Steering problems and a leak.

The other day just out of the blue my steering started to feel different. It wasn’t smooth from lock to lock. It would be easy to turn, then it would get a little more difficult, then easy again. I stuck my head under the track today and found this on the passenger side.
The fluid is all over the bottom of the boot. My fluid level is ok and I know it is not engine oil. I guess I’m just wondering if there is a seal in there that can be replaced or am I looking at a full rack replacement. Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is a 2007 ORDC with 96k on it.

 

Looking at your location I would say that your issue symptoms indicate a problem with the Intermediate shaft #2 in the steering column. The universal joint takes a beating from road salts and chemicals. Make sure you get this fixed as if it goes out you will lose steering control.



Yes, you will probably need a steering rack as those fluid lines that come with the rack are probably rusted out too.

 

Thanks for the reply. Are you thinking I have two problems? The rack leaking fluid and a bad steering universial joint. Maybe a the bad u-joints is what causing the not so smooth steering.

 

Yep I would say you've got 2 problems.

U joint is causing the weird steering, and the leak is probably a separate issue

 

I still have not looked close enough to get dirty. But it looks like the leak is coming from here.


Which is good news because these lines are a lot cheaper than a rack. It is wet from the circled spot down, then it drops on to the rack. I hope I don’t need a new rack and the lines. I’ll take a closer look tomorrow when I can get under truck and jack it up. Thanks for the help. I’ll report back tomorrow.

 

I got my warm gear on this afternoon and headed out to crawl under my truck. You guys were right, the steering u-joint is toast. I strayed some Ballistol on it (which fixes everything ) and it worked like a charm. It will still need replaced when it gets a little warmer. There is also definitely a leak coming from the line I have circled above. But the steering rack boot is not directly below that line. There are no leaks above so it must be coming out of a boot. Which I assume is dry rotted. The boot is not wet on either side though. I put some Lucas Oil leak stop in the reservoir. Hopefully that will work until spring. Thanks for the help.

 

I just went through this. my rack looked exactly like yours with the wet boot. My intermediate shaft was fine (yay california) but my rack was leaking and needed to be replaced. I think when you get the old rack off you’ll find your boots are cracked and worn.

I didn’t notice the steering issue (as mentioned that’s got to be your intermediate shaft) but mine was definitely leaking and there was a lot of play.

I bought a new OEM rack from norm reeves Toyota for $601 - including tax and shipping.

Edit: Also - dude - your sway bar looks like hammered ass. Is it REALLY as rusted as it looks?

 

I'm just going to leave this right here....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-lower-steering-shaft-rebuild-diy.543377/

 

my sway bar looks the same,
salty winters will do that to them.

no biggie, his just looks like a bit of surface rust with some paint chipping.

 

It’s hard to tell from the pics. As you can tell from my picture - working on the car in flip flops is par for the course in December here. Rust really isn’t a thing.

 

I did notice the flippy flops. Not gonna lie. I'm a tad bit jealous. its 0C up here right now.

 

Ha! That’s just some Ohio custom stuff right there. Who needs paint! For comparison my frame was replaced in 2017, which included the lower control arms pictured above. The frame looks the same. I don’t know they even bother if they are not going to use a decent product to cover the metal. My next Tacoma will be getting a yearly Fluid Film treatment.

Thanks for the link. I’m having a little sticker shock with the price of that lower steering shaft! I’ll have almost a grand in the steering when I’m done. But I guess that’s better than buying a new truck. #ihatecarpayments

 

Or losing steering control and having a big old car wreck.

 

I just replaced my steering rack, lines, and intermediate shaft. You are correct, it is about $1K in parts alone. Might as well plan on a full weekend of work as well if you plan on doing the job yourself.

Don’t forget to lock your steering wheel in place during the job or you’ll be buying a new clock spring as well.

All this said, I replaced my old suspension with a low mile 3rd Gen take-off while I did the steering rack and the truck now drives like new. It certainly doesn’t feel like a 10 year old vehicle.

 

Does anyone w/ the same steering rack symptoms experience any shimmy or steering wheel shake under braking? I know it could also be the brakes, themselves. But wondering if a leaking rack will also exhibit these signs. I have almost all of the parts to do the rack.

 

I did Gen 3 suspension when Toyota did my frame. It's a good upgrade.

I’d start with your front rotors and go from there. They’re a lot easier do then the steering rack.

 

Yea, I know. The rack is leaking too, but I was just curious if that steering wheel wobble was in any way related.

 

Not sure about wobble but I had a bit of wandering at Highway speeds with my leaky rack. Wobble sounds like an intermediate shaft or brakes problem.