How to confirm power steering rack leak?

[FireFox31]

Where can I look to positively identify that a power steering rack is leaking? Can I pull back the tie rod boots and look for fluid coming out of those seals? I'd like to be sure it's the rack before I complete the (apparently) arduous and expensive rack replacement.

[scot850]

If you are loosing fluid and there is no apparent dampness around the pump shaft seal, the header tank or the pipe between the 2, or any of the pipes from the pump and back then there is only one place it can go. Depending how much you are losing, you may be able to feel it through the tie-rod boots as one will feel different to the other assuming only one side is leaking.

I have a couple of re-build seal kits I got a few years back for a SMI rack but never needed them in the end. O got the kits from Corteco. The only seal I wanted was the top dome boot where the steering column attached to the rack shaft, naturally that is the only one not supplied!

I did see someone using a re-build kit on one side of their rack without removing it on a Youtube video a long time ago. If you want to try that yourself, PM me and I will dig one out and send it to you.

Neil.

[jreed]

On my '97, there was quite a bit of red power steering fluid in the boots covering the tie rods.
There is a picture here:
viewtopic.php?t=58194
I have been monitoring the fluid levels weekly since then and topping up as needed with 'high mileage' ATF fluid, which has helped keep the leak rate low (~20-50 mL per month).

[FireFox31]

I finally inspected my rack boots. The right one had about six tears and evidence of old and current fluid leaks. I will check the inner tie rod for play (damage from dirt and water), then maybe replace it before replacing the boot.

I have been monitoring the fluid levels weekly since then and topping up as needed with 'high mileage' ATF fluid, which has helped keep the leak rate low (~20-50 mL per month).

Thanks for this hard data about fluid loss, jreed. Interestingly, I haven't lost any fluid in five months (the level seemed to increase when the summer heat started, surely from fluid expansion). Maybe it leaks more in the winter; December to February are the only times I saw the level drop.

And thanks, jreed, for all of your great DIY procedures over the years. I was just studying your shock and spring procedures last week.

[Chuck W]

If there is ATF fluid in the boots, it is leaking.

It's possible it's on the way out, so you might start planning ahead for the eventuality of a rack replacement.

[RickHaleParker]

Tracer dye and a UV light.

[jreed]

Thanks for the feedback above. I got so much education and money savings out of this website I wanted to contribute something back.