Need advice on what to do with my steering rack. I started with needing wheel bearings in the front so while I was there, I picked up some lower control arms and a BBK. Everything went smooth as silk until I noticed my drivers side tie rod end had some play in it. Of course I could not get it to budge and had to take the inner off to really man-handle it in the vice. When pulling the boot off, I noticed there was mineral oil inside,but none was leaking out of the boot at all before then, and I have not had to add any recently.

So... I scoured the forums and internet for answers and I can't come up with a concrete answer. My question is should the rack be replaced as soon as oil leaks? or is it possible that some oil in the boot is normal? Car steers fine, not hard and does not pull in either direction. Any words of wisdom?

 

My understanding is that the inner end of the inner TRE seals the rack, and if you're seeing fluid in the boot or leaking, the rack is shot and needs replacement. Not a horrible job, but not fun by any means. Definitely doable though.

 

Thanks, that is what I thought too. I guess I am trying to talk myself out of a PITA replacement. Looking at the drivers side end of the rack after removing the inner tie rod end and boot you can see the steering gear and the gear teeth of the rack exposed, how does this get lubed? Is it normally greased or? Anybody know?

 

Pretty sure it's largely intended to be a sealed system and would only be opened to be rebuilt. Even an Audi tech told me after two unsuccessful attempts at rebuilding racks, he just replaced them from that point on.