L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul
Procedure
Service
Category

Steering

Section

Steering Gear/Linkage

Market

USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2004 – 2009

RX330, RX350

WMI(s): 2T2

SUPERSESSION NOTICE
The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. L-SB-0107-12.
• The entire bulletin has been updated to include Power Steering Rack Gasket overhaul.
Service Bulletin No. L-SB-0107-12 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be
sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding.

Introduction

A new repair procedure and overhaul kit have been developed for repairing the power steering
rack to improve the overall serviceability and reduce ownership cost. This repair procedure only
applies to vehicles where the steering rack leak is originating from the right (passenger) side and
is the OEM steering rack assembly.
NOTE
• This bulletin only applies to North American Produced (NAP) vehicles (VINs starting with 2T2).
• This bulletin does NOT apply to aftermarket or rebuilt steering rack assemblies.
• The procedure in this bulletin is only one of several repair options which include, but are not
limited to, complete steering rack overhaul and steering gear replacement. Please use your
best judgment to recommend the most effective repair method for the customer.

Parts Information
PART NUMBER

PART NAME

QTY

04003-3810E

Power Steering Rack Gasket Kit

1

95381-03220

Cotter Pin

2

90080-43036

Exhaust Pipe Gasket

1

90917-06046

Exhaust Pipe Gasket No. 2

1

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Page 1 of 18

March 18, 2014

L-SB-0016-14

Page 2 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Warranty Information
OP CODE

DESCRIPTION

TIME

OFP

T1

T2

ST1400

R & R Steering Gear Assembly and Overhaul
Right (Passenger) Side Power Steering Rack

2.9

44250-0E010
44250-0E011

65

13

APPLICABLE WARRANTY
• This repair is covered under the Lexus Basic Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months
or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
• Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in this
bulletin.

Required Tools & Equipment
REQUIRED TOOLS & MATERIAL

QUANTITY

Hand Vacuum Pump w/ Gauge

1

Soft Jaw Attachment (Bench Vise)

1

Union Nut Wrench, 17 mm (or equivalent)

1

Union Nut Wrench, 12 mm (or equivalent)

1

Power Steering Oil (Dexron II, III, or equivalent)

As Needed

Silicone Grease

As Needed

SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS (SST)

PART NUMBER

QTY

Ball Joint Puller*

09628-62011-01

1

Rack & Pinion Holding Tool*

09612-00012-01

1

Variable Open Wrench*

09922-10010-01

2

Steering Rack Adjustment Kit
(Steering Worm Bearing Adjusting Socket)

09612-10030-02
(09616-00010-02)

1

Steering Housing Overhaul Tool Set
(Puller)

09613-22011

1

Steering Rack Oil Seal Test Tool

09631-12071

1

Vacuum Pressure Tester Seal

09633-00010-01

2

Rear Axle Shaft Bearing Remover (or equivalent)

09527-21011

1

Drive Shaft Boot Clamping Tool (or equivalent)

09521-24010-02

1

Replacer Set #1*
(Replacer 40)

09950-60010-02
(09951-00400-01)

1

Handle Set*
(Handle Assembly 100 – 4.25”)

09950-70010-02
(09951-07100-01)

1

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Page 3 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Required Tools & Equipment (Continued)
* Essential SST.

NOTE
Additional SSTs may be ordered by calling 1-800-933-8335.

Service Bulletin Overview

1. Confirm origin of oil leak.
2. Remove the power steering rack.
3. Thoroughly clean and inspect the power steering rack.
4. Remove the right side steering rack bushing assembly and install new O-ring and seal.
5. Vacuum air test the power steering rack to confirm repair.
6. Re-install the power steering rack to the vehicle.
7. Confirm by test driving and checking for leaks.

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Page 4 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Repair Procedure
Confirmation of Steering Rack Oil Leak Source

Place the vehicle on the lift to confirm that only the right side steering rack boot is leaking.
Is leak from right side of rack only?
• YES — Proceed with this bulletin.
• NO — Steering rack is leaking from the left side, both sides, or another location. STOP.
This bulletin does NOT apply. Order the complete Power Steering Rack Gasket Kit and rebuild
the steering rack assembly using the procedure outlined in the applicable Repair Manual.
NOTE
This bulletin applies only to OEM power steering racks. Do NOT use these parts or procedures to
repair non-OEM or rebuilt power steering racks.

