Power steering bushing 03+ (1 Viewer)

[2001LC]

So what happens to the vgrs ECU when you install a non vgrs rack? Do these trucks live with warning lights on the dash forever?

Nothing! No dash VGRS light, just from installing non VGRS R&P.

 

[MongooseGA]

Based on cost"
Or
Do you have some info on gear ratio, you can share?

Cost and I believe it's fewer turns lock to lock than the LX rack.


I don't know how else to say this for those who keep asking, but you can put a Toyota rack in to a VGRS LX with no issues. The VGRS is not a part of the rack itself, it's further up the shaft. No issues as in no lights, no mechanical issues, nothing. It's a direct bolt in with no drawback.

 

[ike84]

Cost and I believe it's fewer turns lock to lock than the LX rack.


I don't know how else to say this for those who keep asking, but you can put a Toyota rack in to a VGRS LX with no issues. The VGRS is not a part of the rack itself, it's further up the shaft. No issues as in no lights, no mechanical issues, nothing. It's a direct bolt in with no drawback.

For the first part, I found this

For the second comment, my question wasn't posed out ignorance (or lack of searching). I genuinely have not find anyone else who has commented about the after effects except for "everything's great, saved some cash". I love finding little Easter eggs like this when working on old vehicles, but I've also learned my fair share of hard lessons with the approach of "hold my beer and watch this". And with how sensitive my rig seems to be in throwing codes, I'm amazed that a difference in steering gear ratio doesn't cause ECU issues.

Speaking of that though, I had another idea for the bushings that I need input on. I remember once upon a time, while researching engine mount bushings for a porsche 986, that a company made "inserts" that fit into the gaps of the bushings. I notice on our steering business, the design is similar except that the top and bottom plates cover these gaps in the rubber. When you have removed the securing bolt to remove the rack, do the top and bottom plates typically come off and expose the rubber underneath? The gap that I'm referring to can be seen in this pic.

My thought here was that it would be super easy to crawl under the truck, remove the bolts, pop the top and bottom plates, pour some urethane epoxy into the gaps, and reassemble. Minimal labor, minimal cost, and (at least in the 986) the result is a "restored" bushing.

 

[2001LC]

Seems it was the ratio noted above, that I once found in Toyota/Lexus info. Which lead me to believe, that was gearing was the only difference in VGRS R&P vs Non VGRS R&P of 03-up.

But as I said. I need or rather want, one old used VRGS rack & pinion to dissect. Then we'll know, without a doubt.
I do known: Seal kits the same, outer TRE the same, boots the same, clamps the same. Look the same, expect paint color. Bushing look the same. I'll check on preload of pinion gear, but likely the same.

As for steering ECU. It, get info from steering angle sensor, for one. Gear Ratio of R&P, makes no difference. Other than if one turns steering wheel to knuckle stops, stops turning short of stops and or changes knuckle stop thread count (how far in or out). Which increase or reduces number of turns. Sensor, just indicats change of angle (turns of steering wheel). It does not, nor are there any sensors, giving info of actual tire position in a turn. Which gear ratio effect's how much tire moves.

 

[ike84]

Seems it was the ratio noted above, that I once found in Toyota/Lexus info. Which lead me to believe, that was gearing was the only difference in VGRS R&P vs Non VGRS R&P of 03-up.

But as I said. I need or rather want, one old used VRGS rack & pinion to dissect. Then we'll know, without a doubt.
I do known: Seal kits the same, outer TRE the same, boots the same, clamps the same. Look the same, expect paint color. Bushing look the same. I'll check on preload of pinion gear, but likely the same.

As for steering ECU. It, get info from steering angle sensor, for one. Gear Ratio of R&P, makes no difference. Other than if one turns steering wheel to knuckle stops, stops turning short of stops and or changes knuckle stop thread count (how far in or out). Which increase or reduces number of turns. Sensor, just indicats change of angle (turns of steering wheel). It does not, nor are there any sensors, giving info of actual tire position in a turn. Which gear ratio effect's how much tire moves.

Thank you for the feedback. If I wind up switchimg to an LC rack (I have a small leak that I'm hoping AT205 will correct) you're welcome to mine. I'll keep you posted.

