Noticed a few clear oily drips in the garage the other day under the front right side of my '02 SC. Just stuck my camera under there and snapped this pic, won't get a chance to get under it for a few days. Looks like steering rack is now leaking to me. I assume I can just get a rebuilt one somewhere. Is it a difficult swap? Anyone have experience with this?

 

Yea, I bought it a few months ago from a guy who had a long gravel driveway. I haven't had it out in the rain yet so it's still got his debris underneath lol.

 

Need to replace the CV joint, not really bad.

 

There is no constant-velocity (CV) joint - these are rear-wheel drives. CV joints are needed when the steered wheels are also the driven wheels.

Seal is leaking on the rack, so might as well take care of both sides and put in a rebuilt rack. Not sure if simply changing the seals is doable on these. Changing out the rack is much easier than on most front-wheel drives (though still a bit of a job), although I haven't done it on an SC430. Certainly more room to work than on the front drivers. Don't know what the cost of a rebuilt rack is, but that would be my first choice. MIght as well change out the tie rod ends as well.

 

Hey Buddy,
USE LUCAS POWER STEERING STOP LEAK.
It works and I have used it on over 6 different cars,
I have found it to permanetly seal steering leaks.
A mechanic will never tell you because it works.
Just suck out power steering with turkey baster and put it in.
I WILL work.

 

The Lucas Stuff is worth a try. Since the pump/rack is a closed system, you can't hurt too much, and if there is just a small seal issue it just might work. By the way, keep an eye on your power steering fluid reservoir level. Also, grab the rubber bellows you photographed and give it a squeeze to see how much fluid has accumulated, and also to look for tears in the bellows. A common reason for the seals getting scored is dirt on the rods coming out of the rack due to a torn bellows/boot.

 

I'm always leery about putting additives in but this is a pretty solid endorsement and I've got nothing to lose. Will pick up some Lucas this weekend and siphon out all I can. Thanks!

I'll be checking out both boots too.

It seems the steering rack is common to a few other Lexus cars so a rebuild one is actually quite affordable. It may be a driveway swap and then get the alignment checked, hope it's that easy (usually isn't though).

Thanks guys!

 

I have had very good luck with the Lucas additive also.

Give it a try, costs very little and could save you a lot of effort and cash.