maverick99

My ls430 steering is very hard to turn, needs two hands, just seems overly heavy. I drove my brothers gs and its much lighter. Took it to the dealer and they changed the rack and the pump and nothing changed. I am really frustruated. Anyone else experience this problem and have any ideas?

AlexusAnja

Did the dealer tech check the steering before and after repair to see if there was any difference? I would have suspected your issue was with the pump or a back rack, but if both were replaced, can't see why the steering would be tight unless it's an actual issue with the column getting jammed somehow. I would bring it back to tell them that issue was not resolved to your satisfaction and have them check it again.

Or, maybe you have really weak arm strength... the LS steering is probably just a notch above '80's Cadillac in mush feeling and ease to steer.

Bon

I would at least look under the hood at the power steering reservoir and see if there is any fluid in it. Perhaps they forgot to tighten something up and it leaked out or maybe they forgot to fill it up?

warminwisc

Weak arms...12 oz curls during all football games!

Basir

Their is a sensor in the steering rack next to drivers side axel check if it's getting current or noo. My car had the same problem but after replacing it the steering seemed much more lexus

StanVanDam

I recall another post here by someone asking how to make the steering heavier. There is a harness plug under the steering column, and unplugging it reduces the power assist. Perhaps yours became unplugged or the wire is broken. Likely the same thing Basir mentioned but from the inside of the car instead of from the outside.

bbtri

I had heavy steering on my LS400 and knew the pump was good. Before changing the rack I tried putting a half a pint of hydraulic system cleaning solvent and within a couple of miles the steering eased. Afterwards I flushed it out to have new fluid. You probably don't want to put solvent in a new rack though. Basir's post is probably right but gum or dirt in the system can cause that problem.

k7q

iTrader: (37)

Bring it back to the dealer. Did they put a remanufactured pump or new oem pump?

BCT

This was posted in 2012. Pretty sure it is resolved now... or one has much stronger arms by now