A leaking steering rack can turn what seems like a simple repair into a costly disaster if not identified in time. Here are the signs to look out for on your Toyota.
Fluid Puddle Under the Front of the Car
If you leave your car parked for a while take a peek underneath the front of your car for any signs of a leak. If you do find a leak make sure you are able to identify the type of fluid that has leaked out. Power steering fluid is typically a reddish or pale yellow coloured liquid. A leak of power steering fluid can form a small oily patch or pool on the ground. This will typically be much smaller than the type of leak you would get from a burst pipe and may disappear when you clean the area, only to reappear a short while later.
Wetness Around the Rack and Gaiters
The rubber gaiters on the end of the rack, one at each end, seal the inner components of the rack. As the outer seal begins to fail, oily residue or dark grime will begin to leak down the body of the rack and pool around the base of the gaiters. Also check the other end of the rack for similar damage, as a torn gaiter can allow large amounts of dirt to enter the inner components of the rack, causing premature wear.
Dropping Reservoir Fluid Level
The power steering reservoir is a cylindrical container found in the engine bay. It will have min and max marks on the side of the reservoir. If the fluid level in the reservoir is dropping between checks and there is no sign of any external leak, it’s likely to be a leak from the steering rack. Many toyota steering racks develop slow weeps from the piston seals before any external signs of leakage from the rack itself become apparent.
Heavy or Jerky Steering
A leak can result in low fluid pressure, making the steering more difficult to turn at low speed. It may feel harder to turn when parking or in car parks for example. The worst case is that the steering can feel as though it is sticking and may even feel as though it is jerking when turned fully in either direction. Check the fluid level if you notice a change in feel to the steering.
Burning Smell Near the Engine
Power steering fluid can drip onto hot parts of the engine, for example the exhaust manifold or engine casing, and smell slightly burnt. The smell can be quite faint and often mistaken for something else. If you do however catch the smell at the same time as some of the other steering rack leak signs then investigate promptly as it’s likely to be an easily repairable job.
Detecting the leak early on will ensure that the repair is a simple one and not too expensive. So do a check under the bonnet every few weeks or so.