For some reason your pictures are refusing to load larger for me.

If it's a torn boot, it's just like any other torn boot - repair depends on how much grease has been lost & how much dirt has gotten in.

If you've got fluid leaking through the boot with no tears, it's a common problem on Toyotas of this era - a seal inside the boot is leaking PSF.

I've seen a couple of posts by people who replaced the seal themselves but the usual recommended solution is a rebuilt from the Rack Doctor.

Lots of bad reports on parts store rebuilt racks, and $$$ for a Toyota rebuilt rack.

 

I have uploaded the pictures again and now are loading for me.
If there is a seal that is leaking inside the boot and the boot has no tears then where is it leaking from?
is it possible to replace the boot without removing the shaft assembly? I've read briefly about boots that can be installed without removing anything.
What is the criticality of this if I don't do anything what is the worst that will happen/is it better to address now versus later?
I haven't seen any further drops on the garage floor since 2 days ago and the van has been driven each day since.

 

1) It's called a rack and pinion bellow at Rockauto.com. I call it the steering rack boot.

2) It's a common issue involving the right side boot. Although yours hasn't shredded yet. The cause is probably the seal inside the rack. Others and myself have replaced the power steering fluid and it has stopped. You could replace the boot without removing the outer tie rod by using a greased plastic bag and sliding the boot over it.

3) You should be using transmission fluid and not power steering fluid if you don’t know that already. I use Dexron 3 transmission fluid.

 

Dumb question:
If the seal inside the rack is failing and replacing the fluid helps it "heal", then why would there be a hole in the rack and pinion bellow? I ordered a new rack and pinion bellow from rockauto in case it does have a tear in it after cleaning and inspecting it this coming weekend but not clear on why and how the inner seal leak would cause a tear in it?

 

Do a search or simply scroll thru the threads in this section, and you will find many discussions on boot and rack failures for this generation van. It starts with a very slow leakage of PS fluid from the rack seal into the boot, and a chemical reaction with the grease and boot material turn it into muck in a year or so. Replacing the boot may buy you another year, maybe not. Typically you'll end up replacing the rack. Rack Doctor, IIRC, is one of the better low priced sources of rebuilt Sienna hardware.

 

Thanks guys.
I plan to do the following:
1. Replace the PS fluid with Dexron II/III with 2 quarts over a week and wait a few weeks to see if any further leaks develop
Current fluid is clear color and looks clean to me, perhaps it is not the correct fluid? I have a couple of quarts of sealed Toyota ATF WS (red fluid) - will that work for the PS?
2. Fibber2, I saw the other threads and also mention of rack doctor. I will explore if step 1 does not hold.

TIA.

 

Clear fluid is probably power steering fluid and the wrong fluid. You will probably need more than two quarts. Walmart Supertech Dexron III is $13 for a gallon. That's what I use.

I would just monitor it and see if it works. It worked for me and I eventually replaced the boot without replacing the rack.

Here is a faster way to flush the fluid without using the turkey baster.

 

Bought 2 quarts of Valvoline Max Life Full Synthetic ATF.
Hope to start swapping fluids this week.
I will be using the turkey baster method.

 

If you are looking for a thicker fluid like a true Dex II or III, Valvoline Max Life is not the right product. It's pretty thin to meet the WS standard. Brookfield of around 8,000 or so. Valvoline did make (not sure if it is still available) a true Dex-III in the blue bottle that has a Cp of over 16,000. I used the old blue bottle stuff in my 2002 Subaru Outback 4 speed auto, and it worked great.

Dex-II is crazy thick by today's standards, but I'm sure it's still available.

 

Thanks guys.
O'Reilly auto had the blue Valvoline ATF Dexron III but I bought the max life since it was synthetic. I guess synthetic tends to be thinner.
This is the blue bottle valvoline ATF they have - is that the one you refer to fibber2?
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...id---vehicle-specific-13555/61bd9d474444/valvoline-transmission-fluid/d/4773319


Which one would be better/thicker: valvoline blue bottle dex 3 or the Walmart super tech?
Thanks for the video that method seems easy enough for me to do... it is nice to have some elbow room in the sienna around the PS reservoir compared to other cars...

