robisconfusedd Posted March 8, 2004 Posted March 8, 2004 hey guys, i have a 1994 lexus ls400... with only 90k miles on it and earlier in the year (like around christmas) i noticed the power steering was a little looser than it usually is and since then its been getting looser and looser, now its just not as fun to drive anymore cuz it doesnt feel like i have as much control of the car.... the power steering fluid is fine and im really clueless as to what the problem could be, but anyway any help would be great! its not a big problem, it still drives and functions flawlessly beside the steering issue, otherwise i love it. :D thanks! -rob
SKperformance Posted March 8, 2004 Posted March 8, 2004 1 of 2 things either the camber is off from hitting somehting and the tires need to be realigned. Or the assist valve is getting stuck and needs to be cleaned on the side of the power steering pump.Try disconnecting the harness to the pump .It will work still but i can't remember if the cuicit is normally open of closed for boost.
robisconfusedd Posted March 8, 2004 Author Posted March 8, 2004 hey thank u! do you mayb know of some sites or pictures on how my friend and i could do that so i know a lil more about it?
JPI Posted March 8, 2004 Posted March 8, 2004 You need to have your lower ball joints check. What did you mean by loose? JPI
Em91 Posted March 8, 2004 Posted March 8, 2004 I agree with jp check your upper and lower ball joints. You should also check your tie rods.
SKperformance Posted March 8, 2004 Posted March 8, 2004 good thought jpi.I was only thinking of over boost rather than a wandering .
VBdenny Posted March 8, 2004 Posted March 8, 2004 Althought it is possible that the ball joints or tie rods could be back, I really doubt it. I suspect the stuck valve on the steering pressure system. Lexus uses variable steering reponse which makes it very easy at slow speeds and much stiffer at high speeds. Suspension points that have been know to fail are what Lexus calls the struts which are actually tosion bar looking things. I know these cause a loose feel as mine were bad at 120K. Replacing these really tightens up the steering. Another weak area is the upper control arms to which the upper ball joints are intergrated. They are magnesium wishbones and last about 125-150K Of course always rule out tires problems first.
robisconfusedd Posted March 9, 2004 Author Posted March 9, 2004 by loose i meant like, if i let go of the steering wheel it will stay in place, it wont wonder or anything, but its just really loose all the time... i agree i think it is the stuck valve..... thanks for all the help!!!
VBdenny Posted March 10, 2004 Posted March 10, 2004 Well confused, you have me confused? The steering wheel is suppose to stay in place and not wander isn't it?
flanker271 Posted March 10, 2004 Posted March 10, 2004 I think Robis meant that if you turn the wheel in one direction, it does not have a torque that makes it go back to neutral.
robisconfusedd Posted March 10, 2004 Author Posted March 10, 2004 haha yeah but skperformance was talking about the steering wondering n all up there.... unless mayb im confused more than usual..... but thanks for the help denny everything u said made like perfect sense to me... hmm not to change subjects or anything, but im kinda curious about supercharging a ls400.... do u know what available out there like that?
robisconfusedd Posted March 10, 2004 Author Posted March 10, 2004 flanker, yeah that is what it has been doing..
JPI Posted March 10, 2004 Posted March 10, 2004 If the valve is stuck you are not getting power steering assit at all. One thing you might want to do is take the reservior out and cleaning it. JPI
robisconfusedd Posted March 10, 2004 Author Posted March 10, 2004 ok, im not too familiar with power steering parts... where can i find the reservior and how should i go about removeing/clean it? if u dont mind explaining to a newbie like me? thnx jpi
SKperformance Posted March 10, 2004 Posted March 10, 2004 NO iwasn;t thinking in line at all about wandering from loose joints ,that is what jpi thought as a good suggestion. I was more along the lines of reading it as it has very little resistance in turning the wheel ,meaning the assist is being over assisted at all times to turn the wheel.
robisconfusedd Posted March 10, 2004 Author Posted March 10, 2004 hmmmmmmmmm yeah i just donno how i should take it apart or if ill screw something up.... u should come over and help me this weekend haha
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