PitbullRescuer
New member
Those things are the only symptoms of a bad steering rack that I'm aware of. Other than just leaking of course.
rear axle seal
- Thread starter VA4runnerchic
- Start date
VA4runnerchic
New member
well it did have oil all over it. and the bushings he kept pulling "away" from the rod...or whatever that part is called its on. ill try to get under the truck and take a pic of it.
VA4runnerchic
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Uploading pics of my rack now....
VA4runnerchic
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VA4runnerchic
New member
PitbullRescuer
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Picture #5 is a sway bar bushing. Easy cheap fix. Steering rack is filthy but can't tell if it's leaking or just dirty. If it's not giving you problems, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Stick Figure
New member
I'll say rear main seal leak from the engine is whats causing everything to be oily. As far as the rack, you should be able to get by with throwing some energy suspension bushings on it. If you can't find them for a 4runner look them up for a Tacoma (4x4 or prerunner) and they will be the same.
I assume you aren't loosing power steering fluid, but do have to top off the engine oil once and a while?
I assume you aren't loosing power steering fluid, but do have to top off the engine oil once and a while?
VA4runnerchic
New member
well i do know i have a valve cover gasket leak. no biggie....$40 + two cases of beer fix and she's good! but the skid plate and everything else down there is covered with oil. as you can see in the pics. so i dont know if that oil is from the VCG or the R&P. and that bushing looks a little shady if ya ask me! lol i just need to narrow this **** down and fix it STAT! not tryin to wreck my baby!
VA4runnerchic
New member
No, im not losing any power steering fluid at all. and b/c of the vcg leak i do check my oil on the regular, but it hasnt been abnormally low whatsoever or discolored.
PitbullRescuer
New member
Picture 3 shows it well, look at the bottom of the trans where it bolts to the engine. See the brown oil all over it? That's right above the steering rack. I think Stick is correct, the rack isn't leaking. Most likely a leak from the rear main seal. I wouldn't bother fixing it now, it's a $2 part but very labor intensive.
That worn sway bar bushing is very common but very easy fix. I just put Energy Suspension bushings through out mine, tightened it up nicely.
That worn sway bar bushing is very common but very easy fix. I just put Energy Suspension bushings through out mine, tightened it up nicely.
VA4runnerchic
New member
ok well what the **** is up with that bushing??
PitbullRescuer
New member
It's old and worn out. No big deal, you can replace it in about 5 minutes.
VA4runnerchic
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is there any feels while driving or noises with a worn sway bar?
PitbullRescuer
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More sway. (body roll) new bushings will reduce the body roll.
VA4runnerchic
New member
gettin a 2nd opinion on my rack this afternoon...will keep ya posted!
VA4runnerchic
New member
So my rack is perfectly fine!! That inspector dude was just tryin to pull one over on me and make sale. He said its obvious...cuz no inspector would risk his license by passing a vehicle if the rack was really dangerous to drive on! So thank god im good to go! No major issues w/ my truck! All i need to get done is the vgc leak and shes golden! Oh and about the bushings...i asked him about those...he said with the really bad oil leak i have its soaking the bushings and making them swell. He suggested not to change the bushings until i get leak fixed.
VA4runnerchic
New member
Ha ha yes ;-p
PitbullRescuer
New member
Eh, I'd change it. How often do you have to add oil to the 4Runner? In other words, how bad is the leak?
Even if the bushings were soaking in oil they wouldn't expand that much.
Polyurethane bushings will expand even less and a cheap but nice upgrade.
Even if the bushings were soaking in oil they wouldn't expand that much.
Polyurethane bushings will expand even less and a cheap but nice upgrade.
VA4runnerchic
New member
actually i dont have to add oil that often at all. i just check it every 2 weeks or so and i've only had to add a quart so far.
but T there's no telling how long this leak has been going on. i just got the truck in Aug...and even then you could see all the oil caked on like its been going on for awhile.
but T there's no telling how long this leak has been going on. i just got the truck in Aug...and even then you could see all the oil caked on like its been going on for awhile.
T4R_Finally
New member
It doesn't take a lot of oil leaking to make a nasty looking mess underneath. IMO, nothing makes a good rack more attractive than a little bit of oil all over it. But I digress...
Getting the gaskets replaced shouldn't be a huge or expensive job. I agree on stopping the leak first, try to get things cleaned up, and see what you are left with.
Darnit, now everytime I'm up in VaBeach, I'm going to be staring at every white 3rd gen I see, trying to steal a peak of the rack in it.
Getting the gaskets replaced shouldn't be a huge or expensive job. I agree on stopping the leak first, try to get things cleaned up, and see what you are left with.
Darnit, now everytime I'm up in VaBeach, I'm going to be staring at every white 3rd gen I see, trying to steal a peak of the rack in it.
