I've noticed this area was covered in oil, but couldn't quite tell where the oil was coming from. Just last week it got bad enough to start leaving very small oil spots on the driveway, which is the point where I stop ignoring oil leaks...

I had just done the driver side cv axle so I worried I might have damaged that axle seal, but this leak is almost definitely either the front diff output shaft seal, or the "control valve" that connects the steering shaft into the steering rack. This is looking forward from behind the front axle. Clutch release cylinder is the blue thing on the right.



This is after I wiped off some oil to see better. I found this thread. It looks like there's no easy, cheap way to do this, like a simple seal replacement. Anyone have any experience? My power steering fluid isn't low yet, so it's not a terrible problem except that I don't like leaving oil spots. Too many friends with nice driveways.

 

Yes its best to find a replacement rack when they leak from the top like that, it doesn't look bad in the pic, its never a severe leak but bothersome considering the capacity, mess and components involved, you can rebuild them or have it rebuilt if someone in the area is capable and your good with down time. I've had good luck with salvage yards for steering racks that didn't have front end damage or minor damage not effecting control arms, I also try to get the updated OEM racks with the Hex fitting for the steering guide, and those line fittings can be a bear to get off, I've used crow foots for the tight spots and once I had to cut the line to get a socket on it and replace the sacrificed line, and its a good time for poly steering bushings ITRE OTRE if its a donor rack ( maybe the neglected LBJ's) while your in there and since you'll need an alignment, and there is differences between the outer tie rods ends from 4R to Taco but both racks are the same, and you will want to fix your steering wheel to centre and align it to the new centred rack on the splines, you can bump it around afterwards on the spline before it is tightened down but its best to get it dam close the first time without losing track of centre. I haven't tried the rebuild racks available, but they look shiny..

 

Alright, thanks. I started looking around at racks a bit yesterday. Actually cheaper than going with OEM cv axles...but I'd still rather avoid it. I'll see how it goes for now and I guess keep my eye out for used donors. I did replace my steering guide with the updated version. And just did inner and outer tie rods last fall...