Left side inner tierod boot has oil residue - 2017 tacoma

Hi All,

I was doing a front diff oil change tonight and notice the inner boot of the left side tie rode has oil residue along the lower half of it........ I wanted to post pics and get your thoughts on what it might be. My truck has roughly 55,000 miles and a good number of trips out in the wild have been done over the years. I do not see anything leaking from the rack and pinion steering so do not believe it is that but I am absolutely no expert so am coming to the experts I don't see or feel a tear in the boot. What do you think it is? And what do you recommend? If it is to replace the tierod unit do I do both side or just this side? OEM or aftermarket? Thanks for any input!!!!!

Much appreciated

Steve

 

Must have been the time travel. It happens.

 

If it's not getting dripped on from something above.. then the rack is leaking

 

Those gen 14s are gonna be sweet.

 

It’s not your inner tie rods, your rack is leaking unfortunately

 

One of mine has looked like that for years. It probably had a small leak for a brief moment and stopped and the boot is permanently stained. I never lose any PS fluid. I’d recommend keeping an eye on yours and see if you boot starts dripping or getting worse.

If your PS level goes down your rack and pinion seals are shot and it’s typically more economical to replace the whole assembly. Can reuse the tie rods.

 

I have a 2017 with 53,000 and i noticed this a few months ago. I’m not any losing power steering fluid and I haven’t seen it get any worse. I would just watch it for now.

 

Not exactly where that is in the truck but if its near the front, could be the timing chain gasket. I think it can drip all the way down to the axle at least.

 

Thanks all for the input!!!! I was confused on the time travel but noticed my error I will keep an eye on it for now Much apprecaited!!!!!

 

2016 with 94K.
Doing an oil change and noticed the same thing on my driver side inner tierod boot.

Seems like the consensus is to wait and see?

I have the platinum warranty until 100K. Wonder if I should bring it in to get checked out.

 

Just following up. Brought my truck in to the dealer. They said that my steering rack is fine, and that it's just the boot that's leaking and that they would replace the boot under warranty.

Hmmm....I asked if my rack is fine, where is the leak coming from? and they said the fluid is in boot and the boot is leaking.

Doesn't make sense to me, but I didn't have much faith they'd do anything in the first place.

 

That’s hilarious

those guys will make up anything haha.

 

I have it as well…but I believe it may be from doing some WD-40 action on my coilover threads…steering fluid level is cherry…could be same issue for some guys because it isn’t the obvious culprit