QX4 SUV Front End Sagging...and..

[QX44ever]

Hi everyone:
I am new to this forum and I am not familiar with the engine of my SUV, mostly driven by the wife.
I am not sure where to place the following issues and I apologize if I violated any rules..:
I need to understand a few things regarding the issues I am having.
Issue 1: SUV front End has sagged. It has lowered to the point where the front tires are very close to the tire wells. Can it be suspensions, struts, shocks and springs?
Issue2: There is oil all under the front end, from the rad (from around the small hoses going to the rad on the passenger side) all the way back to the transmission housing and axles. The mechanic "thinks" it is coming from a bad rack and pinions and/or steering. By the way, I notice that, looking from the top, the steering column is somewhat shifted to the point it is touching the wheel well (driver side engine compartment).

Please be generous in your suggestions regarding these issues, based on your experience.
Thanks,
QX44ever
QX4 1997
123000 miles

[ARKQX33V6]

RE:97 QX4
Front springs are worn, causing sag. Struts are fixed overall length, shocks vary as to the distance from the fastening points, links or suspension linkage will change over time and wear, but what holds up the front are the springs. When they weaken they collapse and come down and lower the stance of things like the body which are attached.

The small hoses in the rad are transmission supply and return cooling hoses carrying transmission oil to and from the lower part of the rad which is a separate oil cooler or liquid to air heat exchanger. Since they are wet and leaking so are the transmission connection above the transmission and to the right of the transmission.

These banjo type seals have a crush washer to be replaced or at least removed and cleaned and tighten up.

If left as they are your transmission oil will drop as measured on the dip stick and if too low will get:
hotter
may not shift
sloppy shifts
turn brown from too much heat

Doubtful to be rack and pinion, but to be safe check the steering reservoir and fill at the correct level according to temp, best to check when engine has been off over night, it will be cold.

With tires hitting fender liners the coil springs have sagged so much that the steering u joint has lowered.

At 123 K miles the wear you are having is excess in the springs. You must have more city type miles than highway.

How is the rest of the car?

[QX44ever]

Thanks for your quick reply:
As far as the rest of the car, it is in good shape.
Most of my worries are the issues spelled out above.
I have been keeping an eye on the trans oil level as well as the steering reservoir. I top them off as soon as needed.
Should I have the transmission and its connections looked into? Can this be the source of the oil showing all over the place?
As for the replacement of the coil springs, how much do you think that's going for and is it a big job ?

Yes, more city driving with (road bumps...) as you may imagine.
Thanks again.
QX44ver.

[m0nkeyprince]

yeah, its def a transmission leak, you should very rarely have to top off your transmission oil, if its low, its most likely a leak somewhere

[QX44ever]

Thanks to all for your responses.
I will be washing the bottom of the truck and figure out where the leak might be coming from.
I will keep you posted of my findings.
QX44ever.