Rx300 power steering pump gone

Shepherd · January 17, 2017

Hi all

Yesterday I started the car and there was this constant whine. As I moved and turned the wheel it got very loud. I parked up the car as I didn't wantto drive it like that. Checked engine oil and transmission oil and both looked at level. Coolant was good a well. Called recovery of local garage and they took it away, said it sounds like the power steering pump is gone. Car is at 104K miles. Is it something that should go so early? I seem to see posts from US where their power steering pump is going at 200k miles. I am a bit confused. Hope its just the belt or the pulley. Will find out today.

ISJason · January 17, 2017

Will be interested to know what happens

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Shepherd · January 17, 2017

Question: Does anyone know part number for the pump? I just want to search online to see what option for new, oem, used etc are there. I am guess the RX 1999-2003 pump will not fit the 2004 RX.

sorcerer · January 17, 2017

These are good people to deal with http://www.carparts-direct.co.uk/power-steering-pumps

Shepherd · January 17, 2017

Thanks @sorcerer

The number you provided matches with the Toyota Harrier. Seems like I can buy a compatible one from Hong Kong for £100 or Toyota one for around £500. Haven't heard back from garage yet.

Tyrosman · January 17, 2017

My 2003 RX300 steering pump developed a leak so I had the pump removed and sent to be reconditioned, much less cost than a replacement.

The pump is a very simple basic vane device. The only parts to cause problems, as far as I can see, are the bearings and gasket.

Shepherd · January 19, 2017

Quick update. Garage say its a bust power steering pipe/hose. They will give me part number today. They are pretty sure the pump has survived though, saying that it wasn't getting oil so should not be damaged.

steve2006 · January 19, 2017

I just hope it's not the high pressure pipe that has failed, these cost more than the complete pump!

Malc · January 19, 2017

if this is a rubber type high pressure hose then maybe a bespoke one could be made for not much cost ?

I remember ( when i had a car sales business ) a Rolls Royce we had burst a like hose and from RR was ££££000s and locally prepared cost £85 . a few years back but.........

Malc

Shepherd · January 19, 2017

Seems like it's the expensive bit. Garage said its £300 odd from the dealership. They are looking for replacement parts from Japanese specialist breakers.

steve2006 · January 19, 2017

14 minutes ago, Shepherd said:

Seems like it's the expensive bit. Garage said its £300 odd from the dealership. They are looking for replacement parts from Japanese specialist breakers.

It may be worth finding a local hydraulic pipe company locally and see if they can repair the pipe with new hose and unions.

example

http://www.mendahose.co.uk/

Another common fail is the transmission cooler pipe located at the front of the car so subjected to corrosion. On other models successfully repaired with a length of 10mm copper pipe suitably bent to shape.

Shepherd · January 20, 2017

On 17/01/2017 at 0:33 PM, sorcerer said:

These are good people to deal with http://www.carparts-direct.co.uk/power-steering-pumps

Hi

I called Lexus Leeds today and they said its £115. That felt quite reasonable. I asked them part number and they said its 44426...(sorry forgot the rest, I have it written down at work). Is there a way to see if this is the right part I am looking for. @sorcerer does your software show this? It is supposed to be the main pipe from reservoir to pump.

Cheers

sorcerer · January 21, 2017

18 hours ago, Shepherd said:

Hi

I called Lexus Leeds today and they said its £115. That felt quite reasonable. I asked them part number and they said its 44426...(sorry forgot the rest, I have it written down at work). Is there a way to see if this is the right part I am looking for. @sorcerer does your software show this? It is supposed to be the main pipe from reservoir to pump.

Cheers

Sorry for the delay, only just seen your post. Unless I'm missing it somewhere I can't see a 44426:

Shepherd · January 22, 2017

Thanks so much for your effort! This clears up a lot of things for me. I just need to confirm exactly what is leaking and then get it ordered. Seems like a lot is shared between RX300 and RX330 in states and even Toyota Camry.

Shepherd · January 24, 2017

Here is printout for RX300 from Lexus. Leaking pipe on my RX300 marked in black pen. £130 for it.

Malc · January 24, 2017

hey, I suspect it's little more than a need for some appropriate simple flexi hose and clips to take away the ludicrously complex mild steel pipework that's now " gone " from the original.

I had a very similar problem on my Ls400 last year I think and it was a relatively simple inexpensive repair by my indy !

Malc