- This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 2 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
I have been servicing my mother’s 2002 4Runner for quite sometime. I’m no pro but she’s saving a LOT of money especially when it comes to oil change. Naturally I will notice things that’s out of sorts. This recent oil change, I saw this beauty in my face. “What the hell is this?” is what popped in my mind. I was tempting to pull it out but since I’m no expert, I left it be. This beauty is located on the driver side of the steering rack. This led me to inspect the entire rack and I saw nothing strange expect for that. My mother hasn’t said anything about how her car is handling so I’m thinking that this is something minor of course no problem is ever minor. So I ask the forum, what is it am I looking it and is the broken hanging gasket a warning sign of a future failure or none of my immediate concern?
And in case you’re wondering, yes, there is an oil leak. No, I haven’t found it. I haven’t see a stain on the driveway yet, because the skid plate is collecting the oil and binding it to the road dust. And unfortunately, the oil is dripping on the steering rack. :whistle:
-
Replies
-
Ok. Now since the bushing is falling apart, is it immediate that I have to replace the bushing or leave it as is?
Unless there are steering symptoms or the rack is loose when you yank it around by hand, I’d leave it alone until it becomes detectable. The bushing will be a decent amount of work to change (if it’s even available separate from a new rack), and the continued oil leakage will contaminate the new one just the same.
The good news is that the oil leak seems to be keeping things from rusting under the vehicle.
The bad news is you should really fix that oil leak.
2002… So she has about over 100 000 miles on ticker, right? You being a good Samaritan, which is very commendable, did change rear differential, front differential, and transfer case fluids, right? Or else it WILL cost a lot of money to replace those parts. It’s 4Runner, you know, those run all the time, pun intended.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.