Rear Steering Rack failure - rebuilt/second hand parts? GS 450h F-sport 2014

[Damien7579]

Hey all,

Recently my dash lit up with DRS and other warnings and after a visit to the dealer they dropped the bad news that my rear steering rack is faulty wont take a recalibration and will need to be replaced at a cost of over 10,000GBP (just the part then there's labor) ......

So naturally, I thought I could get a second hand one from a breaker or such but this is also proving very hard - seems only the F-sport has the rear steering as an option so it's hard to come by.

I spoke to a lexus specialist who said they've not touched this unit so wouldn't be able to help but maybe there is someone out there who can rebuild it or offer an alternative suggestion. So am appealing to the GS community - has anyone else had a failed rear steering unit and had it repaired/rebuilt or replaced at reasonable cost?

Thanks,

Damien

GS 450h F-sport 2014

[rayaans]

Never heard of this issue before. Is the vehicle not under the Lexus Relax scheme or extended warranty? 

How many miles are on it? Unfortunately it's very unlikely anyone would have much experience with it. 

An option you could try is Lexus UK. They are very good and would rather a Lexus remain on the road and can massively subsidise costs of repair for unusual problems 

[Damien7579]

Yeah I am getting that a lot that it is a rare issue 😞

Around 80k miles and no warranty etc.

How do I reach out to Lexus UK - sounds like a good avenue to pursue.

Thanks!

[rayaans]

11 minutes ago, Damien7579 said:

Yeah I am getting that a lot that it is a rare issue 😞

Around 80k miles and no warranty etc.

How do I reach out to Lexus UK - sounds like a good avenue to pursue.

Thanks!

On Lexus Website. 

Does the car have full Lexus service history according to the timelines as that may be the deciding factor.

Lexus UK contact the dealer directly and find out what the issue is and if their willing to subsidise it etc

[royoftherovers]

5 minutes ago, rayaans said:

On Lexus Website. 

Does the car have full Lexus service history according to the timelines as that may be the deciding factor.

Lexus UK contact the dealer directly and find out what the issue is and if their willing to subsidise it etc

I don`t think that Tipperary is in UK. Rayaans.

[rayaans]

4 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

I don`t think that Tipperary is in UK. Rayaans.

I'm on mobile doesn't show locations but I was assuming based on this being a .co.uk site and last time I checked Ireland used euros not GBP? 

Some clarification required from OP

[Damien7579]

Yeah car has FSH. FYI I'm based in Ireland but I bought the car in UK and often visit so on my last trip took it to a UK dealer so might try that avenue as my Irish dealer made no mention of support from Lexus.

 

[johnatg]

Nice as it is to have an unusual feature, I think at this point I'd be looking at what would be involved in getting it to non-steered rear suspension spec. Just a thought! 

[cadman2k]

Is that a typo in the part cost? Assume it is 1000gbp .

I would guess the labour for a rack at another 5-600gbp at a lexus dealer.

 

[Damien7579]

25 minutes ago, cadman2k said:

Is that a typo in the part cost? Assume it is 1000gbp .

I would guess the labour for a rack at another 5-600gbp at a lexus dealer.

 

That's not a typo, the actual number is nearly 11k with VAT for just the rear steering assembly. 

This is why I'm looking for options. Ideally I am hoping it's possible to have the system disabled and not show a fault so I can pass my MOT equivalent here, but Lexus said they can't do that understandably. 

[Damien7579]

2 hours ago, johnatg said:

Nice as it is to have an unusual feature, I think at this point I'd be looking at what would be involved in getting it to non-steered rear suspension spec. Just a thought! 

 

This is what I am looking into - I asked Lexus and they said they wouldn't be able to but wondering if anyone else can suggest who might? 

[NemesisUK]

You say the rack "won't take a recalibtation", that sounds like an electronic problem/failure. Surely just the control module and or sensor(s) needs replacing/repair?

[Damien7579]

1 hour ago, NemesisUK said:

You say the rack "won't take a recalibtation", that sounds like an electronic problem/failure. Surely just the control module and or sensor(s) needs replacing/repair?

There are no spares for the any part of the rear steering rack  - you have to buy the entire unit if it fails anywhere according to lexus. I checked their spares and this appears to be legit. I've tried breakers/salvage etc but nothing so far. It seems beyond crazy that this is what they've done. 

[rayaans]

It's extremely unlikely that a part like this would come up on eBay or salvage yards. 

I think the only realistic option is to try to contact Lexus Ireland customer services and explain the cost is ridiculous and nearly 50% of the cars value . Lexus do have a scheme to keep cars on the road and I think they should subsidise it.

[J Henderson]

There must be a company out there somewhere with experience of repairing or rebuilding these rear-wheel steering systems?

Perhaps a Porsche specialist since a few of their cars have featured 4WS over the years. Or, maybe just a regular steering rack specialist?

[rayaans]

1 hour ago, J Henderson said:

There must be a company out there somewhere with experience of repairing or rebuilding these rear-wheel steering systems?

Perhaps a Porsche specialist since a few of their cars have featured 4WS over the years. Or, maybe just a regular steering rack specialist?

