[sienna_rave]

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.

 

[supra129]

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

A month like you said is fine. You did good and that fluid is nice and red now.

 

[victor23]

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.

 

[sienna_rave]

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.

 

[sienna_rave]

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!

 

[jerrys52]

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.

Ditto: I have a 2006 XLE with 103,000 miles;

I noticed occasional small drops of some sort of fluid on the garage floor. I could detect no loss of fluid in the power steering fluid reservoir.

A while back when it was up on the rack, the mechanic showed me about a[ 3 inch wide by 1 inch high] stain spot of fluid on the passenger side boot on the power steering rack. He told me it was nothing to worry about.

On my own initiative, I added some Lucas "Oil Power Steering Stop Leak"; Since then, I have had no problems with steering or steering fluid whatsoever.
Also: there have been no more stains from spots of fluid on the garage floor.


I talk with mechanics almost every day on various issues.
I've inquired about the matter.
I've been told that if I do not detect any loss of fluid in the power steering reservoir, it is not a significant issue and should forget it.


However, if stains on the garage floor reappear, they suggest I change just the boot as shown in youtube videos.

 

[sienna_rave]

Ditto: I have a 2006 XLE with 103,000 miles;

I noticed occasional small drops of some sort of fluid on the garage floor. I could detect no loss of fluid in the power steering fluid reservoir.

A while back when it was up on the rack, the mechanic showed me about a[ 3 inch wide by 1 inch high] stain spot of fluid on the passenger side boot on the power steering rack. He told me it was nothing to worry about.

On my own initiative, I added some Lucas "Oil Power Steering Stop Leak"; Since then, I have had no problems with steering or steering fluid whatsoever.
Also: there have been no more stains from spots of fluid on the garage floor.


I talk with mechanics almost every day on various issues.
I've inquired about the matter.
I've been told that if I do not detect any loss of fluid in the power steering reservoir, it is not a significant issue and should forget it.


However, if stains on the garage floor reappear, they suggest I change just the boot as shown in youtube videos.

Thanks for this information; I will go this route if I spot any further leaks around the boot and/or replace the boot.

 

[saidiadude2]

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.

 

[ToyotaCamrySienna]

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.

 

[sienna_rave]

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.

 

[jac]

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.

 

[sienna_rave]

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?

 

[Roader]

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.

 

[jac]

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.

 

[sienna_rave]

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...

 

[sienna_rave]

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?

 

[Nova_Prospects]

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