Power steering rack leak?

xjohnnyxcrunkx said:

Hey everyone, I changed the oil in my truck today and noticed a tear in the boot on the passenger side of the steering rack. The area of the tear is wet with fluid, not a lot but it's wet. I know the boot is only there to protect from mud/debris so would this indicate that my steering rack is leaking? Are those seals replaceable or am I looking at a new rack?

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Yukon Joe said:

It's most likely wet from the water that had been getting in there. The gear has grease on it, so it may be coming out as well with the water.

The boots are replaceable. You have to disconnect the tie rod from the wheel spindle. Very easy to do.
Remove the band clamp on the gear side by cutting it.
Remove the spring clamp on the wheel side.
Slid the old boot off.
Slide new $30 boot on.
Add a size 28 hose clamp to the gear side and tighten.
Reinstall spring clamp on wheel side.
Reinstall tie rod end to wheel spindle.
This will not mess up your alignment.

I think @SDHQ may sell an aftermarket tie rod boot that is more pliable, but not 100% sure.

@Yukon Joe
Run Raptor Run | Great Lakes Raptor Excursions (GLRE)

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xjohnnyxcrunkx said:

Hey everyone, I changed the oil in my truck today and noticed a tear in the boot on the passenger side of the steering rack. The area of the tear is wet with fluid, not a lot but it's wet. I know the boot is only there to protect from mud/debris so would this indicate that my steering rack is leaking? Are those seals replaceable or am I looking at a new rack?

Click to expand...