I'm in the process of freshening up my front suspension/steering (upper & lower BJ, inner & outer TRE, shock & strut assembly, rack bushings).

I removed the metal strap holding the accordian boot to the steering rack and slid the boot down; some dark brown/rust colored fluid dripped out from inside the boot. The amount was maybe a tablespoons worth, and did not have any noticable smell or odor to it (didn't smell like PS fluid or any other chemicals).

Could the rack be leaking out into the boot, but with such a small amount?

Additionally, how in the living hell do you get the outer TRE seperated from the inner?!? I've been reefing on that stupid jam-nut coupling for the past few days (with liberal doses of PB Blaster inbetween) and I'm applying so much force that I'll begin lifting the whole front suspension assembly on that corner. Am I missing something?

 

TACO ball joints

Mine were just lke yours. I used a dremel with a cutting disc to remove it. Cut all the way through and then hammer the cut with a chissel. Think ahead, because you'll need a new Jamb nut which usually only comes with the ITRE. If I recall, it was M20 x 1.5 it was big.