Lexus steering too stiff

[jackcramerr]

Has anyone noticed that lexus is250 steering is too hard to turn when compared to any other car? 

[is200 Newbie]

Not really noticed a difference but I have noticed my wifes car steering is harder than the Lexus

[jackcramerr]

Not happy with mine then... I wonder if something is wrong. 

Its harder than Mazda (hydrolic) Corsa and Merc (electric) that I have driven so far. It is uncomfortable. 

What to look for ... where to start from.. 

[bazzle]

Check tyre pressures 1st.

Pump up to 38 all round min..

 

Bazzle

[Shahpor]

5 hours ago, bazzle said:

Check tyre pressures 1st.

Pump up to 38 all round min..

 

Bazzle

This^^

Hadn't really noticed how heavy mine was until I pumped up my tyres and it lightened up considerably.

Although I think Lexus recommend 34psi on the front and 38psi on the rear?  On the standard 17's anyway.

[Rebecca]

Sorry but I can't say I've noticed. The steering on my is250 feels perfectly fine to me as did my previous is220d. In fact it feels rather good compared to the mercedes e220 I owned.

[is200 Newbie]

17 hours ago, jackcramerr said:

Not happy with mine then... I wonder if something is wrong. 

Its harder than Mazda (hydrolic) Corsa and Merc (electric) that I have driven so far. It is uncomfortable. 

What to look for ... where to start from.. 

My wife has a Tigra - the Lex is way much easier to steer than hers - sounds like you have an issue ...

 

[jackcramerr]

Issue then... How to fix what to look for. 

Tyres inflated to 40 psi and 18"

[is200 Newbie]

I can only mention the basics - power steering pump and fluids - didn't mention these before as don't know what system this car has. Fluids would be the first and easiest thing to check. If fluid levels ok then a fluid change maybe as I expect this would be hydroscopic fluid and pull in moisture after time. Not sure of the fluid life but expect as with brake fluid there will be one...?

Tyres also - mine is on 17's and its 35 for the front and 38 for the rear

You could also look at the ball joint rubbers (need wheels off to do that) see if the rubbers have perished but I expect you would hear some sort of noise if that was the case - in each case, these checks can be done at no cost - you may find an issue?

Just a thought - if you are finding it difficult to turn at a low speed then you could also check to see if the calipers have seized..

[jackcramerr]

I had done calipers few months back. All good.

Didn't see anything damaged back then. 

I thought this has electric steering as I cannot find fluid reservior.

I guess will need to take it to Lexus if I cannot see anything obvious. But the steering was hard like this from day one...

[Shahpor]

Hehe, yes the car has electric power steering, so no fluid.

This is what the manual says about heavy steering:

[is200 Newbie]

Try reading the ECU on the off chance there's an error code stored.

Has it gradually got worse or just the same as from the first time you drove it?

From the list above that Shahpor has donated then you can eliminate 1, 2, 3, you can realistically eliminate 4 and 5 as you would notice issues with this leaving 7 possibilities which unfortunate for this car are all electrical. If you consider a failure of No 6 & 8 (torque and speed sensors) would have flagged up constantly on the dash, then that leaves 5 areas which narrows it down considerably. Out of these 5 I would AT A GUESS put it down to a mechanical issue and that would indicate No7 (power steering motor)

Someone else jump in here with their view but if that had gone then there would be no degradation in the operation of the steering, it would be dead and would be heavy all of the time. I would tend to look at the mechanicals first on this, the electricals second.

The Battery is fine? and your certain its definitely heavier than the Corsa you have tried... only asking as our other car is a Tigra, same chassis almost as the Corsa and the Lex is way better in steering. Also, when you done the calipers did you specifically check the rubbers as its not always obvious that they have gone - its in the list above that Shahpor has posted (lower ball joint) so could be an issue if not actually specifically checked - worth a look? 

 

[rayaans]

First thing id check is alignment. 

Sons VW polo had significant negative camber (unwanted) and needed jumping on to get it to turn. I thought it was normal when i drove it home and perhaps i was too used to Lexus steering.

Anyway i checked tyres, inner edge had worn down to the wires. Had alignment done and it's back to being light