Torn inner tierod boot

Just noticed this. Passenger side. Must have started within the past few weeks. No noticable fluid missing from power steering resivior. 2009 Tacoma 4x4 with 90k miles. I flushed the fluid for the first time around 80k miles. Any ideas what would cause this? There are multiple tears all along the underside of the boot. My driver side looks fine. Hopefully i just need to replace the inner tie rod and not the whole rack? I haven't been off road in over a year and have been back running 265/70s instead of 315s for almost a year now also.

 

Wrap it in duct tape when its fully extended, all it is is a dust shield.

 

Will do. How about the obvious fluid? Do I have a seal going bad in the rack ?

 

See the wet boot? That's PS fluid that has been leaking/seeping past the rack's seals. PS fluid accumulate in the boots, which eventually eats away at the rubber and then breaks/tears open.

 

Yeah most likely have a worn seal from debris. You can extend the steering on that side all the way out and slide the boot down and clean and lube the shaft with Dex3. That should help prolong the amount of time you have til you actually have to do something like rebuild the rack or replace it. Don't forget the duct tape at the end. And if you're in Cedar Park, I'm just down the road from you if you need an extra hand.

 

Thanks guys. Should I try some sort of power steering stop leak product?

 

Wont hurt to try