Just picked up the Rodeo from my mechanic; total charge---$0.00. Awesome, I am happy. I fealt foolish, but it is good to know. The fluid inbetween the oil pan and tranny pan is an undercoating.

As far as the boot with fluid on it, it is the steering rack seeping. Good news is, my mechanic said it shopuld still be good for years.

On a side note, it is nice to have an honest mechanic. They could have taken me for a lot of money, instead I was charged nothing to have my vehicle looked at. This is why I have been going there for 14 years.

Now it is time to take care of the diffs and transfer case.
Marc