 

In most cases, a fluid listed as single replacement application such as Dex-III or Merc-Dex where they pretty much merged on a common weight spec will be a heavier weight fluid. Brookfield of around 16k (cold spec). The "Universal" 'replaces all products' tend to be super thin at low temps, but converge on commonality at higher temps.

So if you are looking for heavier, either the Dex-III or Merc-Dex would be a better choice than Max, IMHO.

 

Thanks.
Returned the max and bought a gallon of the regular dex 3 Valvoline ATF from Walmart for $14.
Will be doing this weekend.

 

The leaking fluid over time probably caused the boot to deteriorate and tear plus the movement of the tie rods moving in and out(stretching the boot) of the steering rack when you turn the steering wheel. Who knows how long it's been leaking inside the boot. You probably only noticed once the boot tore and leaked.

 

Thanks!
I will try the freezer bag method I saw one guy on YouTube showing that method on the drivers side but read somewhere that the passenger side is harder but not sure why guess will soon find out.

 

 

Good luck and hopefully it fixes the leak. By the way you must live in a southern state because your underside has no rust.

 

I am in central California.
Vehicle has been in the Tahoe area but only during the summer months.
How long should I wait after cleaning the boot and changing the ATF to see if the leak has stopped? (weeks or months)?
Boot arrives next week.
I figure it would make sense to ensure this before changing the boot? And I guess if it doesn't stop leaking then it would not make sense to just replace the boot at that stage unless to buy more time before deciding to replace the whole rack?

 

I would monitor it and wait until spring. Maybe do two flushes of the fluid. If it stops then replace the boot. Looking at my notes it stopped within 3k miles but your outcome maybe different.

 

Thank you sir.
Any recommendation on interval/time between the flushes?

 

Just did a flush of the system as per the above mentioned YouTube video. It took more time finding the right size hose extension and something to plug the inlet to the reservoir. Total time about an hour with an assistant.

I also cleaned the greasy boot and the chassis but it wasn't too much.
The rubber boot feels very flexible and not something that has seen years of exposure to the sun and aging effects... But nonetheless will do another flush in a month or so and keep an eye on any further leaks.
Thanks for all the guidance on this forum. Will be posting any relevant updates to this thread.

 

In my 2005, after changing the boot, I just added some 'Lucas Oil Power Steering Stop Leak' 8 or 9 years ago, and the leak stopped. Didn't have to do anything else since then.

 

Thanks for the input.
I have been checking the boot after the initial PSF change [cleaned it thoroughly at the time] and I can see some residue starting to build up on the underside of it (though not as bad as it was prior - may need to wait more or perhaps the new fluid is helping seal any small gaps/leaks).
I plan on changing the PSF one more time in December/January and change the boot.
Not sure if Lucas PS Stop Leak is required but I guess it may not hurt, especially after changing the boot.

 

Update on above:
- did the second round of PSF change this weekend.
Fluid coming out was almost the same color as the new one and this is after almost 1000 miles since the last change in December.
Boot was also relatively clean with no sign of leakage (wiped with a white towel and only saw dirt versus grease residue) - see pics.
Looks like the PSF change did help condition the boot/seals/any pinsize hole(s). I have a replacement boot in hand will replace if I spot any leaks in the future.
thanks for all the assistance/information from this forum.

Happy New Year!

 

In my case, the grease was leaking out the cracked (plastic?) boot on my '04. I replaced both boots with Raqboot (from Australia?).
Also swapped out the PS fluid around that time. This was a couple of years ago and no problems 20K miles later.

