5000 Steering Racks

[steveb@newkla.kla.com (Steven Buchholz)]

As I may have mentioned in a previous posting I recently replaced the 
steering rack on my 5KCSQ wagon ('88).  My ordel started in a similar 
way to the one that GARY@synaxis.com is describing in his recent post.  
I found that I was having to top up the green stuff every once in a 
while.  I wasn't sure where the fluid was going because I didn't have 
any visible oil leaks.  As the leak rate increased I found that it was 
in fact the rack that was leaking, and the boot on the rack had hardened 
and broken open.  It was several months before the leak worsened to the 
point where the rack needed replacement.  I'll save that story for 
another time except to say MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP TRACK OF WHERE THE 
PRESSURE AND RETURN LINES CONNECT TO THE RACK BEFORE YOU TAKE ANYTHING 
APART!  

The thing I was wondering is if the leaks are due to the deterioration 
of the boot?  One the integrity of the seal is lost it is possible for 
stuff to get on the shaft.  This stuff could then get into the seals (is 
there a wiper?) and cause the leak.  Has anyone else noticed deteriora-
tion of the boot prior to failure?

Steve Buchholz