cwmoore

Good morning. My son drives a 2003 ES300 and he told me his steering wheel was getting harder to turn. I checked the reservoir and the fluid was low, so I added some and that corrected the issue. Within a few days, I checked the reservoir again and it was low again. So we got the car up on jack stands and we found a leak due to a loose clamp on the hose going from the reservoir to the pump. We tightened it and then added fluid and everything was working well for a few days.

Then, the steering started getting difficult again. I checked the reservoir and it was full. I test drove it, and there is no squeeling sound coming from the belt. So, I am thinking it it is the pump. Does this sound like a good assessment?

And if so, is it ok to drive the car for a 3 or 4 days until we can change this out ourselves? Or is this critical and I need to get it to the mechanic asap?

HomerJay

Another source of hard turning and binding are the steering shaft knuckles. Lubricate with silicone spray and see if that helps.

cwmoore

Thanks for the input HomerJay.

TopTiger

Does anyone have a diagram of the steering knuckles for a 2003 ES300 and instructions on exactly how to lubricate? Would something like WD4 or Kroil penetrating oil or white spray lithium grease be the better choice for lubricant?

LeX2K

Is @HomerJay talking about the intermediate steering shaft?
https://www.japan-parts.eu/lexus/us/...&pa=4522033270

"steering knuckles" is not an actual part AFAIK.

HomerJay

Yes, the intermediate steering shaft. They look similar to this in the diagram. I would use spray silicone or lithium grease on the center points that rotate while turning the steering wheel.

LeX2K

I didn't know this was a problem on the ES. Some years RAV4 were/are plagued by the intermediate shaft seizing up.

HomerJay

I don't know if it's a common issue, but it solved my binding issue and the steering wheel not returning to center after turning.

TopTiger

Is this visible/accessible from under the hood or is access needed from under the car? Do you have a diagram of the steering shaft to see where the joint is located?

HomerJay

Under the hood, below the left of the master cylinder.

TopTiger

Thanks HomerJay, will check tomorrow and lubricate.

Oro

I am working on a Hyundai with this problem tomorrow. They have notorious steering problems. Lubrication sometime solves the issue, but when not, a Canadian mechanic has found that tapping on the side of the u-joint can solve it (tapping modestly, with a hammer). Presumably this "re-sets" the needle bearings, and can fix some cases of binding that lubrication alone does not.

I have heard of some ES needing lubrication here; I wouldn't try the above unless that fails.

omee

Hi,
I had a similar problem with my 97 ES, even though there was no conclusion at that time, the thread which I started has a couple of comments towards the end claiming to have fixed the problem by lubricating the u joint

thread - https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...ttently-2.html

Hopefully this helps

cwmoore

Thanks Oro and Omee

TopTiger

Not having any problem but lubricated the steering u-joint on my 2003 ES300 with WD40 anyway to hopefully prevent binding. Thanks for the great thread, I'm sure it saved a lot of owners a lot of $$.