Power Steering Going Out?

[90LS400Lexus]

As some of you may recall, last winter on a cold morning, (in the 30s), I had a growling from my PS pump. No visible leaks on the outside. I added fluid and all was fine and it never growled again. This morning, I noticed that my steering was heavier than normal (no, it was not cold - it was 73° at 8am). I drove onto work. I had intentions of checking the fluid when I left, but forgot, but was quickly reminded when I started the car and went to turn to wheel and pull out and the steering wheel was even harder to turn and I heard some growling from the pump. :o The fluid looked a little low, but not much. I went ahead and poured in more fluid and it helped some, but now its full and the steering is still "heavy", or much heavier that normal.

Now my question is- is the pump going out, air in the lines, or? Also, the fluid is obviously leaking somewhere and I have heard that some of these will leak internally and a hose needs to be bypassed. How hard is this to do and does anyone have detailed step by step instructions? Would the internal leak cause the steering to be heavy, even if the fluid is full?

Tons of questions I know, but I am getting panicky because I am supposed to drive my grandmother to South Carolina in this car next weekend and its 199 miles away! I would hate to have to rent a car for 3 days. BTW - its a 1991 LS400.

Help please! Thanks.

[eatingupblacktop]

Can't remember all the details from last winter. Were you noticing anything coming out the exhaust? If so you'll need to replace the acv on the pump. Have you done a fluid change since the winter? If you haven't, then maybe it's time. Also check that the reservoir screen isn't clogged. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you should check and clean the solenoid on the rack. If it's clogged, you'll need to clean it or replace it if it can't be cleaned. If it's any of these, I'm sure you can get done whatever needs doing before next weekend. Worst case scenario, and I hate to mention it, could be your pump is on it way out. Check the pressure it's putting out. Still, a rebuild could be done by next weekend, but it'll be a little more expensive than the other items. Good luck.

[90LS400Lexus]

Thanks-

Yeah, last winter I had that white smoke someone mentioned, but I was assuming it was steam, since it was cool out. I have not changed the fluid either.

I am not very mechanical and have no idea where those screens on the pump or the solenoid on the rack you mentioned.

May end up renting a car if it does not pan out, but I really wanted to drive this $4000 car (what I have invested in it) to save money.

I guess I could do a search to find the screen and solenoid.

I am giving my mother the car soon anyway, so I need it in good order.

BTW - I drove the car back to town after I posted that and now its steering fine again and now the fluid is overfull. <_<

Can't remember all the details from last winter. Were you noticing anything coming out the exhaust? If so you'll need to replace the acv on the pump. Have you done a fluid change since the winter? If you haven't, then maybe it's time. Also check that the reservoir screen isn't clogged. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you should check and clean the solenoid on the rack. If it's clogged, you'll need to clean it or replace it if it can't be cleaned. If it's any of these, I'm sure you can get done whatever needs doing before next weekend. Worst case scenario, and I hate to mention it, could be your pump is on it way out. Check the pressure it's putting out. Still, a rebuild could be done by next weekend, but it'll be a little more expensive than the other items. Good luck.

[eatingupblacktop]

Be carefull overfilling the reservoir. You can blow a seal. Here's a link for everything solenoid and more ... it's a bit of reading, but after you're finished you'll be able to tell your mechanic exactly what to do and where! http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=24775

[90LS400Lexus]

Yeah, that would be my luck. I have the WORST luck with cars and thats no joke. Sad, considering I baby them. Maybe I should run the heck out of it? <_<

Thanks for that link. I am heading to bed now, but will check it out tomorrow. We know a couple of good mechanics that work on imports, one is a good friend of the family. He put a steering box seal in my old Mercedes for $45 last year. Maybe he can work miracles with this Lexus too.

Be carefull overfilling the reservoir. You can blow a seal.

[90LS400Lexus]

Well, I have decided to just rent a car for the trip to be safe. I have not had time to even take it to the shop and I do not think they would have time to check/repair it before we had to leave on Friday morning. Even so, if they "repaired" it, I would not trust it to go that far until I had driven it around locally to be sure it was really repaired.

I do plan on having it checked out next week by one of our mechanics. I am going to ask Tim (import specialist mechanic #1) to inspect for any leaks that I may be missing and if not, see if he will replace the fluid/flush the system, clean the PS filter and clean that solenoid. I have been reading about. I just pray to God that is not the rack leaking down onto the under engine cover and pooling in there! :o

I want to get this car in perfect working order, because I am passing it to my mother sometime within the next 4 weeks after I buy a truck. Her sole purpose for getting this car is to have a dependable car, because her 1997 Oldsmobile is junk and I do not want this car to follow suit. It (the Lexus) is already in dire need of motor mounts! The vibrations are getting worse, making the car more and more unpleasant to navigate. <_<

Thanks again ever-so much. :)

[eatingupblacktop]

Sorry to hear about all your troubles. Sometimes things pile up at the worst time. If it's worth it, all we can do is keep plugging away until we see daylight. During these times, patience and optimism seem in short supply, but In the end, you know things will be right. :)

[90LS400Lexus]

Sorry to hear about all your troubles. Sometimes things pile up at the worst time. If it's worth it, all we can do is keep plugging away until we see daylight. During these times, patience and optimism seem in short supply, but In the end, you know things will be right. :)

Thanks. Yeah and if I did not have enough troubles, I took a bad fall this evening in the lawn and have a swollen knee. I think I will be OK though. I have to pick up the rental tomorrow night... supposed to be a 2008 Accord OR a 2008 Pontiac G6 (which I hope its not). Should get better MPG anyway than my LS400. <_<

[90LS400Lexus]

I have to pick up the rental tomorrow night... supposed to be a 2008 Accord OR a 2008 Pontiac G6 (which I hope its not). Should get better MPG anyway than my LS400. <_<

Take that back... the Accord and G6 was gone. Had a choice between Subaru Outback wagon, Toyota Pruis or Honda CRV. Since I was going to be on mountain freeways, I chose the Honda CRV. Not my # 1 choice, but its a nice little SUV and figured it would be the safer of the three. Peppy too, even with the 4-cylinder. I think its 166 hp. I would have liked the Pruis for the economy, but not sure grandma would have been comfortable in it. <_<

Be back in a few days, then I will look into the LS's PS issue.

[LexSmoov]

I have a '96 LS and the power steering went out while on the highway (75mph). When it happened, the battery light came on and the air condition stopped blowing cold air. The A/C light also flashes when I try to use the A/C. Anyone experience similar symptoms? :(

[bigste]

Lexsmoov you should start your own thread but it does sound like the serpentine belt has gone.