RX 330 Pulls to Left and Power Steering Leak
02-21-12, 04:21 PM
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RX 330 Pulls to Left and Power Steering Leak
Hello,
I have a 2004 Lexus RX 330 w/ 110k miles. No other problems since purchased a few months ago, very diligent on maintenance and no accidents. Recently, the vehicle has a noticeable pull to the left when driving on highway. Tires all at consistent psi. Also, at the end of long drives (300 miles) power steering fluid is completely empty, and loud whining noise is heard. I've had to re-fill the fluid a couple of times, and same thing. No noticeable leaks in driveway when parked overnight. Are these problems related? Any ideas on potential causes? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JT
I have a 2004 Lexus RX 330 w/ 110k miles. No other problems since purchased a few months ago, very diligent on maintenance and no accidents. Recently, the vehicle has a noticeable pull to the left when driving on highway. Tires all at consistent psi. Also, at the end of long drives (300 miles) power steering fluid is completely empty, and loud whining noise is heard. I've had to re-fill the fluid a couple of times, and same thing. No noticeable leaks in driveway when parked overnight. Are these problems related? Any ideas on potential causes? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JT
02-21-12, 04:32 PM
#2
Welcome to Club Lexus.
While you are not seeing a leak in the driveway you are leaking power steering fluid from somewhere. This is not good. Best to get this to a shop for an inspection.
Previously there have been discussions of the power steering rack leaking on some vehicles. Such as:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...s-circuit.html
While you are not seeing a leak in the driveway you are leaking power steering fluid from somewhere. This is not good. Best to get this to a shop for an inspection.
Previously there have been discussions of the power steering rack leaking on some vehicles. Such as:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...s-circuit.html
02-21-12, 04:49 PM
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Thanks for the response. It looks like the steering rack leak is an expensive fix, hopefully that is not the case here. Would that also explain the car pulling to the left?
If not, I wonder if maybe a bad alignment could be causing both issues?
If not, I wonder if maybe a bad alignment could be causing both issues?
02-21-12, 05:30 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Welcome!
A bad alignment can cause the car to pull to the left.
But, I've never heard of a bad alignment causing a leak... Have you crawled underneath to see where it's leaking from?
A bad alignment can cause the car to pull to the left.
But, I've never heard of a bad alignment causing a leak... Have you crawled underneath to see where it's leaking from?
02-21-12, 07:41 PM
#5
The vast, overwhelming majority of pulls are tire related. Swap the front tires side to side and see if it changes. If it follows the tire swap, bingo. If it doesn't, swap back and go front to rear. All better? It was the tires. Beyond that, you'll need an alignment to check the thrust angle and front end adjustments.
I'm 92% percent sure your power steering rack is leaking at the passenger's inner tie rod seal. You'll see fluid all over the subframe there, and the boot will have rotted through the bottom (wide open).
Lexus will charge in the neighborhood of 3.5 hours of labor plus and alignment for the repair.
You should get your radiator checked as well.
I'm 92% percent sure your power steering rack is leaking at the passenger's inner tie rod seal. You'll see fluid all over the subframe there, and the boot will have rotted through the bottom (wide open).
Lexus will charge in the neighborhood of 3.5 hours of labor plus and alignment for the repair.
You should get your radiator checked as well.
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