2003 Highlander ... help identify the part that's leaking

[thejon]

I'll do my best to explain the location. Sorry, I'm unfamiliar with the exact names and definitions...

Under the front of my 2003 Toyota Highlander, in between the two wheels (slightly towards the driver's side) there's this big bolt/plug that is leaking a bit. It's a connection point of some kind (axle? CV joint?) It's Not dripping on the driveway, more like sightly SEEPING... Maybe a drop every other day. I have no idea for how long, I just happened to notice it while looking at something else. I assume it's some kind of gear oil.

What is the thing called that this bolt goes to?

Do you think I can get away with just tightening it a bit for now?

I don't think a lot of fluid was lost but I'd like to be sure. How can I check and where do I refill (and what kind of oil/lube)?

What would a repair entail?

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

Hopefully the pictures explain what I'm talking about.

I have another leak I want to ask about but I'll post it separately.

 

[HemiBenny]

That's your rack and pinion. (Steering)

Are you low on power steering fluid?

 

[GSCJR]

That's your rack and pinion. (Steering)

+1

 

[thejon]

That's your rack and pinion. (Steering)

Are you low on power steering fluid?

Very slightly. If I top it off with will the leak go away?
The cover for the power steering fluid says to use dextron type atf.. which I always thought atf was red (my transmission fluid is red). But the power steering fluid is blonde (as well as what's leaking). Should I top off with atf and let it mix or stick with blonde power steering fluid?

 

[dnewton3]

That's your steering rack.
It's not a "bolt"; it's a threaded cap that covers the nut that holds the pinion into the bore/bearing.
If it's leaking, it's either the seal for the pinon bore, or could be the seal for the rack bore. Both those would bleed into the low pressure void where the rack/pinion junction is (under the spring loaded bushing in the first photo).

 

[thejon]

That's your steering rack.
It's not a "bolt"; it's a threaded cap that covers the nut that holds the pinion into the bore/bearing.
If it's leaking, it's either the seal for the pinon bore, or could be the seal for the rack bore. Both those would bleed into the low pressure void where the rack/pinion junction is (under the spring loaded bushing in the first photo).

This sounds expensive and hard. What am I looking at as far as a repair? And is it an emergency or something I can hold off on? My wife doesn't drive much, just to take the kids to school 3 miles away , errands and a trip now and then to the next town over

 

[HemiBenny]

Very slightly. If I top it off with will the leak go away?

If only fixing a leak were so simple.

I can’t take this thread seriously after this comment.

Cheers!

 

[thejon]

I can’t take this thread seriously after this comment.

Was joking of course

 

[Marcozi]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but don't r/p racks have a separate lubricant in addition to PSF?

 

[dnewton3]

This sounds expensive and hard. What am I looking at as far as a repair? And is it an emergency or something I can hold off on? My wife doesn't drive much, just to take the kids to school 3 miles away , errands and a trip now and then to the next town over

If it is leaking from either the pinion or rack seal, it's past what the normal DIY person can do. And there are special driver tools needed, especially for the rack-end bore seal. Often, it's just as cheap to get a reman'd one and have that installed, though I'm skeptical of today's reman work from most sources.

If the leak is minimal, I'd just live with it. It's unlikely to be anything but an annoyance.

 

[thejon]

If it is leaking from either the pinion or rack seal, it's past what the normal DIY person can do. And there are special driver tools needed, especially for the rack-end bore seal. Often, it's just as cheap to get a reman'd one and have that installed, though I'm skeptical of today's reman work from most sources.

If the leak is minimal, I'd just live with it. It's unlikely to be anything but an annoyance.

Thanks for your help. It's not even enough to drip on the driveway and my wife's driving is minimal so it sounds like I can let it go, at least for a while.

One more thing:The power steering reservoir says to add dextron type atf (I always thought atf was red). The fluid in there now is a blonde color, so I assume what's in there is ps fluid, not atf. Should I top it of with atf or avoid mixing the two and stick with ps fluid?

 

[andrew_j]

Just buy the proper fluid it requires on cap.

 

[thejon]

Just buy the proper fluid it requires on cap.

Which would require flushing the old out I'm assuming. It's barely low, I'm just wondering how to top it off for now until I do a full flush ( probably when I replace the r/p)

 

[HowAboutThis]

Which would require flushing the old out I'm assuming. It's barely low, I'm just wondering how to top it off for now until I do a full flush ( probably when I replace the r/p)

Is there a dealer near you? Or online parts for Toyota? I order Toyota parts through the Toyota parts store that links to nearby dealers. Sometimes color doesn't matter as long as it's the fluid they say to use (aftermarket fluids don't always match color).

But if you're worried about being extra safe on the fluid, the Toyota fluid is probably the correct color.

Edit: just did a Toyota parts search and it's about $12.50 for a quart of Toyota ATF/Power Steering fluid for a 2003 Highlander.

 

[Chris142]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but don't r/p racks have a separate lubricant in addition to PSF?

None Im aware of