again in a wek or so and it did but gradually it has gotten stiffer and stiffer. Not as stiff as when the pump was new and at times it feel pretty good but it's like it's messing with me.

So I took it to the shop that replaced the pump. They SAID they checked the presssures and the torque with the control wire connected and disconnedted and it was all okay. But it isn't. When I first got the car I loved the steering ...loved it. Now it is a regular to poor; hard to describe but not much fun to drive.

So I took it to the dealer who said the aftermarket steering box was the proplem and possibly the pump too. $1,100 for a steering box. Should I trust the Lexus Service Diagnosis?

Is it possible that a screen going into the gear box is the only problem? I don't know if the box is still under warranty but I do not want to go through this again or stick the mechanic with the repair just because of something he may knot know. I'm not sure my gear box mechanic has access to all the informaton he needs to get us though this and lexus is too pricy unless they are the only fix to give me that nice steering back again.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to share your experice with me.

Ed

[fblonk]

Hello,

I believe the 97 ls has a power steering valve located on the rack assembly that has a screen to filter fluid. Remove the valve and CAREFULLY remove the screen and clean it. I was having a problem with my 98 ls and was told by a Lexus lead tech that the older ones have a valve that the screen plugs and that may be my issue. I removed the valve and no screen. It is a newer style, but the 97 had the screen. It takes all of 20 minutes and the vehicle does not even need to be jacked up to access the valve.

Good luck,

Fblonk

[EMD]

Hello,

I believe the 97 ls has a power steering valve located on the rack assembly that has a screen to filter fluid. Remove the valve and CAREFULLY remove the screen and clean it. I was having a problem with my 98 ls and was told by a Lexus lead tech that the older ones have a valve that the screen plugs and that may be my issue. I removed the valve and no screen. It is a newer style, but the 97 had the screen. It takes all of 20 minutes and the vehicle does not even need to be jacked up to access the valve.

Good luck,

Fblonk

Thanks for your input. You know I had the screen checked and it was clean. I have some good news though. I took the car to a Tyota dealer who checked it out and said I needed a nother rack but when I got the car back the steering was working great. I guess I should call to ask what the mechanic did.

[SaRo]

Any further update on what your mechanic did?