steering rack leak...

Well after my alignment ordeal at Toyota ...I got up under my truck and noticed a dent on the back of my skid plate near the steering rack. Also there is fluid leaking out of the part that screws into the rack...I attached a picture. Wasn't sure if the steering rack is on its way out or it got bumped at the dealership and just needs tightening.

 

Haha, I just had a shop check out my rack for this same issue. It is a 33mm hex I think they said. They tightened it and the steering wheel had no play. They backed off a little and the steering loosened up a bit. They think this is some type of adjustment screw. But after tightening a little the drip stopped.

 

Alright I will tighten it a little tomorrow

 

I don't think theres any fluid in there, just grease. Heres a write up, you could just pop it out, put some silicone on the threads and re torque it. Are you sure the leak isn't coming from inside the boots or the input seal?

 

I caught myself looking but I will pop the boot off and look at everything today

 

Sub'd

 

O.P.
That is the rack and pinion gear preload adjuster. There should be no fluid behind it or leaking from it and there is a procedure to adjust them. They are intended to be installed with a thread sealant to keep contaminants and water out.
If there is fluid in that area of the rack it means there is a leak from the driver side "rack end seal" or the "lower control valve shaft seal". There is a very slim chance some oil could be present that has separated from the grease used on the gears and rack guide. These things are frequently over greased. Again, that's a remote possibility.
It might just be the photo but it looks like a zip tie on the boot. This should raise some suspicion that someone has been in there before. These boots are far from waterproof even with a good clamp and rust pitting is one of the main causes of rack seal failure. More investigation is needed.

Most folks would not rebuild their own rack but this link will provide some photos, a boots off inspection procedure and some understanding of what goes on inside the rack that might help your plan of attack. Your rack has the new style guide but you didn't mention your year so it could be factory or an upgrade.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...rack-pinion-service-tools-tips-dry-wordy.html