Need opinion: '96 V6 187,500 mile maintenance suggestions please

[ryanbt]

Looking for some opinions from my fellow t4r.org members:

I dropped off the faithful '96 (no mods) for service today.
It has 187,500ish miles and last year (Oct 2010) at 180K had the timing belt changed among other things you do at that service interval.

I know it has a rack and pinion leak, the v/c gaskets have a minor leak, and the left rear axle seal is leaking. I don't want to get all 3 fixed today (getting the loose/floppy gear shift fixed today too) but in which order would any of you get these repairs done from a priority perspective?

Keep in mind, they may find other small things wrong with it today too!

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[the great him]

id do you rear axle seal. it can lead to other things going bad more so than the other two issues you mentioned.
a valve cover gasket leak only really makes a mess and you just have to make sure you keep checking/topping off(as needed) the oil level
and the steering rack same thing, just keep checking the power steering reservoir. my steering rack has been leaking for who knows how long and its been fine for me. its not a drip drip drip leak, just a weeping leak. so at this point im not too worried about it.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I agree with thekid. Do the axle seal before it causes more problems. Then I'd do the steering rack. A lot of times just re-torquing the VCG's will stop the leak. Free fix if it works, loss of 3 minutes of your time if it doesn't.

 

[ryanbt]

I love this forum! Thanks guys!

 

[LittleCaesar]

That floppy gear shifter fix is about $35~$45 DIY and takes about 20 minutes to correct.

+2 on getting the axle seal addressed first, then r&p, and then the valve covers.

 

[Yoterman87]

I agree do the axle seal and make sure to do both inner and outer seals. i did just the inner on mine and it started leaking just a few weeks later. the outer is a pain but well worth it. Also if it doesnt leak power steering fluid it isnt a toyota. lol.