Valve covers or steering rack?

Valve covers are definitely, but is the rack leaking too?

 

May be that the valve cover gasket backside is dripping down onto the rack from above. Those cam half moons on the cover and the seal right there seem to be failure points especially on the drivers side valve covers.

 

This is the pass side all cleaned up prior to new gasket/cover install and half moons glued in with the Toy sealant.

 

Ahhhhhh, I see now. Didn't know those little pieces were back there. I'm gonna get new gaskets and replace em. I'm just hoping its oil on the rack, not the rack leaking. Buuuut I did have to fill my PS reservoir the other day since the pump started whining......

 

Yep. Mine was a little low a few months ago, but did not see any leak spots. Topped her off and she is good again. No drop in level since then. Not sure whats going on, but not too worried about it.

 

I had to put another 1/2 quart in the reservoir again. I guess my rack is leaking. Are they rebuildable or is this my life now?

 

Probably some seals are bad. Losing a half quart is huge. Thats more than the reservoir holds? Keep refilling and looking for leaks underneath.

Edit: Went back up and saw your pics. She is leaking somewhere. Confirmed by the 1/2 qt loss. Seals?

 

I'm thinking so. I need to get the truck on stands and go to town with degreaser and a scouring pad to see what and where all the leaks are and from where. It's been a bad week this week.

 

What did it end up being? I'm in a similar situation with my steering rack (but slower leak) and valve covers seeping by.

 

Is there play in your steering or just noticed it leaking while under the truck? If steering still feels tight and its just a seep with no dripping you could probably wait until it gets worse. I bet 90% of the 1st gen racks are leaking at this point, its normal wear and tear for old seals.

Steering rack replacement is probably even easier than valve covers. I went the Detroit axle route with lifetime warranty for $250. Super easy to send back your core in the same box with shipping label they provide. Had it on about a year and no issues, going to do the same thing for my wifes sequoia in the near future.

https://www.detroitaxle.com/shop/st...ck-and-pinion-assembly-toyota-sequoia-tundra/

 

Thanks for the feedback! My steering definitely feels sloppy and loose, wandering on the highway. I heard it could be the bushings as well and know Energy Suspension makes replacement ones but I'll skip that step if it's included with the new rack from Detroit?

 

Allow me to interject that those ES Bushings are squishy. I had aftermarkets (not sure which brand) installed on my rack years ago unbeknownst to me (or I forgot) which were doing a fine job. I though it a good idea to replace them (didn’t realize they were in good shape) with the ES.

My feed back is they are squishy. They feel squishy. When on the rack, you can see them squishing around when observing when under truck with the wheel being turned back and forth by someone above. I took the ES D-ring bushing off and replaced it with the Older new one and it firmed my steering back up for the most part. I’d have gone back on the other bushings locations but those are a pain in the butt and the older ones are destroyed after removal.

Figured I’ll wait until a new steering rack time to go back to a stiffer bushing. I liked the steering better before I did these ES ones. One and only ‘mod’ I regret doing so far in the two years of me being an internet expert on 1st Gens.

These ES ones maybe good for rock pouncing and steering jambs/jabs at high speed launch/landings, but on the roads they lack a ‘tight’ steer if thats what you want. I believe my older ones were Dormans from some research ($18-20 versus $30 for the squish).

 

Right on thanks also! Seems the comments I saw for them on Amazon were mostly good but...

https://amzn.to/3g2Hdzl

I probably won't order them now. Maybe just replace with OEM ones if the new rack doesn't include new bushings or are they entirely different parts?

 

I read the reviews as you did. Only one guy called them squishy and I discounted his comment. Guy was right.

Not sure about how all the parts come as I’ve never installed a rack. They are probably sold as separate parts and will be up to you to decide.

 

Stoked to find this pic again! It was lost on my old device and in this old thread.

 

Yes the new rack comes with bushings. I had a little slop in my steering and now it feels brand new, go for it!!

 

Roger will do. I bought this truck about a month ago and just re-torqued the VC bolts and wow I don't think they've ever been done! That'll help eliminate the oil seepage

 

Yeah, its definitely my rack.

I just ordered that exact one. Had it in my cart for about 2 weeks now.

 

Nice thanks for the info!

 

I did this recently after being told it needed replacing. No seeping oil since. Been almost a month.

 

Yep, I did the ES bushings on my 02 because they were all the rage. It was a let down for sure, not horrible, but I wouldn’t do those particular bushings again. OEM or equivalent next time.

 

Yeah. I’ve done well seeing through most of the bs stuff thus far. This one got me. That one bad review guy was spot on. He was the only guy that actually crawled under the truck and looked at the squish action with his own eyes.

 

So I assume OEM is the way to go here?

 

I think someone replaced my OEMs at some point with what look like Dormans from what I could see. I bought squishies without thinking through and assumed mine were still original. Years ago I had some wobbles up front and kept taking it back to the place that was suppose to fix it. I think they installed Dormans ($18?) but didn’t remember or care to pay attention.

Avoid the squish! Hard rubber is the way.