oil leak power steering?

[wretchedfred]

Hello,

2003 LC.
I think I have a power steering oil leak. But the threads here seemed vague (probably just can't find the right one).

Issue: Quite a bit of oil on the ground for the last few days. Reddish brown. Drivers side directly under the frame just in front of the axle. Leak is not from the oil filter. It seems to be coming from that area under the motor just towards the back a few inches or so.

What I have done recently:
Plugs, MAF, Fuel Pump few other things for LC dying after it warms up. Fuel pump was the issue.(within 2 months)
Yesterday I swapped out the top radiator hose, and 3 hoses on a T for the coolant to go into the cabin, back top of motor. These all had very slow seepage so I was thinking the antifreeze was leaking.

This morning I went out and there as a puddle bigger than the size of a softball.

Other issues we have had. Steering seems loose and has play while driving. The power steering rez was low and I topped off with power steering fluid like an idiot. Just found out it needs to be Toyota ATF. It has also been whining a little while turning. The power steering pump was replaced about 2 years ago and I do remember the mechanic used Toyota AFT.

So I bet the leak is the power steering. Does anyone have comments and photos / videos of what is leaking so I can jump in there and fix it? A write up on how to flush power steering fluid and what parts / gaskets I need to replace would be helpful. Maybe pics would help too.

Also, I have watched videos on adjusting steering rack for older Toyotas. Does anyone know if my play in steering wheel can be adjusted or if the oil leak will probably fix it?

Thank you so much. Been using this forum for years and it has saved me thousands.

Fred

 

[bgolf247]

I know I followed a flushing procedure in one of @2001LC . I know there is also a video out there of the procedure. The pump and reservoir are all on passenger side though. May rack is leaking? Possibly worth flushing and adding a little AT-205 to see if this fixes it.

Biggest thing to determine what you need to fix, is to find out where the leak is coming from. Remove front skid, clean and watch.

 

[bentonrover]

Yeah that AT-205 is perfect for those little rubber gaskets that fail. Not sure how differ from your 03 and my 05 LX. My fluid is pretty clear. Dealer services all its life.

 

[Spike555]

Valveoline MaxLife ATF, use that. It has seal conditioners in it.
Flushing the system is super easy, takes 5min.
Remove lower hose from power steering reservoir, once it stops dripping fill the system. Drive for a week. Repeat. After about four of these it'll be clean.
No air in the system. Takes 5min.

 

[Tareq]

I did the Turkey baster method twice, no more leaks! It wasnt dripping, just a bit of oil on the boot

 

[nissanh]

+1 for MaxLife ATF.

 

[kcobourn]

PS leaks on these trucks are my signal to start saving to replace the PS rack. Mine had a very minor leak for at least 20,000 before it failed spectacularly a few days after listing it for sale (of course!). Ended up with a lifetime warrantied reman from Detroit Axle that cost $800 installed (only 3.5 hours labor ... the shop swore they’d never do it for that again haha!)

I believe I got 20K out of the rack because of frequent PS drain/fills. The best method IMO is to start by lifting the front tires. Drain out the fluid in the reservoir & refill with new ATF. With the truck OFF simply turn the wheels back/forth to drain out the fluid in the rack. You’ll know when you’re done when the fluid coming out looks brand new. Just do this with every oil change until you have the $$ to replace OR wait for a failure. Personally with my family (wife/kids) I err on the side of safety ... trying to work a 6,000+ vehicle with no PS is a fairly scary endeavor!

Lots of posts on this & even a few YouTube videos.

 

[2001LC]

Pull your undershielding #1 (skid plate) and look up just in front of front differential side tube where front drive shaft (CV) butts in. You'll see steering wheel shaft u-joint just as it connect to steering rack box. It's common leak point. Also check rack boots, to see if filling with fluid. Flush and add ATP AT-205 reseal, you may get lucky. Steering Flush & Cleaning

 

[TXLX100]

If it looks like its coming from above oil filter area, it's probably leaking from the steering input shaft area. The steering rack in my 98 LX470 seeped from the boot areas for many years, and recently started dripping a bunch from the input shaft. I just replaced the rack with a factory unit, it was 20 years old, 180k miles. Not a hard repair, but will take a little bit of time if first time doing one.

I have a OEM rack core (can send to CVJ for rebuild) and a brand new aftermarket low pressure line if anyone needs for free, its going to hit the trash soon. Located in Fort Worth, Texas

 

[wretchedfred]

Thank you everyone. This gives me a great place to start. I will start with the max life oil and hope things get better.

 

[wretchedfred]

After a flush with Valvoline Maxlife ATF it is still leaking pretty good. I cleaned everything around the leak pretty good and waited to be sure exactly where its coming from Its just past the U joint where it connects to the Rack. I think its called the power steering control module. Attached is a photo.

I am wondering if there is a way to fix this, or should I replace the entire rack. Thanks for any help.

 

[2001LC]

To repeat myself. I'd use AT-205 reseal. It's not a petroleum additive (I never use oil that say "HIGH Mileage" with those petroleum based seal additives), they swell and damages seals. AT-205 is the same stuff used to make rubber seals, that leaches out over the years. Many have added this Plasticizer (AT-205) with very good results when used a directed. If leak doesn't stop then you either rebuild the rack with a seal kit or replace the rack.

BTW: The rack I pictured above has over 350K miles on it, and as you can see, it is leaking. I cleaned outside leak area and added AT-205. I've only driven ~3 hours so far, but leak seems to have stopped.

 

[wretchedfred]

I will flush system again to make sure all dirt is out and then add the AT-205. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Spike555]

It takes longer than a day to swell the seals back up with the MaxLife or any seal conditioner I have ever used.

 

[wretchedfred]

2001LC and everyone else. THANK YOU!!!! no more leak after using AT-205. Only took a few hours to take effect.

 

[Greenbean]

Be sure it’s not your oil cooler assembly gasket,

Mine was the culprit a while back.

 

[wretchedfred]

Now that the leak is gone, I am still seeing issues with steering. I have quite a bit of play in the steering wheel. With engine on, I had my wife turn the wheel an inch or so and the tires do not move. I can see the steering column moving all the way to the rack. Does this mean I need a new rack? Forums say to stay with OEM. Are rebuilt ones ok? Is there anything else I can look for? If I replace rack, I will also replace bushings. Recommendations are always appreciated.

Thanks

 

[2001LC]

Maybe, maybe not.

Does the rack move when you see steering column move. The rack mounting bushings are designed to give some.

How are TRE ball joints and upper & lower ball joint?

Does steering wonder left and right while driving on HWY? Can be rack mounting bushings, tires, alignment, ball joints or bad rack!

Bad rack is not easy to determine.

 

[wretchedfred]

Thanks for the info.
Tires are 6 months old. BFG TKO2 Maybe 5k on them
TRE ball joints look pretty good. Lower Ball on the drivers looks like it may have issues. See photo below.

Yes, the steering wonders left and right while on freeway. Seems to be getting worse. I feel like I'm driving a 1972 dodge pickup having to steer left and right just to go straight.

Doubt its alignment because it wanders both ways.

Let me know what you think of the joints. Cruiser has 196k miles on it and its all original accept Shocks. I replaced those a year and a half ago with stock.

I also noticed leaking on the axles. Check out pics. One that is the worst I circled in red.

Thanks again for all the help.

Im actually now thinking of getting a newer cruiser. 2013 ish...

 

[planomateo]

Definitely need to address CVs.