dragongoku

A couple of years ago, I had my ES350 serviced at the dealer and they mentioned that my car has 2 issues that need to be fixed: Power steering fluid leak, rack and pinion leaking and the top engine mount was torn/worn. These fixes were going to cost me ~ $5K. Told the guy, I did not have the $$ to pay that and was it really urgent. It wasn't, but it needs to be done he said.
Fast forward 2 years later and needing to replace my tires and I'm wondering what your opinion is on getting these issues fixed. How do I know that the service advisor wasn't just telling me to fix it for additional revenue?

I'm in SoCal and planning to purchase my tires through Costco or through one of the tire dealers here. I'm budgeting $900 with install. Not sure how much to budget for the power steering fluid leak, rack and pinion leaking and the top engine mount fix.

Thank you all.

mrsteve7

Your mention of "Power steering fluid leak, rack and pinion leaking" are likely one-and-the same issue. I suspect you have just one leak in the power steering system of which the steering rack is a component.

dragongoku

@mrsteve7 thank you. How do I verify that I do have a power steering leak? Also how should I double check that my top engine mounts are worn/torn? Are these expensive fixes?
Thanks.

jkayca

Park the front of the car over a piece of white paper or cardboard. Make sure paper is as wide as the car's front and at least as long as the front. Let it sit over night. If you see an oily pink spot near one of the wheels then you probably have a power steering leak. You can also look at the power steering reservoir to see if it is low.

Depending on how bad the leak is, you may just be able to add some sealer. Otherwise, depending on what is actually leaking, it could be pricey to fix. I would find a good independent mechanic you has experience with Toyota's.

Worn motor mounts usually result in banging noise in in the engine bay or excessive shaking and vibration.

dragongoku

Thank you so much! I will do that. I don't actually hear banging noise or excessive shaking/vibration so I think its good.

Clutchless

How often have you checked your power steering fluid to confirm it is actually leaking or how fast it does leak? Dealers often overstate the condition of a mechanical issue in order to make a repair sale and meet their quota. If it has been that long and you (as I suspect) have never checked the power steering fluid and it has not run out, then it is not that bad.
The upper engine mount is easily checked and is known to fail. However as said above, any independent Toyota specialist shop can do all these repairs, if needed, for far less than a Lexus dealer. The engine mount is an inexpensive repair. It is replacing a leaking steering rack that is expensive.
If you need to find a good independent shop, try this link, it has shops recommended by listeners of the NPR radio show Car Talk https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files
If you go to advance search you can select Toyota. Use Toyota as more shops will show up than if you use Lexus and this car is the same as the Camry mechanically.

dragongoku

Thank you so much!!