Steering Rack oil leaking?

I was about to take off my sway bar off today and then I noticed that there was oil leaking off the steering rack. And I was thinking that it was the bushings inside were worn out. Here are some picture and tell me what you think the problem is.

 

Power steering fluid leaking from the bellows. Replace rack

 

So I have to get a whole new steering rack? Is that hard to do?

 

I would if it bothers you , it's a fairly easy job....but I'm a mechanic for a living, it's a common failure on a lot of vehicles. My 97 taco has a leaking rack too. But I don't sweat it. With the right tools you can knock it out

 

And if I didn't replace it, what would happen?

 

Just gonna have to keep topping off fluid. Mine has been leaking for over a year. I just check the fluid every month or so.

 

A little bit of this may help.

 

Here you go buddy. Here is mine.

 

When it's leaving puddles in the drive way then spend the money, unless you have the funds to replace it. I don't, haha.

 

How do you check the fluid levels?

 

Where would I apply this to?

 

Right into the PS res. Might just need a little to stop the leak.

 

in the first pic...
it looks like it is leaking from above down onto the bellow

If the rack's end seals were leaking...
I'd think only the lower side of the bellow would be wet (oily) !?

I'd pull back the bellow off the itre and check.
if the bellow is not full of atf/psf then you don't have that issue.
instead it may be leaking at the seal at the racks input shaft.

how much fluid was found on the ground ?

 

That's nothing.
Keep driving and don't worry until you start leaving puddles on the driveway.
Keep the PS fluid reservoir topped off with ATF (NOT POWER STEERING FLUID) and you'll be fine.

 

There was no oil on the ground. It was starting to form a little drop of oil on that octagon thingy so I just wiped it off.

 

Where is the PS res? I don't know much things about the steering rack....

 

octagon thingy ? Lol

that is the cap that seals/holds the rack guide in place.
They can weep a little if they aren't sealed well.

I've replaced 3 racks... numba 4 still going
I refuse swap them out until they bleed fully.
normally I'll kill two pair of itre's before the rack dies

The PS Resevoir is in the engine compartment
near front on passenger side.
well for the 5vz anyways...

what engine ? (I must'a missed that)

 

steering rack is $310 for a complete unit and very simple to replace with some minor spilling of fluid simply pinch the lines with vice grips to keep spilling to a minium

 

if a new rack is installed...

I recommend upgrading the mount bushings/hdwr
to the Energy Suspension bushing kit.

the original bushings would need be pressed out.
but the ES bushings are more durable and longer lived

 

is this where the steering shaft goes into? i plan on replacing the bushings on mine