Front Differential Seal/Steering Rack Bushings - Advice Needed

Hello,

I wanted to come on here with something I found recently in lieu of some pending work on my truck. I have a 2007, 4.0, SR5 4x4 Tacoma and was taking a peek at the underside for a completely different reason and found what seems to me like a front differential seal leaking.

I don't have a ton of experience, so this is why I am hoping to get a second opinion. I have plans and parts on hand now to replace the front shocks and coils, upper control arms, sway bar links, ball joints, and tie rod ends (along with both boots), and CV axle boots (passenger side torn). This was found somewhat recently while I was looking at the condition of the rack bushings as I have heard it is best to replace these if you are replacing the rack (another thing I recently resorted to as I have been having some steering issues and now have the oil soaked tie rod boots).

If anyone has any insight on this leak that is around the differential, that would be greatly appreciated. Also, correct me if I am wrong, but the steering rack boots do not have grease in them. What could the grease all around the driver side rack bushing be? My buddy seemed to think this could be grease/oil slinging around (possibly from CV boot being cracked and inner tie rod boot), but it seems too localized to be this. I don't know, this is outside of my wheelhouse a bit so looking for some help.

Thank you!

 

Your axle seal is leaking in the photo. It is easy to replace while you have the axles out. Tie rod boots are designed to keep debris off the rack and have no fluid or grease inside of them. Sounds like you need to rebuild both axles, change the seals and differential oil at the same time.