Steering rack leaking

[Big Timber]

Just had my 2018 LX with 80,000 miles serviced and the tech noted my front shocks were showing a small leak as well as the steering rack. Did not recommend replacing now, but will within the next year. He also stated that this is common at this mileage. I know with the shocks it might be common, but is the steering rack a common failure point now? Are there any seals that can just be replaced rather than replacing the whole rack?

 

[bloc]

Steering rack seals are internal to the unit, they can’t be replaced without a full rebuild. 80k would not be common at all.. these things do go bad but many more give no issues well into advanced mileage. Mine is at 235k without a drop. Yours has a lot of life left in it.. I’d just monitor things for a while. You have plenty of time.

Those shocks can go a whole lot longer as well. When they get to the point that fluid is migrating down the majority of the shock body, time to replace.

 

[TimCFJ40]

our 08 had the same issue with the steering rack leaking, although the mileage when it started was much higher (285k or so). It was much worse and still never even lowered the level in the reservoir appreciably.

I'd run that rack until it actually leaked enough to notice. It's an expensive job and as long as you don't let it drop low on fluid has no consequence to leaving it alone and letting it weap a little.

I suspect yours started weeping due to aging rubber seals rather than mileage.

 

[GrouchyTech]

Just keep an eye on the rack.

our 08 had the same issue with the steering rack leaking, although the mileage when it started was much higher (285k or so). It was much worse and still never even lowered the level in the reservoir appreciably.

I'd run that rack until it actually leaked enough to notice. It's an expensive job and as long as you don't let it drop low on fluid has no consequence to leaving it alone and letting it weap a little.

I suspect yours started weeping due to aging rubber seals rather than mileage.

I agree, I wouldn’t touch that rack at this point. I agree with the technician’s recommendation to just note it and keep an eye on it.

I would probably clean the shocks off and keep an eye on that, as well. They’re pretty wet for that mileage, but it doesn’t look too critical at the moment.

 

[linuxgod]

My rack leaked like that for about 50k miles before I replaced it. I did mine because I finally had to add PS fluid between oil changes and it was a lot wetter. Expect to drop $2500-3000 for the rack and labor.