Scary swerving issue 2001 lx470 (1 Viewer)

[awesomeissquid]

I can add some input as about 9 months ago so bought my 2000LC that the previous owner told me had the same symptoms (braking/swerving on turns with beeping and the VSC light going off) that the dealer could not resolve. They had even gone so far as to replace the brake master cylinder and some of the ECUs.

Driving the car back to my house (~8hrs) I had the issue occur once as I was passing an 18 wheeler on a turn that scared the pants off me. Getting home I did a through inspection and identified the following items as possible causes.

• Worn steering rack bushings (these were almost completely disintegrated due to a power steering leak)
• Worn ball joints (lowers were bad, uppers were okay but not great)
• Wheel bearing play (this was very severe but I did not know until I took it apart.

I went ahead and did a full front end refresh of all the bearings, ball joints, and bushings. I did not replace my steering rack nor axles, and that may have been a mistake, but time will tell. After that was all done I did have an alignment done and a zero point calibration. Since then, it seems to have fixed the issue. For my vehicle, I think the biggest contributors to this issue was the steering rack bushings and the wheel bearing play. Both of those things can lead to the wheel sensors reading different speeds from the wheels due to the amount of play. I suspect if I had an oscilloscope recording while the issue was occurring the speed sensor on the loose wheel would show the change in data it was receiving.

I would recommend doing the steering rack bushings yourself if you can. They are pretty simple on the pre-2003 vehicles. The wheel bearings are a bit tougher but definitely doable. I would bet these two things would be at least part of the issue on the vehicle. Those are the first places to start. When you are doing the wheel bearings you will be able to inspect other components as well to ensure it is all good (c-clip, abs ring, wheel speed sensor, etc). If anything else looks bad you can fix it. If after you put it all back together it’s still making the issue occur then you can look into the steering rack if it has significant play or some other things.

 

[RoughOne]

Had this issue once a while back coming home from a trip in my 01 LX470. I was cruising straight on the highway and all of a sudden it felt like it locked up with the beeping and red light. I just pulled over right away and after my heart rate settled I drove it home at 50mph instead of 65. Has not happened since. Not sure if this was before my new steering rack. Just know if it happens again I will have to let her go.

 

[jahawk]

Same issue, and it was the rack bushings.

Jim

 

[udubfl]

I had similar situation. Pretty scary for sure. For me, it was the rack bushings.

I did what couple folks said before, just did the visual inspection to see if there was any play in the rack when the steering wheel was turning back and forth. It didn’t seem much play but it definitely moved side to side. This is easily a one person check with your camera in place on the ground and recording while you are go back and forth on your steering wheel.

I thought I would have to replace my entire rack (that’s what a Indy mechanic said I had to do) but about $50 bucks for whiteline bushings and patience of removing and replacing these bushing, it’s been good.

 

[Preston3]

Going to pick up the LX470 later today. Ended up having inner tie rods replaced, one outer tie rod, wheel bearing preload set, and a rear brake job done. Hoping this resolves the issue. Will update after some driving time and report whether the issue returns. Thanks for all the advice and insight.

 

[2001LC]

Mounting Bushing replacement is needed in most all of our aged 100 series. But don't let movement of rack side to side be you only judge. Even a new OEM rack will move side to side.

I look for many clues:
Does steering wonder going down the HWY. YES/NO?
Does steering wheel not come back to center at same time wheels are straight (lag) after a turn (really bad bushing we get a lot of lag)?
Is front end lower than rear by at least 3/4" (rake)
Is alignment spot-on, with more than 2.5 degrees caster, seems best for most.
Are all ball joint good (upper, lower and TRE).
Are wheel bearing tight. So often they are not properly serviced.
Good tires with even thread wear and proper PSI.
Any play in outer or inner TRE.

Next:
Do rack bushing look split, viewed as steering turn to lock (full right or left).
Are the washer on top of rack mount bolts turned (03-07)

Is there any play in rack and pinion gears:

1. Very difficult call with boots on inner TRE, even with a helper working steering wheel.
2. If play in inner TRE or rack and pinion gears, replacing rack may be best option in the non VGRS. With VGRS racks of LX 03-07, the cost of new OEM is such (near double non), if just inner TRE bad replace those. I only use OEM only (rack, & TRE)

Is rack leaking:
Is steering rack leaking. AT-205 is great for input shafts seals. But does not work as well for out put seal (wet boots)

Whereas most racks will benefit from bushings. We waste time and money if we've a bad rack. Racks go bad in time. But we'll get much more time from rack if the power steering and front end are properly service from day one. This includes:

1. Flushing fluid regularly, the more often the better. This keeps system in great shape and avoids clogging the reservoir with gunk.
2. Keep front end tight:
3. Service wheel bearing properly, keep then tight.
4. Replace bad ball joints & TRE ASAP.
5. Do not allow oils to soak rack mount bushing. Fix all leaks and keep them clean.

But be sure to look over U-joint of steering column and intermediate shaft. Play special attention to input U-joint (where rack and intermediate shaft join) when rack has been replaced. I've seen shops damage these removing racks'.

I've been using OE rubber bushing (wish I could get OEM), the same ones rack re-builders use. Unfortunately, I'm finding a bit too soft in many cases. Whereas as poly a bit to stiff. If to soft we get wondering, unless everything else not like new. To stiff, it puts extra stress on system, especial if all else not like new.

Most shops will not install bushing. They will only replace the rack. Reason is they've learned, all to often, customer is not satisfied over longer term.