Shaggz

Here's a 91 LS400 engine for $699... http://www.autonetwork.org/item153505.ctlg

Finally figured it out...it's the fan bracket mounting assembly for sure. I just went to the dealer and they had the part in stock and it was clear the problem is the bearings inside of it. They wanted $238 for it, so I'm looking around to see if I can get it cheaper before dropping that. Anyone know of a good place for that part? It's part #16307-50011. As soon as I get that swapped out I should be good to go. Can't wait!!

Okay, so I was able to find a fan clutch locally for only $50 so I'm planning to do that job today. But now that I have the new clutch in hand, I am beginning to think the problem may not be the clutch. In reading your last reply, I noticed you question the spinning of the fan clutch and, actually, the cluth appears to spin as it should as I noted in a previous reply that I can spin the fan with my hand all day long. It's the pulley part of the fan bracket that does not rotate, even when I try to turn it with my hands. And yes, the serp belt is off. Does that still sound like a clutch problem or is it something in the fan bracket that's crapped out?? I haven't seen a fan bracket part from any supplier, is the dealer the only source for that part? I'm about to take it all apart and get to the bottom of the problem, just reaching out for one last bit of advice before I do :) Thanks again!!

Standard size wheels with Michelin MXV4 tires...there is no better combination.

You could also add the following, all of which I've used and most have better prices than the ones already listed...don't forget, anything you buy from AutoZone comes with a lifetime warranty. www.buyautoparts.com www.pepboys.com www.autozone.com www.partsamerica.com

It might be easier to just replace the pump. I just replaced my p/s pump and pressure hose last weekend. The hose was a royal PITA because some of the bolts are difficult to get to, but other than that it was a snap. I ordered the pump (w/resovoir- $200) and hose ($133) from www.buyautoparts.com. I started mine up after finishing the job and it was quieter than I have ever noticed. No bleeding seemed necessary. That could be due to the fact that the pump came primed with some fluid though. FYI...with regard to the pressure hose, the one I ordered did not come with mounting brackets, so I had to use zip ties until I can find a couple mounting brackets that will fit the hose. The original hose has brackets that are factory installed and can't be removed and put onto another hose. If you replace your hose you may want to consider that when you order, perhaps the supplier might have some brackets that will work with it. I guess it's possible that the noise you're hearing may be caused by a bad hose or the rack. But then again, I'm no expert, just offering up what I know from my own experience. Good luck!!

You're correct, it has nothing to do with the water pump, as far as I can tell. That was just an initial assumption. It is the second idler pulley that the backside of the serp belt goes around. To be more specific, it sits directly between the fan bracket and the fan clutch (I think), unless it is actually part of the fan clutch. But it's the pulley that's actually bolted to the fan bracket. For a visual, check out http://www.lexls.com/timingbelt.html. Step 11 in that tutorial shows 4 bolts that hold the fan clutch on. Is the pulley that those four bolts go through part of the fan clutch? Whatever the case may be, that pulley does not turn whatsoever. So I was thinking either bearings have broken down in there somewhere or the fan clutch has gone out on me. For what it's worth, I can spin the fan itself all day long with my hand. Make sense? I had it diagnosed at a Lexus dealer not long ago and was told about the p/s pump problem. In that diagnosis, there was mention of noise coming from the fan clutch, but that the bulk of the problem at that time was the p/s pump. Perhaps the fan clutch was more of a problem than the dealer led me to believe? Thanks for any help on this, I'm stuck driving a borrowed Oldsmobile (when available) until I get this fixed!!!

Take it easy VGR. You're point is quite valid, those bolts are a royal PITA. But no puller is necessary, while the bolts resisted with vigor, my pulley literally did just fall into my hands when I pulled on it after releasing the serp belt. I would expect that pulley to just slide right off in most situations without need for a special puller. I consider myself a beginner and I just finished replacing my p/s pump and pressure hose, but I don't think a power steering pump rebuild job is one that a "beginner" would typcially attempt. I guess I should have taken some photos, perhaps I'll document my adventures for others here soon. For now, I have to figure out why my water pump seems to have frozen up. I put a new serp belt on in the process and of the p/s pump replacement and when starting up after repair the new belt got hot and snapped because the pulley on the water pump wasn't moving. Any ideas???