Are you able to comment about the top and bottom plates of the bushings? When you have replaced bushings in the past, do these washers typically fall off? Or do they remain imbedded in what's left of the rubber?

 

[2001LC]

Thank you for the feedback. If I wind up switchimg to an LC rack (I have a small leak that I'm hoping AT205 will correct) you're welcome to mine. I'll keep you posted.

Are you able to comment about the top and bottom plates of the bushings? When you have replaced bushings in the past, do these washers typically fall off? Or do they remain imbedded in what's left of the rubber?

in 03-up. They're not washers. They are the upper or hat part of inner metal cup.

In 98-02, the are washers on top. Actually a bushing/spacer, that must be used. Once when installing a new R&P. one washer was smaller, which i did not notice at the time. Smaller, than spec. It resulted in ripping out bushing as it pulled through. The old R&P, had replacement poly bushing. Which didn't need the large washer. Live and learn!

 

[Jack90210]

No VGRS is a Lexus product, in many lexus models. We first see on 03-07 LX470, all LC are non VGRS. All 98-02 LC & LX same R&P. In North America
The R&P's are color coded.

03-07 LX VGRS Black
View attachment 3817640
03-07 LC green
View attachment 3817639
98-03 LC & LX Blue
View attachment 3817638

I'm 90% sure, the difference between VGRS R&P and non (LC R&P) of 03-07. Is just a slight variation in gear ratio.

I need an old used VGRS Rack & Pinion, to disassemble and compare to LC. To be 100%. Any one have one?

The test to see if VGRS is working. While parked and engine idling. Turn steering wheel lock to lock (steering knuckle stop to stop) and count turns of steering wheel. ~2 1/3 turns, is working VGRS. That is to say turn full left, then count turns until full right when steering wheel stops. VGRS off or non VGRS system. We get ~3 turns. VGRS system active with LC R&P, IIRC, we get closer to 2 1/2 turns. I'll check that some day.

I dug into this some years age. It seems the gear ratio is slightly different, or so I think. Since Lexus does not sell the gears. I've never had a set to compare. The FSM doesn't give gear ratio, that I've found. IIRC I did see some reference, that made me think ratio different.

I've 3 LX with VGRS, with non VGRS R&P. They appear to be aftermarket R&P. I'll need to go out and compare lock to lock turns with my one OEM R&P 07LX.

Aftermarket R&P, is not what I would install, but they work. One feels a little loose, with a slight steering wheel wiggle. I suspect, preload on pinion gear is to light. Other than that, they're fine. They have little effect on VGRS if any, which the driver never notices. I see non VGRS R&P installed in VGRS systems often. Slee installs LC R&P in VGRS systems, for a saving to customer. They only install VGRS R&P, if requested ASFIK. Slee service mrg, thought perhaps rubber softer in mounting bushing. For the extra money Lexus charges. I don't think it's is or just, rubber difference. looking at bushing I can see a difference.

No matter if an LX or LC R&P. We still see reduce drives input on steering wheel, in slow speeds and increase in high speed. Which is the function, of the VGRS actuator. Which is inside the large boot on steering column (#1 intermediate shaft) near brake pedal.

In next two pictures, we see large boot and steering column snap ring that had come free in 03LX VGRS system. This is the reason for 03-07LX snap ring recall. This 03LX with VGRS, hadn't yet been in Lexus dealership shop, for the snap ring recall. Funny at 320K miles, it never had been recalled. Nor did it have any service history at Lexus or even any entries of service in carfax anywhere. It is, my most extensive restore to date. One day with time, I'll right it up in mud.

VGRS actuator is cover by large boot
View attachment 3817555
Snap ring had come loose and slip down shaft. Dangerous!
View attachment 3817556
VGRS Actuator (AKA #1 intermediate shaft). A $3k part at Lexus. Which is so rarely replaced. One very large and busy Lexus Dealership parts department, has not sold one in last 10 years (oldest records they have). Their service departs, sees ~100 lexus a day. VGRS is a Lexus product, and in more than just our LX470. They are very robust, built to last forever.
View attachment 3817545
Here is boot cut, after snap ring recall service. Also notice change in components above the boot on shaft and at outside of firewall. It's the only one I've ever seen where Lexus tech cut the boot open.
View attachment 3817560

The above recall was done so poorly. I got my hands the the recall TBS, with service procedure, to see how should have been done. I learned a lot, about VRGS and calibrating on this one and one other.

