How Bad Is This And How Do I Address It?

I'm just a little confused on how much I need to consider a new rack all of a sudden. There is 0% leakage in my driveway where I park my tacoma (daily driver) every day after work. If the reservoir is full, would that suggest that perhaps the seals just need replacing and I might be good for a while? Toyota wants $2100 + tax for this but it is OEM so it hopefully wouldn't hope to experience China aftermarket failure like some mentioned... But that's a lot of dough if I could get by for another year or more by just changing the fluid and figuring out first how to inspect the seals and what the process is for replacing them...

 

I'm sure most of that is labor and not parts. It's hard to assess the problem or potential leak without seeing the truck in person, but if the system is staying full one would think it isn't leaking. (Most power steering leaks are slow leaks.)

I'd just change the fluid for now and make sure it's always topped off to the correct level. If you start losing a lot fluid over time, or are having difficulty turning the wheel or you're getting noises from the system then it's time to think about replacing the rack and possibly the pump.

 

Thank you, if something were to happen, hypothetically say it was worse than it looks/I thought and something fails... Is it dangerous to be driving with the way it is?

 

Short answer no.

Worst case is you don't pay attention to how much is leaking out and run the pump dry, which will damage it. But you are gong to see fluid in the driveway and/or hear the pump complaining long before that happens. Even sudden catastrophic loss of all the fluid is just going to result in the steering being a bit heavier than usual, which would make parking a bitch but you would barely notice on the highway. Unless you had to dodge a moose or something..

 

The power steering system would have to lose all if not most of the fluid for you to lose power steering. You would still be able to to turn the wheel, but it would be a lot a harder. There is a chance the pump could burn up and you'd have to replace that along with the rack, but again you'd have to lose all or most of the fluid for that to happen.

 

I’m pretty sure if they’re in the crosswalk, they have the right of way…

 

Well yeah but then you don't have to swerve around them

 

swerve or die.

 

Second what others have said. Start changing out PS reservoir fluid, try steering rack sealer, keep an eye on it. Mine went about 6 more months and then gave up and was leaking badly. You might get lucky and it’ll hold.

I went with a remanufactured OEM rack installed by my local, reputable, independent shop. $1,500-ish out-the-door.

Good luck.

 

It has additives to help swell the seals. Mine rack weeps and I use it helps stop it .

 

honestly I don’t think it will make a difference. I flushed my PS out last year with Valvoline Maxlife ATF and it looks like the passenger side boot is leaking more than it did before.

2007 Tacoma.

however my fluid is sitting at the minimum line on hot after a year.

boot is still wetter than before though.

I just assumed every 2nd gen Tacoma has seepage from these boots.