Mystery: Power Steering Fluid disapprearing from reservoir

Hello. I did a keyword search on this topic b/f posting and didn't come up with anything.

I noticed my PS pump whining and found reservoir was near empty. I re-filled and w/in one week PS reservoir was empty again. There is no fluid puddling on pavement.

Some one has suggested it's the steering rack and that fluid is leaking into the boots. Any insight re the diagnosis of this problem? If this is correct how do i go about fixing? I'm mechanically inclined. VW are new to me so the specifics and idiosyncrasies are unknown.

Thank you.

Two suggestions; 1. see if there is a TSB for this problem. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/tsbs/tsbsearch.cfm 2. Call local dealer to see if they have had experience with this problem.

carefully peel back the 2 boots on the end of the rack

Thanks for the suggestion. Haven't had a chance to check it yet.

Hypothetically: there is fluid in the boots. Then what. . .where to i start?

BTW: if i were to call a dealer around here they'd tell me to come in so they could check it out and then charge me. There are no favors in this neck of the woods.

follow the lines up from the steering box, looking for leaks, there's fluid somewhere

if the boots are full of oil it is time for a new steering rack