1991 Ls400 Rack & Pinion in 90 - 00 Lexus LS400 Posted January 19, 2010 Hi: I just purchased a 1991 Lexus LS400 with 83000 km (52000miles). The car wandered when I purchased it, I had the suspension checked over by 2 different shops and everything is tight, So I had Lexus install a new Rack and pinion at a cost of $1200.00 The car has the same characteristics and problem with the new rack. If you wiggle the steering wheel in the center position with the engine idling you feel a loose spot of about 3/8" and the tires do not move. If you turn the steering wheel off the center a bit i.e. 1/4 turn and wiggle it there is a direct connection with the tires, they move immediately and the loose spot is gone. I have driven many cars with racks and they are all tight across the center line and they drive straight, you feel connected to the car. This car feels disconnected with this problem and it randomly wanders, you always have to be on top of it. I have driven a few other LS400's to try and find out what the issue is and they all have the same characteristics at the center line of the steering wheel and wander. does anyone have a similar issue. I just can't believe LEXUS built the car that way. This website is a link to autospeed in Australia, they agree and I wonder why this issue wasn't fixed by Lexus years ago. http://autospeed.com/cms/A_2524/article.html thanks LEXUS 400
1991 Ls400 Rack & Pinion
in 90 - 00 Lexus LS400
Posted
Hi:
I just purchased a 1991 Lexus LS400 with 83000 km (52000miles). The car wandered when I purchased it, I had the suspension
checked over by 2 different shops and everything is tight, So I had Lexus install a new Rack and pinion at a cost of $1200.00
The car has the same characteristics and problem with the new rack. If you wiggle the steering wheel in the center position with
the engine idling you feel a loose spot of about 3/8" and the tires do not move. If you turn the steering wheel off the center a bit
i.e. 1/4 turn and wiggle it there is a direct connection with the tires, they move immediately and the loose spot is gone. I have driven
many cars with racks and they are all tight across the center line and they drive straight, you feel connected to the car. This car feels
disconnected with this problem and it randomly wanders, you always have to be on top of it. I have driven a few other LS400's to try
and find out what the issue is and they all have the same characteristics at the center line of the steering wheel and wander. does
anyone have a similar issue. I just can't believe LEXUS built the car that way.
This website is a link to autospeed in Australia, they agree and I wonder why this issue wasn't fixed by Lexus years ago.
http://autospeed.com/cms/A_2524/article.html
thanks
LEXUS 400