Power steering leak found in the tie rod boot

How bad is it?

So I was replacing my lower ball joints and out tie rod ends on my 01 4cyl prerunner. I got to the second side, tie rods were stuck on good so I resorted to torching the nut and inner tie rod. When I slipped back the boot to keep from melting it, a bunch of ps fluid came out.

As I was going through the process, I could get more to leak if I pulled the boot back a bit more and angled it down.

I image there is some sort of seal behind the inner tr. Does it sound like something that can be 'easily' fixed?

I know the truck is old so it might be ideal to replace the rack but I'm on a tight budget right at this moment.

 

I have the same problem. It doesn't leak out bad enough for me to worry about yet, but once I start losing more I'll probably throw a half a bottle of stop leak into it.

 

I like this for now. I'll stop by before work and grab a bottle.

This explains my slow fluid loss too. I was thinking I'd have to clean the screen to the pump as noted in other posts but I dont know if it would cause something like this.

 

one thing I try to stop doing is turning the wheel when the truck isn't moving. I always start rolling a little before turning the wheels. I have no idea if it helps, but I would imagine it reduces the strain on the power steering system a little bit.

 

I don't have a PS leak or anything but I do the same thing. More for tire wear than anything else.

 

Most people who have replaced seals on racks have said later it was a waste of time, that it's easier to just replace the rack.

Of course the consensus is also that a rebuilt rack (one that someone else has replaced the seals on) is the same thing so it's really rec'd to milk your old one as long as possible, then buy a factory new one.

How long will they be available in the future?

 

How fresh is the fluid in your PS System? Maybe grab a higher mileage ATF for use - Such as Maxlife? It may be able to swell the seals a little bit better.

Im not a Lucas fan but yeah maybe a stop leak could work.

 

I did a partial change about a year ago but I've been adding more over several months due to the leak. I think I'll try the stop leak first and a more complete flush second.

If that fails, I'm following Crux and just milk it until I can save the funds to replace it.

 

if you use the high mileage stuff it may help with the small leak. High mileage oils have an additive that makes seals swell a little. I may actually try that route first before going the stop leak route... not sure which is the best approach

 

same thing. Prob. less of it. Whatever it takes.

 

I think it's somewhat significant...hard to say. But I the fact that the leak is in the boot and possibly on the bottom half of the seal, keeps it from continuously leaking.

I did stop by my local auto parts store and went for the stop leak. I was able to pour about 4 or 5 oz of a 12 oz bottle in. Maybe 2 of them were lost during my messing with the tie rod? Idk

 

A buddy of mine on his old Sienna has been able to keep it under control for 3 yrs. with stop leak.

 

I'll keep an eye on it. I should be able to pull the boot back and drain anything already there and check it the next day.