Looking to buy this 2000 LX470 - fluid leaking an issue? (1 Viewer)

[platypu]

Hi everyone. First post– forgive me if this is the wrong area to post this question. I've been looking at a few LCs and I'm currently looking at this 2000 LX470. I feel good about the minimal rust, but I'm trying to understand the seriousness of the fluid weeping near the axles and by the differential on the drive shaft. The seller stated that there was a power steering issue that leaked fluid recently, but that has since been fixed (but the residual fluid that leaked may not have been cleaned up). Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[leveeguy]

Biggest concern would be last picture on left side center diff/transfer case. Then cv's shown in couple pictures. All others clean up area real good ( degrease) to determine actual source of leaks and replace hoses and clamps were needed.

Edit: Add At205 to power steering and transfer case

 

[100d ua]

Passenger side looks like a p/s fluid leak. The CV axles are also showing wear where the boots might be seeping / leaking from the clamps. Not sure of the mileage, but if the boots are leaking and have low mileage you would be looking at a re-boot. If high mileage, then better off replacing with new OEM cv axles (which aren't cheap).

 

[Malleus]

Nothing I see would scare me away.

I'd want to know how the power steering leak was fixed. It looks like the rack seals were gone. A little kerosene on a rag will remove ATF (power steering fluid), but it won't remove grease, at least not as well as degreaser (lye). Try spraying the areas with degreaser and see what falls off. If it looks clean after that, it's oil. If it still looks "greasy", it's ATF. It's hard to tell exactly what is leaking after it gets enough dirt mixed in with the leaking fluid.

However, if it was the rack seals that were leaking, and the owner put stop leak (like AT205) in it to fix it, it's not fixed. The seals have to be replaced. Not a big deal to do yourself, but spendy at the dealership, because I don't know of one that'll do it; they want to replace the rack - it's quicker for them and more money in their pocket.

The rear differential mess could be a leaking rear pinion seal, or it could be someone overgreased the sliding yoke in the propeller shaft. Neither woudl concern me enough not to buy the truck.

You may need new CV axle boots at some point, but I would never replace OEM CV axles that weren't clicking or weren't run dry after the boots failed, no matter how many miles they have on them. If they're not OEM, they should be replaced no matter how many miles are on them. Unfortunately, that's something you can't know without removing the boots.

The front of the transfer case is wet; it could be the case, or it could be something else - like an overgreased sliding yoke. I agree that needs another look.

 

[platypu]

Thank you all very much