THIS boot is leaking GREASE!

**FJoel** · 04-04-2008, 10:18 PM

This one here. It's not the CV, it' the ____________ (you fill in the blank here and get a cookie).

Seems to be a bit of grease everywhere...

So I am planning on ordering a new boot, as it seems there is a tear in it where the grease is coming out. I cant get anymore grease to come out, which likely isn't good.

Once I have the new boot, and replace it, I will likely have to fill it with grease? Which kind? I am going to look up some, uh, stuff, in my service manual when I get home, but you experts are easier to understand than the service manual and usually have more practical ways of doing things. Atleast in the eyes of a garage mechanic.

Thanks in advance.

Joel

**FJoel** · 04-04-2008, 10:22 PM

TIE ROD boot?

Guessing here...

Cogen Man · 04-04-2008, 10:32 PM

Yes it is the tie rod boot. Not sure what type of grease it takes. Probably the same as the CV boots. If you get the replacement at the Toyota dealership I'd ask someone there. Now do I get my cookie ? Chocolate chip please.

**FJoel** · 04-04-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Cogen Man previously said:

Yes it is the tie rod boot. Not sure what type of grease it takes. Probably the same as the CV boots. If you get the replacement at the Toyota dealership I'd ask someone there.

Are you crazy? You live in Canada too! You should know that my local dealer will charge me twice what the vendors on this forum will. Even with shipping it will be cheaper off the 'net, and my local dealers have pissed me off too many times to get my business.

It's sad but true.

I figured it was the tie rod boot but wasn't sure. Thanks for confirming Cogen Man. I need an alignment so I figure I'll hold off until I get the boot replaced. I don't know what I did to tear it...

I think that grease spec will be in the service manual when I get home. But to fill it? Hopefully that is in there as well.

**FJoel** · 04-04-2008, 10:37 PM

Note to self: Owe Cogen Man 1 Cookie. Chocolate chip preferred.

JRock · 04-04-2008, 10:38 PM

you are leaking power steering fluid from the steering rack. the outer boot on the rack is for keeping dust out and is not the same as a CV where it holds grease inside. The two boots (one on both ends) protect the outer extensions of the rack from corrosion, much like a boot on a shock absorber. If fluid is leaking out of this boot, it is likely coming from a seal at the end of the rack and pinion assembly.

**FJoel** · 04-04-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

jrock previously said:

you are leaking power steering fluid from the steering rack. the outer boot on the rack is for keeping dust out and is not the same as a CV where it holds grease inside. The two boots (one on both ends) protect the outer extensions of the rack from corrosion, much like a boot on a shock absorber. If fluid is leaking out of this boot, it is likely coming from a seal at the end of the rack and pinion assembly.

This is not what I wanted to hear.

But thank you for the info. I'm going to check my power steering fluid level now.

How does one screw this up? Is this just an oopsy I get from taking her off the pavement?

JRock · 04-04-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

FJoel previously said:

This is not what I wanted to hear.

But thank you for the info. I'm going to check my power steering fluid level now.

How does one screw this up? Is this just an oopsy I get from taking her off the pavement?

No, this is not an outside influenced issue. If you are still under warrenty, it should be covered. Seals just fail sometimes. Unfortunatly, becuase of the high pressures that power steering system operate under, replacing the boot will due no good, as it is not made to retain fluid. How many miles on the truck? If the power steering resevior is not low and you don't notice a steering harshness, it may be one of those things you can ignore for a while. I am not sure about Toyota, but Land Rover calls it 'Calculated Seapage.'

**FJoel** · 04-04-2008, 10:54 PM

Okay. So my power steering fluid is in the range.

I parted the bellows on the boot again, one by one, with my flashlight and it seems okay. I thought there was a tear in one of them but I can't seem to find it, which makes me think I was assuming the worst and expected to find a tear.

I let my brother do my last oil change, while I did some other things on the rig. I am thinking perhaps he spilled oil down there when putting the new oil in.

I'm going to clean it up and monitor it. If there is more oil/grease there in a few days I will investigate further.

Hopefully this is a false alarm.

Cogen Man · 04-04-2008, 10:58 PM

My bad. Upon further examination. (Crawling under front of FJ) jrock is right. Thanks for educating me jrock. FJoel, you no longer need to send me the cookie.