The issue is that there wont be many people to take this on as its a very rare car in the first place. Additionally, they'll still need parts and the whole rear axle steering unit comes as a whole for the GS450h

Someone in the US talked about disconnecting it and aligning the car so it just works like a normal car but no idea on how to do this. 

You could try these chaps. I can remember ordering an IS300h stereo unit which I couldnt find elsewhere

http://www.lexusbreakers.co.uk/

[NemesisUK]

Found on eBay for the GS-F, so they do come up?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333739677140?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338353466&toolid=20006%26customid%3Ds%3AGS%3Bgc%3ACj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYutqIkt_oUJmkLmIXAB2De-nwpDIGBcAjVb__DLvHHgQ-X5oadJVyRsaAhOmEALw_wcB%3Bpt%3A1%3Bchoc%3A2&customid=s%3AGS%3Bgc%3ACj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYutqIkt_oUJmkLmIXAB2De-nwpDIGBcAjVb__DLvHHgQ-X5oadJVyRsaAhOmEALw_wcB%3Bpt%3A1%3Bchoc%3A1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYutqIkt_oUJmkLmIXAB2De-nwpDIGBcAjVb__DLvHHgQ-X5oadJVyRsaAhOmEALw_wcB

But there must be a separate electronic control module? Unless it works in conjunction with the front control module. To junk the whole mechanical bit for a failure in what appears to be a programming failure seems madness!

[rayaans]

36 minutes ago, NemesisUK said:

Found on eBay for the GS-F, so they do come up?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333739677140?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338353466&toolid=20006%26customid%3Ds%3AGS%3Bgc%3ACj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYutqIkt_oUJmkLmIXAB2De-nwpDIGBcAjVb__DLvHHgQ-X5oadJVyRsaAhOmEALw_wcB%3Bpt%3A1%3Bchoc%3A2&customid=s%3AGS%3Bgc%3ACj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYutqIkt_oUJmkLmIXAB2De-nwpDIGBcAjVb__DLvHHgQ-X5oadJVyRsaAhOmEALw_wcB%3Bpt%3A1%3Bchoc%3A1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYutqIkt_oUJmkLmIXAB2De-nwpDIGBcAjVb__DLvHHgQ-X5oadJVyRsaAhOmEALw_wcB

But there must be a separate electronic control module? Unless it works in conjunction with the front control module. To junk the whole mechanical bit for a failure in what appears to be a programming failure seems madness!

I don't think the GSF has rear wheel steering though?

[Damien7579]

6 hours ago, rayaans said:

The issue is that there wont be many people to take this on as its a very rare car in the first place. Additionally, they'll still need parts and the whole rear axle steering unit comes as a whole for the GS450h

Someone in the US talked about disconnecting it and aligning the car so it just works like a normal car but no idea on how to do this. 

You could try these chaps. I can remember ordering an IS300h stereo unit which I couldnt find elsewhere

http://www.lexusbreakers.co.uk/

At this point just disconnecting it and ensuring the dashboard stops showing the warning signs would do for me but finding someone here/UK to do that is the ask. I just want to keep the car on the road, and pass my MOT equiv. at this stage without spending 50% of the cars value... 

I have reached out to lexus breakers before and they thought they had the piece but when I called them to confirm/pay they realised they'd got it wrong and had never seen one in their yard before. I've reached out again as that was a month or so ago.

I will also try Lexus Ireland direct and see how helpful they are.

thanks for the feedback/suggestions so far everyone.

[serbarry]

Have you tried partfinder.ie? Sorry I actually checked and there is not any GS450H after 2008. 

[bigglesfllesundone]

This is a long shot, but it appears from this trail;

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-4th-gen-2013-2020/975640-malfunction-issues-after-lowering-car.html
 

That the car needs the rear wheels lifted off the ground for calibration to be done. As far as I can see only GS f-sport and LC have dynamic rear steering and so there is a vague possibility of the dealer not following correct procedure, if No experience and/or Techstream/Lexus procedures not followed?

[Linas.P]

Just to clarify one point - Lexus Relax is "global" policy ( global meaning - available in all countries where Lexus officially sells cars). If your car is FLSH and it has been less than 1 year since last service with Lexus and you drove the car for less than 10k miles, it should be under warranty. The next question - is rear steering rack covered by this warranty?! I don't know, they may try to put it on "wear and tear" items (like most of suspension components), but considering the cost I would argue with them. As well, considering how rare the problem is and because it is likely not mechanically worn, rather faulty electronics, perhaps it is possible to argue it should be warranted.

https://www.lexus.eu/owners/warranty/lexus-relax/?lexReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F#watch-film

So have you mentioned the warranty and have they specifically said car is either not warranted, or the part is not covered? 

 

[bigglesfllesundone]

This is a long shot, but it appears from this trail;

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-4th-gen-2013-2020/975640-malfunction-issues-after-lowering-car.html
 

That the car needs the rear wheels lifted off the ground for calibration to be done. As far as I can see only GS f-sport and LC have dynamic rear steering and so there is a vague possibility of the dealer not following correct procedure, if No experience and/or Techstream/Lexus procedures not followed?

[bigglesfllesundone]

Rear steering for GSF is different and cheaper $1600, to GS fsport $6500, on US spares site

[Initial P]

Only on pre-facelift model F sport 450h models too I believe.

Maybe the Battery pack was lighter on later versions.