Hi there, newbie here

I have a Lexus (04) RX300 which I have recently had a few minor niggles with.

1. When pulling away from start-up/cold there seems to be a hell of a noise coming from what I think is the steering. This morning I started the car and whilst standing outside turned the steering a quarter turn either way and this noise seemed to kick in then. Is this something as simple as topping up the power steering fluid? Or could it be something more sinister......

2. They recently installed speed humps in my street. I've noticed that whilst driving over these there is a definite 'clunk' from the rear somewhere. Anyone had experience of this? I'm yet to get under and investigate because it is -2 degrees and snowing up here in Aberdeen!!

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

The Renster

Very difficult to diagnose "net-noises" but if its a bit of a gurgling/wheezing noise it could be low PS fluid getting a bit of air through the system, check the levels first then hold on full lock either way for about 30 seconds....hopefully this should get any trapped air out, but if its a squealing noise might just be a loose belt playing up under load and cold wet conditions.

Of course it could be the power steering pump about to explode....... just kidding......hopefully.

Best regards David

Noise on turn, could be your PS pump itself? Its hard to say for sure, but check your fluid levels mate, check the ground [for leaks] and see how the car generally 'feels' - if in doubt, get it checked.

Thanks for the comments.

Checked the fluid and that was all fine, a tad on the low side but nothing to worry about.

I took her in my local Lexus dealer yesterday for a free checkover. Turns out that my rear pads are 85% worn - no biggie there. But apparently my parking brake cables are binding which is causing the noise. There are 2 of these that now need replacing aling with the pads. Obviously Lexus are looking for an extorntianate amount (£500+) to supply and fit these, therefore I am going to source the parts myself and get them fitted by my local garage and I should save near on £300!

I can get brake pads no problem. I am having problems finding the brake cables though. They are part numbers:

46420-48170
46430-48170

Been trawling all over the net for hours and can only find these from a US Website that only delivers into the US.

Anybody know where these can be sourced in the UK without going to a Lexus dealer?

Cheers

I just last week saved over £200 on a full set of brake pads fitted by my local BMW specialist I use....but the pads/parts I still had to source from Lexus!

Seems odd that Lexus reckons the noise you say happens when you turn the steering is the parking brake cables as the parking brake operates on the REAR wheels!

But then again....they are the experts

To be fair, the OP did say he was getting a *CLUNK* from the rear of the RX ...

However, the issue of the handbrake cables, they do apparently corrode. Our RX (MKII 2003/03) recently had its 60K service and we were advised that the N/S cable was seized (Part # 46430-48090) and quoted £250 to 'fix' - we have the Lexus Extended Warranty so it was covered. Not sure where you can get these parts from but this is precisely the reason why we have the Warranty - these are expensive cars to 'fix' and you cannot always source parts needed freely.

I'd give Toyota a ring and see if the cables in the Harrier are the same as the Lexus MK1 ones, maybe the MK11 also, possibly getting them at a cheaper price. Just a thought

Tried all Lexus & Toyota parts suppliers and again come up with the same issue - only avialable from the US!

I have contacted my friendly local garage. They charge £35 per hour labour against my local Lexus garage's charge of £104 per hour labour.

They do unfortunately have to source the parts from my Lexus garage but instead of paying £312 for the labour it'll only be £105 so a huge difference in overall price.

Apparently what I thought was the Power steering making a funny noise was nothing when at standstill, but when pulling away was actually the brake cables binding. The 'clunk' was assessed as 'nothing to worry about' the service guy thought it would be a bush that is a common thing to go on the RX but this was fine.