what kind of steering rack am I looking at here?

[tewhalen]

Just pulled off my passenger-side steering rack boot on my 1987 325i convertible, and (after some thin dirty fluid came out, uh oh) I noticed that my steering rack doesn't match what's in the Bentley manual. I was planning on replacing the tie rods, and have parts in hand, but I'm not sure I can use them.

What have I got here? Is it something special, or is it normal but super screwed up?

EDIT: Note to other newbies, what we're looking at here is what the rack looks like when the wheel is turned. Turn it back the other way, dummy.

[e304lyfe]

so I guess you answered your own question? ...looks like a standard e30 rack. if there was fluid in that boot, then your steering rack is leaking and should be replaced.