Isf steering rack

[Dieselpete]

While re searching problems with the isf only 2 seem to crop up. 1 water pump but the 2nd is the steering rack that iv heard people pay from 3.5k to 5k for. Whilst I understand its a 50k+ car this is extremely expensive. Even if i was a millionaire id not be happy.( im not, im a dirty stinky diesel mechanic)  My question is this something you should  budget for if you keep an isf? Can they be repaired by a steering rack specialist? Or am I worried for nothing? TIA.  

[mrfunex]

I think you're worrying for nothing. Even the water pump thing isn't *that* common.

[Big Rat]

Hi Peter

I like you did a lot of recent on the model prior to buying, with at the forefront of my mind that's it's a mechanical item subject to all the variables that come with car ownership, overall reliability and build quality came out of my research time and time again.

I saw the steering rack issue on the American forums I think twice, water pumps simply weep but once replaced does not as far as my research takes me happen again, it's an improved design, in any event they do not simply fail.

If you can stretch to a car with warranty, it is a good warranty, and when I look at the issues with the RS/M3/C63 alternatives I was considering I have no doubt I made the right decision.

If you contact @Flytvr on here who has had the only rack issue he can tell you the details of how the fault manifests itself on the road, abling you to figure this into any road tests of cars that you find.

Good hunting 

Big Rat

[Flytvr]

Hi @Dieselpete

The water pump is an easy spot - apparently.

The steering rack issue - not so easy. Difficult to say how many owners have encountered the issue. I saw plenty of people on the US forum with quotes similar to "Mine sometimes does that.". So, it is possible that there are more examples out there than we are aware of. Lets also not forget that the exact symptoms have been reported on other Toyota's. It is a recognised issue via a Lexus Service Bulletin (Google  L-SB-0016-11). So, if it did occur, I'm not sure if you could push Lexus - even out of warranty?

The £3.5K was what the dealer told me it costs for the rack to be replaced. How accurate this is, I don't know. I'm also guessing that if you got the rack fitted by a non Lexus dealer, then the price would be significantly less?

Thats what I know.

If I was a betting man (which I am not), you'd have to look at the percentages. Including mine, I've heard of one other that needed the rack replaced. So, what's that, less than 1%?

I know the IS-F is so much more reliable than the competition. In fact it is more reliable than most cars, but as you said, it was a £50k+ car new. That's why when I bought mine, I was less worried about getting a deal, but happy I managed to get 3 years warranty :)