Power Steering Rack Removal

Remove the power steering rack assembly.
Refer to the Technical Information System (TIS), applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
• 2004 / 2005 RX 330:
Steering – Power Assist Systems – “Power Steering Link Assy: Overhaul”
• 2006 RX 330:
Steering – Power Assist Systems – “Power Steering: Power Steering Link: Removal”
• 2007 / 2008 / 2009 RX 350:
Steering – Power Assist Systems – “Power Steering: Power Steering Link:
Removal”
Power Steering Rack Cleaning & Inspection

• If the steering rack housing is damaged, repair the damaged or worn parts as necessary.
• If replacement parts are NOT available or cannot restore the housing integrity/operability,
do NOT proceed with this bulletin.
• Replace steering rack housing if damaged.

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Page 5 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Repair Procedure (Continued)
Right Side Steering Rack Bushing Removal

1. Prepare the steering rack by steering the rack to the left-hand lock (clockwise).
2. Remove the steering left turn pressure tube.

Figure 1.

.

A. Remove the tube clamp from the turn
pressure tubes.

1

B. Using a 12 mm Union Nut Wrench
(or equivalent), disconnect the left turn
pressure tube.
C. Remove the 2 O-rings from the left turn
pressure tube and discard.

2

1

Union Nut Wrench, 12 mm (or equivalent)

2

O-ring

3. Remove the steering right turn pressure tube.
A. Disconnect the right turn pressure tube using the procedure above.
B. Remove the 2 O-rings from the right turn pressure tube and discard.
Figure 2.

HINT
Wrap the steering rack in cloth or
shop rags to capture any excess
power steering oil that will leak during
the repair.

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Page 6 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Repair Procedure (Continued)
Right Side Steering Rack Bushing Removal (Continued)

4. Using the Rack & Pinion Holding Tool, secure the
steering link assembly to prevent damaging the
steering link assembly.

Figure 3.

.
1

SST: 09612-00012-01, Rack & Pinion Holding Tool
NOTICE
Wrap the SST with tape before use, in order to
prevent damaging the steering link assembly.

1

5. Put matchmarks on the tie rod assembly and the
rack end.

Rack & Pinion Holding Tool

Figure 4.

.

1

1

Matchmarks

6. Loosen the lock nut and remove the tie rod assembly RH and the lock nut.
7. Remove the tie rod assembly RH.
8. Remove the 2 RH steering rack boot clips.
9. Using pliers, remove the steering rack boot No. 2 clamp.
10. Remove the steering rack boot No. 1 clamp.
11. Remove the steering rack boot No. 2.
12. Remove the steering rack boot No. 1.

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Page 7 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Repair Procedure (Continued)
Right Side Steering Rack Bushing Removal (Continued)

13. Remove the steering rack end sub-assembly.
A. Using soft jaws, clamp the steering rack end
as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5.

1

NOTICE
This step is necessary to avoid transmitting
impact to the steering rack gear
and steering pinion gear which may
cause damage.

1

Claw Washer

B. Using a screwdriver and a hammer, unstake the claw washer.
C. Using the Variable Open Wrench, remove the
right-hand rack end and the claw washer.

Figure 6.

SST: 09922-10010-01, Variable Open Wrench
1

1

Variable Open Wrench

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Page 8 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Repair Procedure (Continued)
Right Side Steering Rack Bushing Removal (Continued)

14. Inspect the left-hand and right-hand tie rod ends
for excessive wear and play. Push and pull the tie
rod to confirm condition. Replace as necessary.

Figure 7.

.

15. Thoroughly clean the steering rack assembly.

Figure 8.

.

NOTICE
Be sure to clean the inside of the rack assembly
to prevent foreign material from damaging the
rack surface (for example, when boot has torn
and allowed debris to collect around the inside
of the rack).

© 2014 Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA

L-SB-0016-14

March 18, 2014

Page 9 of 18

Power Steering Rack Leak from Right Side: Overhaul Procedure

Repair Procedure (Continued)
Right Side Steering Rack Bushing Removal (Continued)

16. Remove the cylinder end stopper.
A. Using a screwdriver and a hammer, turn the cylinder end stopper clockwise until the wire end
is visible through the service hole.
B. Using a screwdriver and a hammer, turn the cylinder end stopper counterclockwise, and
remove the wire and the cylinder end stopper.
HINT