I started hearing a squeak sound coming from the PS Front wheel area. The sound got faster when the car sped up......I figured it might be the tire, but checked it out anyway. The tie-rod boot is torn. Normally, if I had found this under other circumstances, i would've just replaced the boot but the fact that I can hear a squeak is what bothers me. Has anyone had to do this at all? Does this sound like a typical steering gear/rack and pinion problem or could this be something else? I'll swap the tires front to back tonight to see if that changes anything....but in the meantime, I just wanted to make sure I would be safe by just replacing the boot. Replacing the gear/rack seems to be a nightmare I don't even want to attempt.

Edit: The steering appears fine, no play or anything.

 

As long as there isnt any fluid leaking out you should be fine to just replace the boot (steering gear boot, that is).

 

I haven't noticed any fluids leaking or any drop in levels...but the boot appears greasy/wet (uh oh) Could it be grease from within?

 

Thats in an area with a lot of other things that can leak p/s fluid, like the pump and lines. Look around and see if you can spot any leaks above the boot area. How long has the boot been torn?

 

I have no idea how long the boot's been torn. I just found a hole in the cv boot as well...small, but enough to send grease flying to that area as well as onto the oil filter. On further thought, I doubt the rack/tierod has anything to do with the squeak because the rod doesn't rotate...

Regardless, I need to replace the tie rod boot immediately but the cv axle will be replaced a little further down the line. (pretty easy but i'm just soooo lazy right now )

 

it cant be anything with the PS if it goes up when you speed up. the boots on the rack are just dust covers so dont even bother wasting time or money on them. if your axle is still ok and if you hadnt lost too much grease you can try to fix the hole with tar.

 

It is very likely that it is hub bearing. I had that replaced about year an a half ago on that same wheel. It usually can be heard at slow speeds and goes away as you speed up.