I am trying to buy a 3.7 KJ. I found a really nice one but while looking at the truck underbody I found what looked like a steering rack leak.



https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxm2yL1MjMbfVXpidFpqUzdleWc/view?usp=sharing

So, I gave up on that one. However, later on it occurred to me that this might be actually engine oil that spilled out of the oil filter during an oil change and not really a leak in the rack. The filter is somewhere above this point as far as i can remember. I have to drive like two hours, though, to confirm that.

So, can you guys give me some insight on this? Could this be the oil filter doing that indeed?

You are correct. And if that Liberty has the Heavy Duty cooling with the extended fan shroud it is really tough to get the filter off without spilling oil all over the crossmember and steering rack. Power steering leaks usually occur around the hoses - not likely the rack itself is leaking.

Bob

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2003 Liberty
- 3.7L V6, NP242 SelecTrac Transfer Case
- OME 927/948's, Bilsteins, JBA Gen 4.5 A-arms, JBA 1/4" top plate, 3-ring clevis, 2 extra rear isos
- Rubicon Moabs
- 4.10's, 265/70-16 Goodyear Duratracs
- 4X Guard Trans Skid, Modded BoulderBars, Mopar Engine, T-Case, Tank Skids, ARB bumper, Smittybilt 9500XRC winch

Or inside the flex boots at the end seals.

(other) Bob

Yep, the filter will leak oil onto the rack during oil changes...From what I understand synthetic will do a number on the rack bushings (I hope I don't open a giant can of worms with that statement...) just to be on the safe side I usually throw a rag over the steering rack bushing that is underneath the filter when I do an oil change...

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Black '05 Renegade. Front suspension: Frankenlift, Moog HD LBJ's, Audiboy cut CV's
Rear suspension: OME 948's, 2 extra upper ISO's, Rancho RS 5000 shocks.
31X10.50X15 Duratrac's/ProComp 152's
ARB bumper, Mopar skids, JCR stage III's, Reese hitch with tractor lights, Champion shackle insert, "homebrew" on board air, 1000 watt inverter

I've replaced the rack bushings due to them getting sloppy from oil contamination. Changed the steering hoses too because they were weeping. Now I try really hard to be tidy about spilling oil around the engine compartment.

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Hers: 2005 KJ, V6/6spd/NV242J/3.73/posi, 2" Teraflex, ¾" cradle drop, KK forks, 22½" hub-to-flare, RRO arms, 245/75R16s, 260,000km
Mine: 1993 W250, Cummins/5spd/NP205/3.54, Lockright, ~3" lift, 315/75R16 Duratracs, extra smoke, more noise, 374,000km

Thanks a bunch, guys. I did go back there and I checked it out again. It resembled engine oil much more than power steering fluid...

So, I did get that KJ after all