Catalina45

To remove the residue and ring from the power steering reservoir on my '04 LS430 I removed the reservoir and then capped the ports and filled it with lacquer thinner. I let it sit for an hour, agitated it for a few minutes and disposed of the fluid. Unfortunately, there was still black stuff at the bottom and the ring was still there (although lessened in darkness). To my knowledge about the only thing stronger than lacquer thinner would be carburetor cleaner or brake cleaner. I don't have any gasoline, kerosene or diesel at the house so I emptied a can of brake cleaner in there and the picture is after the cleaner has been sitting for about 15 minutes. I have a feeling that this may not work as I expected the brake cleaner to take the ring away almost immediately. What have you used to successfully clean the ring and what suggestions can you offer?

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

Baby bottle brushes and gasoline plug holes let gas sit aggitate with bottle brushes dump out use an air wand to blow all the crap out repeat till clean.

P.S. do not make a hole im the filter screen that is inside the housing

Also when you are done cleaning it out use fresh power steering fluid through the entire housing to get any remnants of the gas or crud left inside so it does not mess up your rack and pinion

Romanova

Was going to suggest just buying a new OEM unit until I saw the price... about $200... nope.

JffGRY706

I use carburator cleaner instead of power steering fluid, just dont smoke

Catalina45

Catalina45

After cleaning the reservoir it still contained staining and a small amount of black at the bottom. Unfortunately, the larger of the two hoses was so brittle that it tore about 1/2-inch past the nipple. I believe this picture (which was posted by a helpful member in the PS whine thread) shows the part that I need to replace as 44348F on the diagram. When I put in my VIN on Mylparts.com I believe it calls for part number 55438-50020. Can someone verify that this is the correct replacement hose?

Secondly, if anyone knows the part number of the smaller hose and can provide a link it would be appreciated. Although that hose isn't split, it is very brittle and may split in the near future.

And no, I will not replace the stained reservoir as the price is too steep.

Thanks for your assistance

https://www.mylparts.com/oem-parts/l...bC12OC1nYXM%3D

bradland

The larger hose leading to the PS pump is 44348-50020.

The other hose you mentioned is part of a hard line assembly. See diagram-
It CAN however be removed but there is a catch. It's a short section of 10mm ID hose clamped to a hard line. 10mm ID hose is very hard to find at your local parts store. They will sell you 3/8" ID hose which equates to 9.525MM. It's not much of a difference but it's just enough to make it a pain in the *** to fit especially on the fragile plastic reservoir.Again it can be done just be aware what you are getting into...

Catalina45

Thank you very much. Hopefully one of the local area Lexus dealers has 44348-50020 in stock and I can get the car back on the road.

I appreciate you going out of your way to describe the issue with sourcing 10mm hose and the problems trying to use 3/8th-inch hose. A quick internet check came back with no local results so unless a few of our local Asian tractor dealers have 10mm fuel hose in stock, I will just wait until I'me forced to replace it.

bradland

If you are able to find it make sure it is ATF compatible hose which is different than fuel hose. Also be careful as hose labeled "10mm" in a US store may still be 3/8" I D hose...

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

Just go to a autoparts store and ask for 3/8's transmission line hose, and dremel out the inside a hair problem solved.

Catalina45

Thanks to both of you. I didn't realize that a fuel hose might not be compatible with ATF. I did see that some online vendors were advertising 10mm hose but the specs showed it to be 3/8th. Since I do own a Dremel buying some 3/8th-inch transmission line will be my fallback option if I can't find 10mm hose. My Lexus parts counter person or independent mechanic might also have a source. If I find a place that stocks an ATF compatible 10mm hose I will relay the information.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

Its going to be expensive 5 feet cost me like $24, the most expensive hose they have is the right stuff it will also say atf approved or something like tbat along the side in smaller letters. It will also have like fiber woven into the hose thats the best way to describe it, you can visibly see fibers.

Catalina45

Leung

Catalina45

Thanks for all of the help. I purchased the pressure hose (44348-50020) and a quantity of two clamps (PN 90467-21010) for $49.03 and then picked up 1-foot of 3/8th-inch power steering hose from NAPA ($2.49, reused clamps for the return side). As noted the 3/8th-inch hose was a bit tight (especially on the hard line) but worked. The design of the clamps changed and they were set up in the full-open position with a metal clamp that when removed would allow the clamp to compress. Although the two were $6.52 a few extra bucks to retain the " factory look" was worth it and they were less effort to install than even worm clamps. The reservoir staining never fully got resolved but hopefully the synthetic Dexron II/III (Amsoil ATF) will clean it up. For those of you thinking about preventative maintenance this is a project you might consider as both factory hoses were "brittle" and had the pressure hose ruptured while I was driving it could have potentially taken out the power steering pump and rack and pinion unit before I could have safely exited the highway.