LR60

2000 Rx300 Steering wheel does not return to center after turning. The vehicle tracks straight. After turning right, the steering wheel returns to the 1 o'clock position to maintain straight. After turning left, steering wheel returns to the 11 o'clock position to maintain straight. Occassionally the wheel is centered and all is well. Anyone heard off this? The rack, everything underneath has been check, nothing appears to be loose.

blueridge

How long has it been doing this? Also, is this FWD or AWD?

Fly safe....

LR60

This just started within the week. It is AWD.

salimshah

Can you please confirm that the wheels are pointing straight and the steering is 30 degrees off in the direction of last turn taken. [90degrees in 3hrs => 30 degrees in 1 hr]

This worries me. If it was permanently off in one direction, it would be at least safe to drive. With a 60 degree slop, I would not drive.

Salim

Nad1370

Rack mounts are loose.
It's possible that the steering rack slides just a liitle bit both ways as you turn the steering wheel.
Everything might seem tight but I'd double check those bolts/nuts.

I believe two 19mm bolts with 19mm nuts on each end. Rack is bolted to the subframe.

LR60

Yes, there is a 60 degree difference depending on which direction you last turned. I wouldn't call it slop, however. The steering is quite responsive and very smooth. There is no grinding or extra effort required.

I too was convinced the rack bolts were loose, but they have been checked and double checked.

salimshah

Your vehicle is telling you that there is a problem and if it is not attended to soon it can be lot worse. Safety of occupants and others on the road is at stake.

There are thing that you would post/discuss on the net/forum. Do realize, you are getting hobbyist/enthusiasts who respond. With the level of problem you are facing, it is time to go to a qualified mechanic/dealership.

The most prudent approach would be to flat bed the RX, but if if you feel liking taking the risk, drive to a nearby shop.

Salim

LR60

The vehicle is currently at an import specialist and they are completely stumped. I'm exercising all avenues in hopes someone has had an similiar experience. I've spoken with half a dozen different dealerships, all of which have had no insight into what may be causing my issues. My hope is to not start "throwing money" at the problem before it is properly diagnosed. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

salimshah

My bad.

There are 4 connection points from the steering wheel to the pinion, and all are positive lock (splines) connection. There is no give in any of them when every thing is working correctly. [other than the play in linkages, which translates to play in the steering].

Possibilities are union joint being bad, rack and pinion teeth skip, the whole rack moving. Tie rod and ball joint not secure.

The play in all of the above can be observed on the lift. If needed the shop can lift the vehicle and still have the wheels support the weight, to mimic driving conditions. As long as they mark the moving shafts against a fix body part, they can observe if the shaft returns to it or not.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Doesn't leave you with a warm and fuzzy, does it................. Tell them NAD1370's diagnosis - there should be evidence of movement if this is the cause.

bob2200

It might be time to bite the bullet and take it to a Lexus dealer, rather than having an independent try this new part and that new part. I would think that Lexus dealers (if like other dealers) have the resources of company master mechanics at the regional and national level if they get stumped. I doesn't sound like it would be that hard to find though.

code58

LR60- I did front end alignments for a # of years in the course of the work that I did. I ran onto quite a few unusual situations and I can say that I never ran onto one that I wasn't able to solve. My suggestion is you need a GOOD front end shop, not "import specialists" who work on the whole car on a lot of different brands. Jack of all trades, master of none! I say without arrogance that I bet I could find the problem, why can't they? You definitely need someone more qualified than they are at diagnosing it.

LR60

Thanks for all of the input. One final question, then I'm off to the dealership. Are there any internal valves within the rack or anywhere else that could be sticking or malfunctioning?

Lexmex

Sorry I wrote late.

There could be some internal bushings that might be giving you issues.

I'd literally check and shake every part of the rack with the two front wheels jacked up and see if you have some loose area. You could have an issue with bolts. Another issue that can crop up is the lower suspension arm bushings going on the way out. One member (I remember he is from Puerto Rico) was able to replace the bushings, but both times mine went out in Mexico I ended up replacing the arms themselves because we couldn't get the bushings off no matter how hard we tried.

salimshah

The valve problem will manifest differently. You have a situation where some mechanical component has a give. The hydraulic boost simply helps in the effort and the steering is totally mechanical. Unlike bob-cats etc where the hydraulic pressure is modulated to get the wheels to turn.

In your case you have a 30 + 30 degree of steering motion un-accounted for. Focus on that and you will find your problem. Either the linkages or the suspension.

Salim