Wet Rack

[Bretski1]

Long time lurker here. Just installed an OME lift and noticed my rack was a little wet. I'm consciously incompetent and watch just enough YouTube to get myself into trouble. I checked the steering fluid and it's still full. Thanks guys.

 

[MyHigh]

A wet rack might not be your only problem, that lower ball joint looks like it's calling for some attention as well..

 

[jeremyc74]

I wouldn't blame the rack just yet, especially if you aren't losing any fluid.

That could be coming from somewhere above, like a leaking valve cover, or very possibly just from changing the filter. The way the filter is situated on the side of the motor, when you unscrew it oil drains down the side of the block, onto the skid plate right in that area.

Even if the rack is leaking they'll usually function properly for a good while. Personally I'd keep a close eye on the fluid level over the next month or so and see if it's dropping at all. Maybe clean it up with some degreaser so you can verify where the fluid is actually coming from.

The lower ball joints would definitely take priority over the leaking rack for me because the failure mode on those is much more serious than losing power steering.

 

[MandAtaco]

I wouldn't worry about a little bit of seeping. My 01 Taco seeped a little for years. My 00 Runner does too, heck even my 04 Runner does. I never had to add fluid to any of them. Remember a little bit of fluid will look like a ton of fluid when it spreads out.

 

[Bretski1]

Thanks gents. I'm going to assume it's from the oil filter. There's probably skin and blood from my knuckles in there too.

 

[JBurt]

My rack seeped a little for years and I never worried about it. However my tires always wore funny. I replaced inner and outer tie rods, lbj's and control arm bushings. Turns out my problem was a worn out rack.

I replaced it and the steering is so much better. No more slop and I have a relatively new front end.

Do you have any steering slop?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks gents. I'm going to assume it's from the oil filter. There's probably skin and blood from my knuckles in there too.

Yup, that's not power steering fluid. And they don't leak from the top of the guide like that, what will happen is that it'll start to seep out of the boots on the ends and puddle inside. What you see look to me like motor oil, like from a filter or something like you said.

 

[GSPRunner]

I wouldn't worry about it.