Do I have a bad steering rack?

[Garageaholic]

I went to change the tie rods on my 87 325e and when i took the boots off of the tie rods/rack, they were both filled with fluid.

Are they supposed to be sealed to allow the steering fluid to stay in there? Or do I have a bad steering rack?

[StereoInstaller1]

I believe the saying goes "If your E30 has more than 50,000 miles, you have a bad steering rack" or something like that.

Luke

[LINUS]

Luke's telling you that the fluid doesn't belong there. You should see some grease on the toothed area that is exposed by pulling the the left side to full travel, but if you have anything more than you got problems.

[egk2]

I went to change the tie rods on my 87 325e and when i took the boots off of the tie rods/rack, they were both filled with fluid.

um yeah that is a good indicator that your rack is shot;)

[Garageaholic]

Thanks guys.

Looks like i'm going without Power Steering! It's not worth it. There are too many things wrong with my $500 eta right now. Not worth getting a new rack. Unless Someone is willing to sell me a cheap one!