Tie rod issue, need some help

[Army97]

I noticed a very slight vibration in the wheel on the highway the other day and have since been reading all the posts i can find and my haynes manual about the steering system in my 97. Climbed under today and here is what i found.

All the bushings on the rack look fine and have no play in them. The ball joints look fine as well. When i jacked up the front end there is no play in the tire with a pry bar, and none side to side. There are no thumps or anything when turning the wheel, all i hear is the fluid in the rack moving. Drivers side tie rod has no clunks or noises.

The passenger side.. When I took the outside end of the boot off some fluid came out, I noticed the lower half of the boot is stained more than the drivers. I am pretty sure its power steering fluid, it looked redish.

does this mean I have to replace the passenger side inner tie rod end? I took it to the firestone on base and they claimed the rack is leaking and i need to replace the whole rack...

 

[Singtoe]

If the rack is leaking, then you will have to replace it or rebuild it. It will usually come with the inner tie rods.

 

[Army97]

is the steering fluid in the boot a good indicator the rack is leaking? I would guess that it is...

 

[Army97]

Can anyone help? am I right that steering fluid in the tie rod boot means the rack needs to be replaced?

 

[J-money$$$]

Can anyone help? am I right that steering fluid in the tie rod boot means the rack needs to be replaced?

It there is steering fluid in the boot on the side of the rack it is obviously leaking, if the leak is small i wouldnt worry too much about it. Steering racks are very expensive.

But you need to make sure its steering fluid. I have slightly torn boots and have had water inside. When I pulled the boot off some brown rusty water came out. My best advise is to dry out the boots. put them back on and see if more fluid appears during a dry week without rain