Can anyone help me diagnose this leak under the drivers side axle?

Saw this under my truck this morning. Doesnt look good.

The fluid did not seem to be power steering fluid although I could be wrong.
Also can I still drive it or do I need to fix it ASAP?

Thanks!

 

Axle seal is my guess.

 

That looks like a power steering fluid leak coming off the the rack bellows. Might have some bad seals. Mine have been leaking slowly over the past couple years (couple drops on bellows but never make it to the driveway).

Should be ok to drive. Check the PS reservoir and make sure its topped off. Thats a fairly sudden leak and while not a huge amount it may make a dent in the reservoir level.

I’d open the bellow and clean/drain out the cack (mine looked like maple syrup with congealed fat) in there and do a couple suck and fill fluid changes in maybe hoping the new fluid will recondition the seals.

 

Man I thought I was looking at an axle LOL

 

Just got under there for a better look and I found a tear in the boot.


Is this as easy a fix as I hope it is?

 

Yes and no. You can replace the boot fairly easily, but there shouldn't be any fluid leaking out of it.

The fluid leak means the inner seal is compromised and needs replaced.

Easiest option to fix both would be to replace the whole rack. This place gets good reviews.
https://shop.rackdoctor.net/2000-2006-Toyota-Tundra-Rack-And-Pinion-38995-25544.htm

 

I need a temp fix because I dont have the cash to spend right now.

I found this video which seems good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VO59IeexBc

Does it sound like Ill be ok if I put some grease in there, clean it up and smear some Right Stuff Silicone on it? Just as a temp fix?

Also what type of fluid is that coming out?

 

Yeah I saw that thanks.

 

So are you saying I need to replace the power steering rack or will I be alright with the temp fix?

 

1st gen trucks are relatively easy, no where near as involved as the newer trucks.

That's a CV axle, completely different animal.

You could try some RTV to seal the boot and a small amount of this stuff. I had luck with it in my Jeeps power steering.

$19 ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVW1LM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_yH35Cb21DTRZ7

 

It’s cool! I’m the idiot who missed it in the first place haha

 

My ‘boots’ what I referred to as ‘bellows’ in my first post answer have been torn for many years. What I did was turned the torn part of the boot so it faces the ground and rear of the truck so wind and water/debris are harder to blow into the system.

Do a couple suck and fills fluid changes like mentioned above and your leak may slow to buy you some time before a full investment into a new rack. Mine slowed from 4 drops on the boot ribs to one drop every so often when I did the new fluids.

I realize I am on borrowed time and will be doing a new rack once the time is made known to me.

 

Problem solved!

 

Bubble gum works too.

 

Sounds good!

 

So which route are you going to go? We are lucky that the steering racks on our trucks are easily accessible. On the new Tacoma's they have to lift the engine.

 

Ive got some CV grease, The Right Stuff Silicone and some gorilla tape on the way. Gonna grease it, clean it with break cleaner, silicone it up and cover with Gorilla tape to top it off.

Hopefully that will buy me time until I eventually do a full replace if needed.

 

Don't use the grease in there. All it will do is attract any dirt and make matters worse. Everything should be clean and dry inside there.

 

How could it attract dirt if the grease is squeezed inside the boot and then sealed inside with silicone?

 

This is not a CV boot. This is your steering tie rod boot.

 

Thank you for this! I'm trying to learn about this and it has not been easy.

So do I just seal it up with no lubrication then?

 

Yup. Pretty easy to replace if you take your outer tie rod off.

As for the leak, That is coming from your seal on the steering rack. Check your power steering fluid reservoir and make sure it's not low.

 

You won’t be able to seal it up by siliconing and taping the boot. Even replacing the boot won’t seal it, as the seals that have failed are internal in the rack. The boot is only to keep dirt and water out, and never to keep the fluid in.

Time to replace the rack, or park the truck until funds allow replacing it.

 

OK back to square one. At least I know whats leaking now.

Power steering fluid level is completely unchanged. Anyone think a good low budget option is to just pour some of that Re-Seal in the power steering and patch up the boot?

I'll be driving on it early next week and don't really have a choice about it so I need a good plan.

 

If the power steering fluid level isn’t low, then you might have two separate issues - a leak above dripping down, and the torn boot.

Take a look for any leak from above.

 

Since you say your fluid level is ok, then don’t worry about a thing. Its (boot) probably been messed up for a long time as mine has without a catastrophe. Just make sure your fluid is fresh ANYWAYS. Change the fluid with suck and fill method. Make sure the boots holes point down and back so any dirt is minimized after you clean the rods/boots.