replacing a rack and pinion or boot kit 2000 ford taurus

[Bunzi]

I have a 2000 Ford Taurus with a leaking rack and pinion. I would like to replace either the entire rack or replace the leaking boot. How hard is it to replace the rack or the boot kit. A repair shop wants a fortune to replace the entire rack. I have a found a boot replacement kit. Thanks for your help. Bunzi

[2.2 Straight six]

the boots don't cause the leak, they just protect the rack and keep the grease in and the dirt out. if it's leaking power steering fluid then the rack is knackered. in which case you need to replace it. you replace a boot when it's torn/split. changing the boot will only hold the fluid in for longer until it fills and either the fluid seeps out or it blows out from pressure.

[Selectron]

If you're going to do the job yourself, you should use the Search feature on the Taurus forum for any information which might be helpful - it's one of the busier Ford forums and there's a wealth of useful information in there. In particular, I noticed this thread last week - apparently it's easy to inadvertently damage the airbag clockspring (located within the steering column) when replacing the rack, if you don't follow the correct procedure.