987.2 steering rack leak

I'm working on a suspension refresh on my 987.2 with ~70k miles and noticed a small amount of power steering fluid in the passenger side boot (see picture below). Does a small leak like this necessarily indicate the need to replace the rack? It doesn't look like a terrible DIY job, but I'm running out of time before I need the car on the road again and am inclined to defer that job if I can. On the other hand, I already have the suspension torn apart in the front, so now would be a good time to do it. The leak is slow enough that I've never had to add fluid in the five years that I've owned the car. If a replacement is necessary, what's the best path forward? A rebuilt unit? Thanks in advance for your recommendation.

Apparently, the racks don't fail very often. That's a conclusion I came to after looking at 987 racks on eBay.. used they average around $200. If it's just one end that's leaking chances are if you can get the replacement seal, you or a competent mechanic can install it. There are techniques used for motorcycle forks, where there is the same sort of lip seal, to remove the old seal and install a new one. As long as the shaft isn't scored that should fix the leak. My guess on rebuilt ones - you want to use a major supplier of rebuilt parts - and I can't name one at the moment, that research is up to you. I suspect the quality of rebuilds ranges from "clean it up and get a can of silver spray paint.. good to go" to "we will rebuild it to better than factory specs just because we can.." - sort of like alternators (which is why the only rebuilt alternator I would use is one rebuilt by the OE manufacturer..) Or just buy one of the used eBay ones and install it. If it works - alls good. If not you have your old one which you can now send to have rebuilt.. the same rack was used for all the 987 cars and the 997 cars. It has a 997 part number.

Thanks for your thoughts. I'll probably pick up a rebuild kit and make it a winter project.

This is an update on this issue. Per the post above, I opted to reassemble the car and make the rack a winter project. A few weeks ago on a cool day, I started to hear a groaning noise when turning at low speeds in a parking lot. Today, I put the car up on jackstands and was surprised to find the boots dry and the power steering fluid at the correct level in the reservoir. The joint where the lines go into the rack on the driver's side is also dry. With the wheels off and the car in the air, the only noise seems to be coming from the pump at full left and right lock. Is this an indication that my power steering pump is going out? Any other suggestions?

Groaning at full lock is not unusual. It's normal once you get to full lock.

True. I've never really noticed it before on this car though. Although I'm almost never at full lock. It may have been the temp causing the noise earlier.