Steering rack leak idea

[talkstometal]

I bought a 260k mile 4runner and its rack was leaking. it was mainly leaking out the drivers side. I drove it and kept replacing the fluid. it would leak a small puddle on floor daily.

anyway...I decided, since I had a bunch of bottles of transmission fluid from years ago, to flush the system. I pulled off the return line and started the car. adding fluid while turning wheel lock to lock. after residual dripped out, I have not had a leak since.

My hypothesis is someone put power steering fluid in where our cars take transmission fluid. and further, that this might be the leading cause of leaking racks. maybe the quick change place added it to your car?

If you have a leaking rack, I would try to flush your system first.

 

[T4R2014]

Overthinking. Your rack is old as piss. If it leaked already it will leak again. Have you drained the oil out of the tie rod boots? All that oil likely washed off the grease from the inner and it will prematurely wear. You should replace the rack with new. Anything outside of that is really just an arts and crafts project that will never be right.

 

[talkstometal]

boots drained.

I have driven about 10k miles and no leaks. might be overthinking but the results look good.

 

[T4R2014]

Really depends on your budget and usage. You can get away with buying time if it sits a lot. Could last another 5 years, could last a few months. There's no real absolutes with this. Been there done this, I would budget for a rack in case it decides it doesn't want to seal much longer. I limped stuff along like this for years, it wears you down if it's your daily driver. Also at this age the high pressure lines are worth replacing. About $100. Old hydraulic hoses may look fine but they'll randomly burst when old.