Inner tie rod boot tore lost power steering fluid.

[madbrown]

Recently had been hearing a straining noise when I had my front wheels cranked. Discovered my power steering reservoir was empty, which I thought was odd. So filled up the reservoir. Then today noticed that there's fluid splattered in the wheel well and underneath the passenger side of the vehicle. After closer inspection I also noticed that the boot on the inner tie rod was torn. The correlation of the 2 instances make sense, but wondering where the actually repair is needed. Other than replacing the boot?

 

[waskly]

rack is leaking or the line if the rack is leaking you need a rack

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

the boot dosnt hold back the fluid, the seal in the end of the rack does. you need to replace the rack

 

[madbrown]

I'm not familiar w/rack&pinion so much. Where should, and how do I check the rack & its hose? Thanks

 

[Rudy602]

Wipe off all your power steering lines and refill the resivoir with fluid. Start the engine and try to determine where the leak is coming from. If it is substantial you could probably turn the engine off shortly after starting and still see where it's coming from. The rack has the inner tie rods attached to it - covered by the boots and has the power steering lines connected to it near where the steering shaft connects. If you've sprayed a lot of steering fluid around under the hood, you better check the serpentine belt. Like surrealNJ said, " if it's the rack that's leaking, you need a new rack."

 

[madbrown]

Is there a thread w/photos on how to replace a rack?