When parking and I turn the wheel to full lock quickly I can hear a funny sort of ping noise as if hitting a bar or something. I'n not sure if this has always happened and I've only just noticed it or a new occurance.
Does this happen to anyone else? Do I need to worry about it?

That happens to my IS too. Not sure what it is, but I'm assured it's nothing to worry about.

I've noticed this noice aswell. Phew, I thought my car was the only one that made this noice. Must be 'normal' then

Thanks, I feel reassured now.

I think that's the flux capacitor recharging

I seem to remember someone ( I think it was Supracharged IS) saying someting about an oil bypass in the steering system.

Flux capacitor is much more fun though!

Yes it is the steering rack... I noticed this when i borrowed an IS... turn the wheel on full lock and get a "Ping!"

i went out and checked to see wot this was

but my car doesnt do it

are you guys sure there isnt anything wrong

or maybe lexus stopped the pinging

most hydraulics make squealing noises

I used to drive a forklift truck.. that thing squealed like a pig as the fluid was pumped through the pipes!

I know they are not driving a forklift truck.. but the theory of hydraulic is very much the same.

Alot of pressure going on in that steering rack i guess.

[quote name='Administrator' date='May 2 2003, 11:36 PM']I used to drive a forklift truck.. that thing squealed like a pig as the fluid was pumped through the pipes![/quote]
Used to?....

/me looks at Steve's avatar

[quote name='Kavey' date='May 3 2003, 11:10 AM'][quote name='Administrator' date='May 2 2003, 11:36 PM']I used to drive a forklift truck.. that thing squealed like a pig as the fluid was pumped through the pipes![/quote]
Used to?....

/me looks at Steve's avatar [/quote]
Uh oh

the noise you are hearing is a bypass valve operationg and the fluid going through it.- think of a tap when u sometimes get the squeal sound, well its the same thing. there is constant hydraulic pressure from the pump and when the steering rack reaches the end of its travel range the hydraulic pressure builds up so it must be released- bypass valve opens and thus the little ping ish noise - but note that not all of the IS's do it, but i can hear when the valve etc opens when i am on full lock.

Same here - mine is more like a "ppssshhhhhh" type sound.

It's exactly as Fluff says, just the valve opening uo to relieve the pressure. Some are just worse than others. My last IS was quite loud.

I've had that 'ping!' sound too, only once, when I was turning on to my drive.

It was such a comedy sound-effect type noise, it made me laugh.

I decided at the time that it must have been a spring in the seat or somesuch thing.
Nothing to be concerned about I'm sure.

Nige