Steering Rack Oil

[DMCMW Dave]

Do our boots then retain rack oil? Are they more than just dust boots?

My rack felt stiff so I figure id investigate. It looked bone dry so I added oil, which proceeded to make it clear I had an otherwise hidden tear in the drivers side boot.

Oil does end up in the boots. They are there mostly to keep dirt out, as any oil that gets into the boots stays there. It's not like it circulates.

[er1c]

I have just done this and swapped boots and there was a lot of oil in each boot. What's the recommendation for refilling ?

Just refill to the top at the access panel and not worry about wondering if it has seeped into where the boots are ?

Looking at the mechanism for turning the rack each time you full lock its inevitable oil of the equivalent rack depth will seep into the boot so its well worth doing.