2019 LC Rack Boots

[Tandem]

Wanted to get some opinions, after my recent oil change the shop snapped some pictures of liquid on my rack boots, and recommended of full steering rack replacement, roughly 4k, which I get is a massive job so that price checks out.

I wanted to get you guys’ opinion on the pictures and how immediate this is and if there are less expensive alternatives in the meantime.

 

[GrouchyTech]

You do need a new rack, but until that point there’s not much harm in just letting it be. That’s a pretty minor leak in my opinion. It will get worse, of course, but they usually progress fairly slowly. Periodically check your power steering fluid level and keep it correct.

I’ll just say this about replacing the rack: I don’t think I’ve ever arrived to work and thought “I would just love to do a 200 series steering rack today!”

 

[iwashmycar]

Less expensive would probably only be OEM rack but at a Indy Shop.

 

[jlm43]

I'm not sure how it works on the 200 series but I can tell you what worked on my 100. I drove the 100 for another 60k miles or so and never had to top off fluid.

Get some AT-205 Reseal and some fresh high quality synthetic ATF. Add the recommended (per instructions on bottle) amount of AT-205 to a fresh quart of ATF. Thoroughly clean boots, use a syringe to suck out power steering fluid from reservoir. Fill reservoir with ATF / AT-205 mixture. Drive a couple hundred miles. Repeat as necessary.

You can jack up the front, disconnect the return line to the reservoir, put return line in empty catch can, start LC, repeatedly turn steering wheel side to side while ensuring the reservoir is full to flush the system quicker if you like.

 

[Tandem]

You do need a new rack, but until that point there’s not much harm in just letting it be. That’s a pretty minor leak in my opinion. It will get worse, of course, but they usually progress fairly slowly. Periodically check your power steering fluid level and keep it correct.

I’ll just say this about replacing the rack: I don’t think I’ve ever arrived to work and thought “I would just love to do a 200 series steering rack today!”

Appreciate the insight man. Was going to level and add 33s but may hold off now until I get the rack replaced.