Unresponsive Power Steering

Exdee · September 28, 2012

Started two days ago on the M25. The steering is very unresponsive and it takes some serious effort to steer the car. Had been reading about the power steering recall and rang my local dealer. He said he could not see any recalls or service campaigns due on my car. He advised I book the car in for diagnostics at 90 pounds and assuming it was the power steering rack I would have to pay the full whack.

Don't have warranty as it was a private purchase. Does anybody have any recommendations on how to escalate this or what to do?

Any estimates regarding the cost of fitting a new power steering rack?

Moral of the story: Always buy your car from a dealership. Sure I saved some money but not a happy bunny right now. :(

Arqum · September 28, 2012

Have you check the power steering fluid level?

Check that 1st. It could be low. Also turn the wheels on full lock from one direction to another. Does it make and strange sounds?

steve2006 · September 28, 2012

You have no comeback on a private sale whatsoever,there is not a lot you can do yourself apart from, as Roheel suggests, check the power steering fluid level and I assume your tyre pressures are correct?

There are also a lot of possible causes, the steering rack is one, the pump another but it could also be a seized steering or suspension joint.

I would not feel comfortable driving a car that handles like a 1962 Comma van especially if a situation occured where a fast manoevere was needed and although £90.00 is a lot for a diagnosis once you have that information you could then source any required parts from elsewhere probably cheaper and have them fitted by an independent garage again saving money.

Having said that if you have a local independent garage ask them to take a look they may give you a free estimate.

Exdee · September 28, 2012

Thanks for the reply guys. The is250 has an electric steering so low fluid and a faulty pump can be ruled out. Tyre pressures are correct. That's the first thing I checked.

I will try my local garages to see if they can make anything of it. There are no warning lights on the dash. It is quite puzzling.

Exdee · September 28, 2012

Also turn the wheels on full lock from one direction to another. Does it make and strange sounds?

Sorry I missed this. It doesn't make any strange sound on full lock.

normski2 · September 28, 2012

All the pulley belts in good order and at the right tension?

Tango · September 28, 2012

Early steering racks were susceptible to a problem that caused a 'vagueness' in steering feel and Lexus issued a TSIB to dealers to enable recalls. My IS250 was recalled and had a new rack fitted, although it hadn't suffered from the issue up to the point of change-out. Discussed on this thread and others http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=60275

Exdee · September 28, 2012

All the pulley belts in good order and at the right tension?

Hi normski,

I am afraid I am not very mechanical minded so don't know how to check this.

I have booked it in with a lexus specialist that I've read good things about on this forum; Albin B Motors

Early steering racks were susceptible to a problem that caused a 'vagueness' in steering feel and Lexus issued a TSIB to dealers to enable recalls. My IS250 was recalled and had a new rack fitted, although it hadn't suffered from the issue up to the point of change-out. Discussed on this thread and others http://www.lexusowne...showtopic=60275

Lexus have told me that my VIN was not affected by the above.

Does anybody know if it's safe to keep on driving like this till its sorted? I know it's safe on hydraulic steering wheels but there isn't too much information around regarding the electric ones

normski2 · September 28, 2012

Jamie, having just spoken to a chap who had a 250 (he is a customer, I'm designing his bedroom) he told me we have electric power steering. So if he's right, my comments about pulley tension are cobblers!!!

These modern cars eh! Next weekend I'm going to take all the engine cover panels off and take a good look for myself. I want to check out the air filter, lights and take an educational tour of the engine bay!

One thing is for sure....I'm loving the driving experience of this car. It's almost like driving around on a magic carpet....it is SO quiet.

briatore · September 28, 2012

The is250 has an electric steering so low fluid and a faulty pump can be ruled out.

Exdee, my car is not here right now, so I can't check, but I think it's not fully electric and that is has some hydraulic fluid. I could be very wrong, but I'm almost sure I saw hydraulic steering fluid tank somewhere.

Exdee · September 28, 2012

It's almost like driving around on a magic carpet....it is SO quiet.

Nicely described. :)

The is250 has an electric steering so low fluid and a faulty pump can be ruled out.

Exdee, my car is not here right now, so I can't check, but I think it's not fully electric and that is has some hydraulic fluid. I could be very wrong, but I'm almost sure I saw hydraulic steering fluid tank somewhere.

Thanks for you input. All the forums I've read so far have indicated that the steering on the 2nd gen IS is completely electric. I will double check tomorrow just in case. The first thing my dealer mentioned was checking the fluid but I just assumed he had no idea what he was talking about.

Exdee · October 5, 2012

Update: I went to Albin B Motors who in turn asked me to have a dealer do the diagnosis. Went to Lexus Croydon and paid the 95 quid diagnosis fee. They re-calibrated the torque sensors on the steering and filled the tyres up to 40 PSI. Left the dealership and the car was better. About 2ish miles later the steering started to stiffen up again and was back to its prior state.

Thinking about visiting the dealer again tomorrow now.

Dillonrabbit · December 13, 2012

Hi, I've just experienced the same problem today with my 2006 is250. Reversing out of a parking space in work, the power steering became completely unresponsive, no warning lights on the dash, no other problems with the car. Have to get it towed to the lexus garage tomorrow.

I was just wondering @Exdee what the outcome was with your car? Did you find out what was the cause of your power steering problems?

I noticed a couple of people mentioning tyre pressure, can this cause a power steering failure? The reason I ask is that I was using an electronic tyre pump at a service station two days ago and it malfunctioned and I'm pretty sure my tyre pressure is low in the front tyres. I was going to pump them at another station but just never got around to it!

One last question, if it is a problem with the electric motor, does anyone have any idea how much I might be looking at to get it fixed?

Thanks.

Exdee · December 13, 2012

Hi,

Further to this I had my geometry and suspension checked. Pretty much brand new tyres so ruled that out too. Every technician that drove my car said it drove normally. I firmly believe that the level of assist I get has changed. The steering was feather light at first. It's a bit stiff now similar to that of a BMW. I have left it for now because it's not too bad and to be honest has a sort of sporty vibe to it.

However I did plenty of research on this and the three components that could have failed are:

- Power steering ecu

- Power steering motor

- Power steering rack

The first two are not very expensive to replace. The full rack though I believe costs an arm and a leg.

If you think you are low on tyre pressure you might want to get them upto 37ish front and 39ish back. That's the first thing the garage are going to do. Excessively low tyre pressure would put more stress on your motor but I think there would be some sort of safety mechanism to prevent it from breaking down.

Good luck with it and keep us updated.

Carl911 · December 13, 2012

Sorry to hijack the thread a little but what are the official tyre pressures for the Lexus IS.

I put in around 38-40 about a year ago and my back tyres went bold in the middle so clearly over inflated yet I was sure that was the proper pressure.

Can someone clarify as currently I only put around 33PSI in front & rear.

Carl

Exdee · December 13, 2012

For 17 and 18" wheels it's 35F and 38R according to the owners manual when travelling at speeds less than 100MPH. I personally have mine up to 37F and 39R. I check tyre pressure at least once a month.

Dillonrabbit · December 14, 2012

Thank you for the quick reply Exdee.

It turns out that the part was covered by the power steering recall a few years ago and the garage have agreed to fix it for free. Car is fixed and ready to go, wont get to pick it up until tomorrow though due to work commitments. I only bought this car 2nd hand a few weeks ago, seems the previous owner was notified about the recall but never brought the car back to the dealer to get it fixed.

Very pleased about this outcome, fantastic car and a joy to drive.