How Bad Is This And How Do I Address It?

Sorry for the vague subject line, I’m not sure what part this is but I don’t think it should be this greasy. Maybe the boot someplace is bad, but I’m unsure of how to go about inspecting/correcting.

 

Inner tie rod bellows. The rubber boot is the bellows, the part inside of it is an inner tie rod which connects to your steering rack and pinion. The leak is steering fluid from the rack and pinion.
Step 1, check your steering fluid reservoir and top it off if low.

 

Looks like your power steering rack is leaking. Check inside the steering boot. Probably full of oil

most likely need a steering rack

 

Needs a rack

 

You will indeed need a new rack but there are many issues with buying them from online auto parts vendors or your local auto parts store: they are Chinese crap and they WILL leak again. Worst of all, they require your steering rack as a core, so you get a Chinese $150 unit and they get a $400 OEM unit to remanufacture.

The absolute best option hands down is to find a reputable local rack and pinion shop and ask them to rebuild your factory unit.

 

CVJ in colorado does good remans. Worth a look.

 

Mine is doing the same thing, albeit at a much lower rate. Per a mechanic on Youtube who often posts about what I assume is her Tacoma, this is a common leak in our trucks and what she recommends is to clean it up and keep an eye on it, in particular the fluid level in the PS reservoir. If it's not needing topping off until two or three oil changes, do nothing. If it's creating clear drips in your driveway fairly often, time to do something about it. Mine is fairly slow but I'll need to wait a few thousand miles to say for sure whether it will end up dripping, or just staining the boot.

 

I agree this is the best option. Unless you buy new OEM, but that’s expensive.
You’re in San Jose, I guarantee you can find a good shop to rebuild it there or in Sacramento.

 

For what it's worth it's entirely normal to have some power steering fluid in your bellows; some fluid always leaks by even on brand new stuff in racks like these the bellows catches the leak but the fluid can deteriorate and seep through the bellows and look like a bad leak when it's just a tiny one that's been there since it rolled off the line.

Were talking a few tablespoons in each boot over years though.

That said this may not be the case with OP, and generally speaking if the boots are worn out and oil soaked enough to need replacement it's probably an old enough rack to just need rebuilding anyways but what I am saying is if money is tight inspect the boot for condition and any dry rot cracks tears or punctures as well as fluid level and if everything seems okay just replace the bellows for a bandaid.

I just did inner tie rods on my 2010, rack had never been serviced before, 240k mikes, I had had a strange knock in what sounded and felt like the front suspension but turns out was one of my inner tie rod ball and sockets. When I pulled my boots though there was no indication of leak but I dud have maybe between both sides a 1/4 cup of ATF in the old bellows, which I replaced also since I was there.

 

its not that hard to replace the inner seal

 

My power steering fluid reservoir seems normal based on the level, what does that mean in terms of severity of the issue?

 

It means you can drag it out for quite a while. I would pull the boot back and thoroughly clean out all of the fluid and monitor from there. Your power steering fluid does need to be flushed though, based on that color.

 

Just FYI those hose clamps on your intake do not tighten evenly and the can allow small amount of dirt in at the couplers and small amounts of unmetered air to bypass which can can cause issues.

I recommend getting some Vibrant T bolt intake clamps to replace them.

 

Change out the fluid to Valvoline maxlife atf and it would probably go away for awhile


Super easy to do

 

Not implying you didn’t, but did you remove the lid and actually look inside? The reservoirs become stained over time and look full when they may be empty.

 

I had this happen about 3 years ago. I thought for sure I was on the hook for a new rack. My boot was torn open likely from some sort of offroad incident. Anyway, my ideal plan of attack was to first use some sort of a power steering leak stop first before pulling the entire rack and replacing it or rebuilding it. My thought was, "If I can fix this with a fluid exchange and replace the boot....what do I have to lose?". Ultimately, I replaced the boot, tried the leak stop, and because I was already in there and they had to come off anyway...I replaced the tie rod ends too (the joint that attaches to the hub).

So here I am 3 years later and no issues or leaks still. Am I happy I tried the leak stop first? You betcha...

Here's the stuff I used.

$20 Lucas Oil 10011 Power Steering Stop Leak - 1 Quart

Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak.

 

Seconded. I bought a rebuilt one from NAPA and within a year an inner tie rod and 2 of the 3 bushings had failed. I wound up replacing it again with less than 10k miles on it.

 

What's the difference between Valvoline maxlife atf and power steering fluid that would make the difference?

 

Would you mind linking me what you have? I google'd it but I don't now what size/diameter I need for my URD CAI..

 

https://turnonesteering.com/rebuilding-services/rack-and-pinion-rebuilding/

I know some power steering systems use atf fluid. I'm not sure if it would make a difference, but I do know atf fluid has detergents in it to help clean sludge deposits. Prestone power steering fluid is pretty cheap and works just fine.
https://prestone.com/product/prestone-asian-vehicles-power-steering-fluid/

Also, the ones with stop leak additive just make the seals swell up to slow down leaks and are not recommended as a long term solution.