Steering rack leak

[Enter Hummer]

I know this has been covered before but could not find the answer. So the passenger side boot by the tie rod has a small leak. Not sure if its oil or grease but its only on the bottom of the boot.

Is the issue the boot or a seal of some sort? Can it be repaired or does the whole thing have to be replaced? And also is there a write-up?

The only talk of this I could find were old posts with no definitive answers. Thanks in advance!

 

[rascole]

Easier to replace the whole rack. Not too hard of a project.

 

[Hunner]

It is probably the seal in the end of the rack. That would be hard to replace without taking the rack out and making a tool to fit the slots. Not even sure about the availability of a seal specific to that.
It's possible a good hydraulic shop could repair it but guessing it would cost as much as a rack.

Until the supply of racks goes away,
If your mileage is high it's possible the other end may go.

With tie rod removed it looks like this with the seal way in there.
I will attempt to upload an image direct to the forum.

 

[Enter Hummer]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll get a new one put in and try to save the old one as a spare. They aint cheap :sigh:

 

[alrock]

I've had a tiny leak for a long time. It hasn't been enough to worry about replacing the rack or even checking the fluid more than every couple of months.

 

[Hunner]

It could also, "suck" air back in the system.