ZUL8R

Hello guys,

I'm new to the forum, I just purchased a 98 ES 300 as a DD because I was tired of driving my Z in the snow, anyways I'm having a problem with my power steering and it is starting irritate me. It whines when I turn the wheels and even at idle I can hear it but only from the inside.
The power steering fluid is full, at this point I do not know what to do, any suggestions would be appreciated.

TIA!!!

Lucian

TRoyals14

yea that happens to me too....
it's fine as long as it doesn't leak, the dealership told me to ignore it unless i wanted a full new pump and assembly
it's just annoying really, it's working fine.
if you want you can go inside the steering wheel area and look at where your hoses go, if that's helpful

Pheonix

The belt isn't tight enough. Tighten/replace it.
Flush the powersteering fluid.

Lexbox

Mine has recently started doing the same thing and my fluid is also full. This is probably a stupid question but...the belt you are refering to, is that the belt that the alternator is also connected to? I bought a 100amp Highlander alternator about 8 months ago for $30 at a local salvage yard but it wasnt sufficient enough to keep the lights from dimming so I returned it. Maybe next week sometime I am going to purchase the 130amp and do a pictorial.

Pheonix

No.
The powersteering belt is seperate from the alt & A/C belt. To tighten the PS you loosen the bolts that hold the PS pump in place, then swing it out more to put more tension on it. Then tighten the bolts so it stays put.
Ya try the 130amp optional one. 80amp - 100amp < 80amp - 130amp.

S only 2-3 bolts that hold the alt in.
You will need a deep well 14mm socket & a 12mm socket. And I think a 10mm socket to get the main power cable off.

lexusk8

Lucian, the problem with the whining noise in the steering wheel is that the rubber boot inside the steering column is dry and needs lubrication. This was the diagnosis when I took this problem from my '01 ES to the dealership one time. The dealership lubed the boot up, and the steering wheel hasn't made any noise since then

dp5

I'm having this same noise in my 2000 ES and suspected this was the problem but didn't know what to do about it. What did the dealer charge you to lube the boot?

lexusk8

If I remember correctly, it was no more than $85 for parts and labor, including 1 day for a loaner car.

dp5

Well, that is certainly affordable. I'm not wanting to spend too much money on this car since I plan on trading it in for a 2007 when they become available but for $85, I think I'll take it to the dealer in the next few days and just get this taken care of. Thanks for your help.