For one I found the kit has the fire wall seal included. This/these seal aren't being replace as required by the recall TSB. I checked all my 03-07LX, and found ever single seal was tron. This seal, prevents dust and air from engine compartment, form getting into actuator. The inner boot with its seal at top, also prevent air and dust entering cabin, and dust from footwell entering actuator.
In the above case where Lexus tech cut boot open and didn't replace fire wall seal. It create easy air passage (no back pressure due to boot cut) into cabin. This one 03LX, at the time. Had a bad cracked exhaust manifold on BK1 (DS). Exhaust fumes where filling the cabin. The VGRS dash light was on, when I picked it up. I assumed battery disconnected, and not yet driven up to 25MPH in straight line, than turns LH & RH. Which resets the VGRS. Nope it was not calibrated. So VGRS light would not go out, and steering wheel would not center. I had the hardest time calibrating it. It keep failing all attempts. Until I found ABS zero point calibrations was undone. Which zero point (ABS) must be set first and all flags cleared from VGRS. Then calibration done. This Lexus dealership sent me out in a vehicle unsafe to drive. But due to it, I learned a ton about VGRS. That and another 03LX was was helping someone else with.

Fire wall seal rip in seal. Sorry, bad lighting so hard to see rip.
View attachment 3817635

New fire wall seal
View attachment 3817611

I was helping out one 03LX owner with very strange steering issue. He had an LC R&P in his VGRS system. We though perhaps the issue had to do with the non VRGS R&P. IT DID NOT. His VGRS actuator failed. We track his "hard steering" (more than 2 1/3 turns lock to lock). Down to two incidents, where VGRS Actuator took hits. One was frontal impact accident. Lexus shop forman said; "The only VGRS actuator they ever replace, are due to accident". The second incident was, air hammer used to separate intermediate shaft #2 union, from pinion input shaft. Lexus snap ring recall TSB states: Never pound on intermediate shaft in direction of actuator (#1 intermediate shaft). His VGRS actuator was in fail safe for two years, no lights on dash indicating such. Fail safe means they lock into same gearing as would be on HWY (like LC gearing). His lock was failing and then relocking while driving. Supper rare, and due to damaged actuator from impact. He also had what was believe to be, an ABS glitches due to messing with wiring.


Rack Bushing:

I've had aftermarket rubber and poly rack mounting bushing bushing, in VGRS and non VGRS system.

The only issue I had with aftermarket rubber bushing, was in 00LX (non VGRS system) with remain aftermarket R&P. The VSC TRAC would go off hitting HWY ruts. As ruts worked to turn vehicle LH & RH in rapid succession. VSC TRAC ABS alarms would kick on/off. It wasn't just the softer rubber bushing, it was also the AHC was out of adjustment and weak globes. Also stabilizer system was in need of refresh. Which together made the front end a little squirrely. I adjusted the AHC pressure, installed poly rack mounting bushing and refreshed the stabilizer system. No more VSC TRAC ABS issues.

I take these on LX & LC on sweeping mountain HWY, pass and HWY with ruts for testing. I do so with OEM VGRS R&P, Non VGRS R&P in VGRS system, LC, etc. With new and remain R&P, aftermarket R&P. Various bushing. With about every configuration of R&P. With the rest vehicle in factory configuration. When all systems as the should be i.e. shock or AHC rams & pressure, stabilizer system, R&P bushing good, wheel bearings, TRE, ball joints and tires all to factory spec and refreshed. They hug the turns with zero body roll. The AHC system even better, as I dial in to sport mode. No VSC TRAC or ABS. A pressure to dive, no matter which R&P or bushings.

@2001LC just to clarify that 44250-60120 is indeed the correct part number for the VGRS rack for years 2003-2007. (Many Lexus online parts depts display a "this does not fit your 2007 LX470" message when I put it in my cart.)