[s-cars] S6 steering rack; unusual leak

[Steve Marinello]

The travails of the S6 avant continue.  The rebuilt Jorgen rack put on
about 3.5 years ago just blew our the end seals on the passenger
side...where it is an end bolt with internal o-ring seals.  Have never
heard of a rack leaking there before.  Not the banjo bolt seal and not the
internal seals, as the boots are dry.  Thought the bomb was going when the
brake light came on and the fluid level was way down.  Filled it up and the
light went off and all was good...until the next morning when the rack
started moaning as I turned into work and the fluid level was down again.
 Nothing on the ground before I headed to my mechanic that afternoon, but
when we put it up, there was fluid all over the right side suspension and
blown all along the bottom of the car.  Cleaned it up and checked and it's
the freakin' end bolt.

Certainly out of warranty, but even the tech and production guys at Jorgen
admit they've never had one fail like that.  Not real comfortable about
pulling it to replace seals, as the damn think might just leak again due to
other issues.  This rack, by the way, has about 15k on it, in Houston
weather, so no real cold weather issues on it, and the kid went to college
so I've been the only one driving it, except for my mechanic and his young
trainees occasionally.

Doesn't make sense.  I, unfortunately, lean towards another rack.  Any
advice or comments?

Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Steve