Power Steering Gear Box Input Shaft Leak: Replace Seal??

[nobb]

I have a small leak on my power steering gear box input shaft and was wondering if anyone has experience replacing the seal on this? If so, is there a part number from Toyota for the seal?

It's a pretty small leak, I'm hardly losing any fluid. The steering rack still works fine, so no point in spending $500 on replacing the whole rack.

Thoughts and experiences would be great! Thanks.

 

[jmildoc]

I have the same leak, wish i knew. would be much better on the walled to replace a $4 seal than to replace a $500 - $700 rack.

 

[nobb]

Looks like the input gear box is bolted onto the rack itself. So the gear box could be taken out and inspected. Heck, I am wondering maybe it could even be possible to take the input shaft gear box off without even having to remove the steering rack.

The mating surface between the input shaft gear box + steering rack could be cleaned then re-do that gasket (if any). Or use some RTV. My leak seems to be coming from the input shaft and the gear box. There's a mushroom shape outer dust cover, but inside must be some sort of oil seal (o-ring maybe?).

I dont have any experience with this, maybe someone can comment? Or if someone has a spare steering rack laying around, maybe they can confirm?

 

[jmildoc]

Here is a picture of mine

Only leak on the whole dang truck!!

 

[nobb]

Mine doesn't look that bad. How much fluid do you go through?

Also, it seems you are missing the rubber dust boot that should go over the seal..

I looked at the service manual and it shows there being a few rubber o-rings and an oil seal in there that you could just knock out once the input shaft gear box is removed. The service manual actually calls this box the "control valve"

I might just try some Rislone stop leak on mine.

 

[jmildoc]

Post a picture of yours.
I don't lose that much fluid but it just bothers me its leaking. I think my rack is starting to wear out too.

 

[nobb]

Since mine isn't that bad, I just siphoned out about 300mL of ATF and replaced that with some Rislone Stop Leak. We'll see how that goes.

Going to replace the bushings on my rack as I have a bit of jittering (but overall steering is tight).

 

[jmildoc]

U put ATF in yours? I put that Lucas stop leak in mine.

 

[nobb]

The stop leak I put in is designed for power steering. The existing fluid in the power steering system is ATF.

 

[sb253]

Any updates on results from a stop leak product? I have the same leak and it doesnt seem to warrant a new rack replacement

 

[jmildoc]

I didn't have any luck with a stop leak.
I replaced the fluid with transmission fluid and now I just check it once a week.

 

[nobb]

I sucked out about 4 squeezes from a turkey baster and replaced the fluid with Bar's stop leak. The power steering input seal area is still wet, but strangely, from the time I posted this thread to now...there doesnt seem to be a noticeable drop in fluid level in the reservoir.

I will keep monitoring, but I think for now it's easier to just top off if need be. I attempted to remove the power steering rack when I was doing my lower ball joints a month ago, but I couldnt manage to get the power steering lines off. They are a PITA!!!

 

[nsfour]

I have a small leak on my power steering gear box input shaft and was wondering if anyone has experience replacing the seal on this? If so, is there a part number from Toyota for the seal?

It's a pretty small leak, I'm hardly losing any fluid. The steering rack still works fine, so no point in spending $500 on replacing the whole rack.

Thoughts and experiences would be great! Thanks.

I'm in Calgary AB, Canada and I went to an oil change yesterday at the dealership. They have indicated on my report that there is a "minor steering gear box leak" and will re-visit the issue during next oil change (8,000km). So I asked the technician what kind of fix does it require and how much is the fix. The guy told me they usually replace the whole unit (I think he said including the shaft/rack) and he quoted me $1800 + tax.

Since the situation is still a "minor" leak, is there a possible small fix that a shop can do at this stage instead of waiting for another 8,000km when the problem gets worse? $1,800! they might as well just take my life!

Any help is appreciated!

 

[nobb]

Im actually not surprised with that price. Price of a new steering rack is probably $800 - 1000, then add in 2 - 4 hrs labor + $120 for an alignment.

 

[nsfour]

Im actually not surprised with that price. Price of a new steering rack is probably $800 - 1000, then add in 2 - 4 hrs labor + $120 for an alignment.

Yes, that's what they mentioned. So there isn't much I could do until one day it fails and I will have the whole unit replaced?

 

[rickyoffroadja]

any luck with this?? anyone tried taking it off anc changing the seal

 

[jmildoc]

Replaced my steering rack with an AAE off of rock auto for about $230. Works great now!!!!

 

[nobb]

How do you take those high pressure lines off of the rack? There wasnt enough space for my crows feet wrenches last time I tried...

 

[jmildoc]

I used flare wrenches I got off amazon. Took lots of patience that's for sure. That's the hardest part

 

[Mgyver1]

I have a small leak on my power steering gear box input shaft and was wondering if anyone has experience replacing the seal on this? If so, is there a part number from Toyota for the seal?

It's a pretty small leak, I'm hardly losing any fluid. The steering rack still works fine, so no point in spending $500 on replacing the whole rack.

Thoughts and experiences would be great! Thanks.

Did anyone ever find a solution to this? Looks like there is a seal that can be replaced which isn't too terribly expensive.
Steering gear & linkage gasket kit $124 - 0444535160