 

Sienna_rave any update, did the leak stop or did you have to use Lucas Leak Stop? I have this same issue on my 2009 Sienna. I went to check the brake pads and notice the passenger side boot covered with oil and dirt very similar to your pictures. I just did the same flush with the same Valvoline ATF with very low miles at 40k. The stuff that was in there was amber and was pretty clean.

 

Hello,
Browsing this thread since I noticed 2 small oil residue drops on the garage floor yesterday and the boot is filthy.
I plan on cleaning it and adding some Lucas or blue devil stop leak to the PS reservoir.
PS fluid level still the same to me so hopefully the stop additives will help. I have not changed the boot yet though.

 

Did the boot replacement on the drivers side yesterday. Had some psf in the boot, but no loss noticed in the reservoir. Was going to do both sides, but they only had 1 boot at napa. Flushed it with about 3 qts of dex/merc and added some Lucas ps stop leak. I'll check it and follow up with results in a few months. Pretty easy job to replace the boot.

 

Cleaned and inspected the passenger side boot. Noticed a quarter sized tear looking at the boot from the front of the vehicle. Will look to replace the boot next weekend.
Parts clerk at O'Reilly recommended not to use any stop leak additives as most times they may cause more harm than good. I am leaning that way especially since PS reservoir level is still the same.

While I was under the van noticed higher up in the engine bay close to the firewall a piece of metal that looked like 2 Os O-O with a drop of oil on each. I am suspecting that was the source of the leak. Did not take pics will do next time anyone know what this part/area is?

 

The parts store clerk was likely mixing up Lucas power steering stop leak with cooling system stop leak. I've heard no bad reports on the former but lots of bad stuff about the latter.

The oil leak by the firewall could be a valve cover gasket or even a power steering pump or line leak.

 

The parts store clerk was likely mixing up Lucas power steering stop leak with cooling system stop leak. I've heard no bad reports on the former but lots of bad stuff about the latter.

People here seem to have some good with ps stop leak. I'm generally not a fan of additives, but the only things affected are the already leaking rack and the power steering pump. The only other solution is to replace the rack, which may be on the horizon anyway, or let it leak. Worth a shot IMO.

 

Thanks guys. I will take out the old boot this weekend and see how much crud is in there. The PS level has not dropped since I changed it with the Valvoline ATF late last year so may not really need the stop leak. I will replace the torn boot and continue monitoring.
More to come...

 

Replaced the boot yesterday.
Pics tell a thousand words...
Old boot had some oily residue inside but the tear was on the side and not the bottom which to me is from age/fatigue and not the PS fluid deteriorating it. I did purchase a 12 FL. Oz bottle of Lucas PS stop leak. Given this you guys recommend I drain a bit of the PS reservoir (still at same level as when I last flushed the system with Valvoline ATF last year) and add a 1/3 of the Lucas or just leave as is and continue monitoring?

 

Replaced the boot yesterday.
Pics tell a thousand words...
Old boot had some oily residue inside but the tear was on the side and not the bottom which to me is from age/fatigue and not the PS fluid deteriorating it. I did purchase a 12 FL. Oz bottle of Lucas PS stop leak. Given this you guys recommend I drain a bit of the PS reservoir (still at same level as when I last flushed the system with Valvoline ATF last year) and add a 1/3 of the Lucas or just leave as is and continue monitoring?
View attachment 47564 View attachment 47565 View attachment 47566 View attachment 47567

If you don't mind me asking - what did you end up doing? Did you end up adding the Stop Leak? Any results?

Also did you regrease the joint before replacing the boot? Which grease did you use?

Sorry for all the questions - I was putting my summer tires on yesterday and noticed my passenger rack & pinion bellow/boot is absolutely torn to shreds with a whole bunch of grease/grud onto the control arm.

Seems highly likely I'll be following in your footsteps soon enough - and hoping/praying I don't have to replace the entire rack and pinion.

Thanks!

2006 Sienna CE FWD - 190,000 KM