Check this out. Read through everything. Its a simple fix for 99+ models. 98 models have a different rack guide / pretensioner adjusting "bolt". Apparently the steering racks on these cars aren't that great and seem to loosen up and get sloppy. Unfortunately I have a 98 model that requires a change / update of the rack guide (the adjusting bolt). This requires removal of the rack (only for 98 models) which is expensive so I might just buy a remanufactured rack off of a higher model year and replace. Hope this helps. There are alot of contradictions but if you read the TSB its legit. Some people aren't very helpful or are rude, so I figured I'd pass along info and share to those just trying to get a straight answer.
In the first link, theres the picture of the tensioner adjustment with the inward hex bolt shape. You screw that about 1/8" clockwise. But before that, you have to loosen the lock nut (the "square-ish" shaped nut with the angled edges on the outside of the pretensioner adjustment "bolt". This is what needs to be turned counterclockwise to loosen. and that's what the guy is talking about loosening with a flathead driver and hammer). When that is loose, you can then tighten the presentioner adjustment with the 5/8 bolt "tool" he made.
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-second-...adjustment.html
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-second-...i-searched.html
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-second-...ines-fixed.html
http://www.gainrecordings.com/lexus/1998%2...8%20field%20fix
FYI - in the Technical Service bulletin (TSB) link, the "Rack Guide" is the pretensioner bolt that is turned to adjust the steering. Attached is a page from the Lexus service manual which details the rack and helps explain whats going on.
Again I hope this helps anybody out there. I spent alot of time reading through everybody's posts and putting this together.
Again, to clear things up with 98 owners, we cannot do this adjustment. The TSB is a guide for dealers to "fix" this problem by replacing the rack guide to the ones that are pictured in the other posts as the 98 rack guides look different (there is no inward hex bolt shape to insert a bolt).
SCAN2660_000.pdf