I have a 2008 2wd with the 3.7L a week ago I noticed a few drops of fluid and it appears to have come from the left side boot of the rack and pinion I haven't seen a drop since, both boots are a little moist but not wet or dripping, I checked the power steering fluid it was a little low but still registered on the dipstick (I did top it off).

The question is what do I do now, get the rack and pinion replaced right away or monitor it to see if I see any other drips and keep a close eye on the power steering fluid?

 

remove the boot clamp and pry a gap in the boot (or put a pinhole in the boot). if you see fluid in the boot replace the rack and get an alignment.

 

mine has been that way for 4 years, just keep monitoring it. if you notice the res constantly going out of fluid, time to replace!

 

Do you keep adding fluid or are you just watching it?

 

about every 30 days the fluid hits the low mark on the stick. refill and do it again next month!

 

It's been 3 months (2-3k miles) the fluid level hasn't changed and no drips on the floor am I good to go or is it just a matter of time?

 

I must have missed this thread before. I've been seeing a few drops of fluid on my 2005's rack boots for probably 10 years now. Topped off the fluid with a few ounces maybe twice during that period. Otherwise, never been an issue.

Not gonna sweat a huge repair bill when that single $5 bottle of fluid has lasted me through a decade.

 

Good to know I'm not alone. Thanks!

 

Mine was leaking from the drivers side as well. It still worked as long as I topped up the reservoir but I was "marking my spot" at work and finally swapped it out last month. I changed the rack, the high pressure hose and the outer tie rod ends and it wasn't a hateful job. I took measurements before I took it apart and set the new one up the same. It drove fine, but I have fairly new tires so I took it in for an alignment for insurance.

 

Well it's been about a year for the most part I'm good but I did see a couple of drops in the driveway, I did top off the fluid it didn't "need" any but I wanted to be at the top of the mark.