Vinnie

Just replaced rack and pinion, high pressure power steering hose on my 1993 ls400. Got a problem. When you start it up, steering wheel goes back and forth very "strongly" on its own. My mechanic thinks it "possessed" and doesn't know what to do. Searched the internet and still no luck. Anyone had the same problem? Sure would appreciated any help. Car is definitely not driveable. Thanks!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

You may try running the engine with the fluid reservoir cap off and turn the steering wheel lock to lock to cycle the system. Check during the process that there is sufficient fluid. Beyond that...the lines hooked up correctly?

Vinnie

Rechecked lines and its impossible to cross them because of size difference of high pressure hose fitting and low pressure fitting. Only way to use steering wheel is with motor off. When it is on, and if you just try to move the wheel, it moves back and forth "violently". Thanks for your reply

Vinnie

Found the problem at last. The lines on the rack came crossed from the remanufacturer. Changed them around and seems to be doing fine. What a relief! Now for a new control arm and front alignment.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Glad that got worked out.

Some of the reman parts are scary in particular some "lifetime" ones. A Toyota technician on one of the AC compressors that failed showed me a handful of stuff that wasn't spec'd right. Mostly it was the cheap O-rings which caused pressure loss and eventually failure. He'd even found low quality bearings that would shred after so many miles sending metal fragments through the system. I learned then to buy true manufacture parts and new if available.