Steering rack boot leak

[judoant]

I was inspecting my front end to prepare for LBJ replacement and pulled back the boots on my steering rack. Upon pulling back the passenger side boot some fluid came out. It was rusty in color. The drivers side was dry.

Am I looking at a total rack replacement? I do not have any slop in my steering except for a slight steering shake at 50+ mph.

 

[snow junky]

yep, need to replace the whole rack.

 

[judoant]

yep, need to replace the whole rack.

dang! not the answer I wanted to hear.

 

[pluton]

dang! not the answer I wanted to hear.

The issue is this: after 15 years, the seals in the old rack have hardened.
They are waiting to crack and pass fluid...yours have already started.
There is no way to re-soften them. They're done.
There are thousands... of car owners who unwisely have the cheap, makeshift repairs done, only to have the seals spring more and more leaks.
You are doing it the 'right' way.