Power steering gone heavy

Loolee1992 · June 18, 2017

Hi guys just a quick question is the power steering on the isf fluid or electric steering, when I'm in manual and going to pull out onto a roundabout the steering has a little knock and feels like there is no fluid, any help would be much appreciated

emjay82 · June 18, 2017

I believe it's electric but other are probably better to confirm....

Big Rat · June 18, 2017

53 minutes ago, emjay82 said:

I believe it's electric but other are probably better to confirm....

@Loolee1992 It's is most definitely electric matey.

Bg Rat

Loolee1992 · June 18, 2017

Yeh that's what I thought, it goes really weird and makes the sound as if there is a pump on its way out if you know what I mean like a whining noise, and it also feels like there is lack of fluid (obviously if there was fluid) anyone had this or any ideas ?

Big Rat · June 18, 2017

1 hour ago, Loolee1992 said:

Yeh that's what I thought, it goes really weird and makes the sound as if there is a pump on its way out if you know what I mean like a whining noise, and it also feels like there is lack of fluid (obviously if there was fluid) anyone had this or any ideas ?

@Loolee1992 Luke if you want to pm me I have some information for you.

Big Rat

Loolee1992 · June 18, 2017

Pm'd @Big Rat

Loolee1992 · June 18, 2017

1 hour ago, Loolee1992 said:

Pm'd @Big Rat

I think

Flytvr · June 18, 2017

Yep. Electric.

There's a known design fault with the ISF rack. Not saying this it is what you are experiencing, but if you get notchy steering on the motorway, you'll need a new rack.

Rat will give you more info.

NemesisUK · June 18, 2017

41 minutes ago, Flytvr said:

Rat will give you more info.

2 hours ago, Big Rat said:

@Loolee1992 Luke if you want to pm me I have some information for you.

Big Rat

Is it not something that can be shared openly?

Flytvr · June 18, 2017

I've not go the link to hand, Ratty will have.

Basically the ISF can develop notchy steering at motorway speeds. Only solution is a new rack. Fitted by Lexus > £3.5k. There a Lexus SB covering this.

Loads of info on the Lexus ISF US forums. In addition to this I've spoken to dealers in the U.K. who were well aware of the problem.

Not just ISFs but other Toyotas suffer he same issue.

Flytvr · June 18, 2017

Just now, Flytvr said:

I've not go the link to hand, Ratty will have.

Basically the ISF can develop notchy steering at motorway speeds. Only solution is a new rack. Fitted by Lexus > £3.5k. There a Lexus SB covering this.

Loads of info on the Lexus ISF US forums. In addition to this I've spoken to dealers in the U.K. who were well aware of the problem.

Not just ISFs but other Toyotas suffer he same issue.

I've already posted all this in the past BTW so nothing new.

i will add that there have been cases where owners sell their ISFs rather than getting the issue fixed.

Loolee1992 · June 22, 2017

Thanks for all the replays I have spoke to big rat and he gave me quite useful info, my car is in the garage at the min and he is saying that my car has never had a new Battery, so every time I go lock to lock quick the bolts drop quite a bit so start with that first and if the problem isn't solved I will dig deeper. Also I won't be getting rid of the car just because of this problem all my cars I have tuned and all have had there fair share of problems trust me haha I will stick with it till it is solved

Linas.P · June 22, 2017

That is fair point, I have noticed before that steering can become heavier if Battery goes low or is faulty. My Battery has short cell so sometimes loses power unpredictably, hence steering sometimes goes heavier. Not sure if the same can be applied to IS-F

Big Rat · June 22, 2017

@Loolee1992 Luke sounds plausible by virtue the steering is an electrical system so fingers crossed it's a relatively inexpensive fix.

They are a fine car and judging by the condition of it in the pictures I've seen she's worth a dose of patience!

Big Rat

Loolee1992 · June 23, 2017

Cheers mate it is my pride and joy, hopefully be hearing back today so will keep you all updated

Loolee1992 · October 24, 2017

Right I know is been a while and just thought I'd give you all an update, the banging through the steering wheel and steering going heavy is due to when I accelerate in first gear and maybe second (not often) is the header is so close to the rack and pinion it is actually hitting, as it has wore away the heat wrap. Hopefully getting it to my mates garage to see if he can heat it up with a torch and gently pursued the header in a bit instead of cutting and welding a notch out of it as I don't want to go down that route. So to anyone thinking of getting headers just do a test fit on drivers side to see how close it is might need to modify it a little. But apart from that they are the nuts and gives the car a tottally different feel performance wise and an even better sound, I'll try and get some videos up soon as I'm doing a dyno day in mid November. Thanks for all the help and advice also

Jgtcracer · October 24, 2017

Thanks for the update, glad it's nothing too serious!

Big Rat · October 24, 2017

@Loolee1992 Yes thanx again for the update chuffed for you it’s a relatively simple fix look forward to the vids...... we like noise 😏

🐀

Schicker · July 31

Hi All I own a IS-F 500 and my steering lock started coming on and off driving on a straight piece of road, and now have no power steering at all and steering lock comes on midway on right hand down turns, anybody have some suggestions? I thought it might of been a fuse or loose wire issue but can't seem to find any loose wires or bad fuses, does anyone here have some decent information on the IS-F 500 please