Hey all,

I just got back from a trip to San Antonio from Tucson, Az in my LS400. The car ran like a champ, but the day before I took off to come back home, the steering pump started to give me problems. I already read all the PS pump thread/ stickies and well, I have to change the pump or rebuild it. For now, am going to replace the pump with a used one cause I need the car ASAP.

Anyhow, does anyone know about how long does it take to replace this pump??

Let me know please.

 

if ur competent at working on cars then it isnt overly difficult, but there is a fair bit of disassembly needed.

 

I replaced the water pump, timing belt and other things while at it a few months ago, so I guess I can do it. I just needed a rough estimate, that's all. Thanks!

 

make sure its the pump, check out my man Suneet's PS bible sticky

 

My mechanic tells me it's a 5 hour job.

Also, Lexus mechanics recommend to clean the solenoid (rack screen) as well.

Is the power steering fluid leaking or is it just tougher to steer?

It makes a difference in what to do next.

 

The fluid leaks and to be honest this is something I was expecting to happen for a while now. Its been about 4 months since I started hearing weird noises when turning, so is no surprise. I beleive is the pump cause you can actually hear this noise when the car is at idle without even turning the wheel, if you turn the wheel, the sound gets worst. The sound lessens after about 45 minutes, but you can still hear it...it's a terrible noise.

If its a 5 hour job for a mechanic that has a shop, then it'll probably be about 7 for me working in my garage.

thanks for the inputs guys.

 

Alright guys, I've been fighting with the high pressure line bolt for two days now (after work) and it seems as it is stock there because I can't get it to move a single bit. I know it suppose to be hard to turn, but I've tried in every possible angle there is and nothing. I've used PB solvent, hammer tapping and doble wrenching it and still, it just doesn't come off. I'm not weak either...

any thoughts?

 

the banjo fitting on the pump itself?

i just WD-40'd the **** out of it and let it sit for an hour.

came right off with a BIG breaker bar (1/2in head x 24in bar x 36in. steel pipe.)

 

yep, that's the one. I used what's suppose to be better than wd-40 and still didn't work.

Question: did you take the radiator out for better leverage? Maybe if I do that it'll work. It's already drained, so might as well. Let me know what you did though.

Thanks again!

 

its a 17mm wrench box end, do it under the car, raise the car as much as you can then youll have plenty of clearance with breaker bar or double wrench it, just did a friends 96 rebuilt the power steerign pump 30 bucks kit and repalce with a rebuilt rack plus a rebuilt pressure hose by a hose shop good to go

 

i didnt even drain the radiator...

i had the car up on stands and did 90% of the work from underneath

 

damn, I guess i need to eat more wheaties then...enough said, I'll make sure I get that sucker out today.

Thanks for all the help man.