Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. I own a wonderful 1991 Lexus LS400. The power steering fluid is leaking although I have not seen any fluid leak on the ground as of yet.

I go through a bottle of p/s fluid every 10 days. The steering isn't real bad, but it doesn't feel free like it should. Every few days when I hear noise (because of less p/s fluid) I add some more and the noise goes away.

A mechanic told me after taking it for a test drive that he felt the power steering pump is "tired" and should be replaced, if not now, within the next 10-20 thousand miles. That was simply a guess on his part as he didn't do any extensive trouble shooting.

My question is this, should I go ahead and get a new power steering pump/hoses for $500+ or should I pay the $100 to get my car thoroughly checked out first?

Also, if anybody has any suggestions of what might be going on, please chime in. I could use all the help I can get. I certainly would rather spend the $500 toward a new 50" Panasonic Plasma than spend on my car.

 

Wow a power steering problem on a first gen LS, that is unheard of...

My man do a search on power steering and you will get tons of info.

 

Could be anything from a $2 repair to a four fiqure $$ repair. You need to be able to do some diagnosis and repair / maintennce yourself or find a competent indie to do the work.

A simple problem would be the p/s return line, a $2 repair that just about anyone can do.

glenmore
1990 LS400

 

There is a sticky up at the top of forum ^^^^ check that out

 

thanks for the heads up regarding the sticky.

I hope my alternator is ok. Just bought the car 3 weeks ago and I already need a new steering pump. That's ok though, sooner or later it's gonna need to be done.