New Steering Rack and Pinion Leaking

I have a 2002 Tacoma 3.4l v6 Prerunner. I have a 3 inch lift, I upgraded tires from stock 265/70/r16 (31s) to 285/75/r16 (33s) and I did a half ass power steering flush about a year ago which is when my issues started. I used a baster/pump for the power steering reservoir and just extracted/filled fluid until it wasn't dirty anymore. It seemed fine initially, but then I noticed a hard spot when turning the wheel mainly to the left, as well as squealing. Eventually, the seals were blown on the rack because it was leaking fluid like crazy from the boots as well as where the lines feed into the rack.

I finally had the rack replaced a couple weeks ago and all seemed well at first. No leaking, tight responsive steering. Since then, the hard spot and squeals have returned and I am starting to leak fluids again. A bolt in the 2nd photo looks loose and is showing thread, could that be the issue? I'm wondering if a bad pump, the larger tires, or something else could be causing this? Did the new rack seals get blown and now I need to replace it again? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Leak before replacing rack and pinion:


Leak with new rack and pinion:

 

You aren't the only one
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/uuuggghhhhh-oem-4-eva.625328/

 

It looks to me like that was taken apart. See if those paint marks on both lines, both ends are unmolested. If they are, your mechanic owes you an explanation. Good luck.

 

By the way. What brand is that?

 

Yeah, even cheap Chinese crap normally doesn’t come w/ loose bolts.

 

I believe (but am not 100% sure) that the big bolt that requires an Allen wrench to remove indicates that what's behind it is the old style. The new style has a bolt that one can turn with a regular wrench. Can't recall at the moment... but if I'm wrong I hope somebody will correct me.

 

What sucks is when they see you have big tires almost 80% of the time the mechanic is going to blame that and not take responsibility for their work. What are the exact details anyway? Did they rebuild it?

 

What kind of rack did you go with? Have heard not so great things about aftermarket steering racks. But since the issue your describing with the new rack is the same issue you had with the old one, I wonder if it's something else causing the problem...

When you did the power steering flush what kind of fluid did you use? I don't know about Toyotas but I know that with Hondas, anything other than genuine Honda PS fluid will make the seals leak in short order.

 

The rack I believe is a re manufactured Napa rack. I attached the receipt photo. I tightened the loose bolt and the leak slowed down, but still pools up and has a slow drip. I have included more photos. Someone mentioned the paint on the bolts, not sure if everything is tightened up as should be.

Receipt of re manufactured rack from Napa


Photo of the leak pooling up and dripping


Are these supposed to be tightened?




Would this shaft bushing affect anything?

 

this looks like that plug with the Allen hole is not seated properly l, loose.

what is this.... the steering linkage??

 

Be careful tightening that big allen key plug, that's your rack guide and even the tiniest adjustment to that can have a big effect on your ability to steer. It does look like it's sitting further out than it should but at the same time, this is an aftermarket steering rack and that might just be normal for it.

 

Does that Allen bolt (preload cap) even have fluid in it? I believe it only has line in it and the power steering fluid resides in the middle portion of the rack.

 

From what I remember, the rack guide bolt is just adjusting the preload on the guide bearing. There should not be any fluid behind it. If there is fluid behind it, you have a leak internal to the rack, which means the rack needs to be replaced.

EDIT: just realized this was from 2019, still useful info though.