During a dry park inspection, power steering fluid is leaking from the rack and pinion bellows. What is the most likely cause?

The leakage of power steering fluid from the rack and pinion bellows during a dry park inspection is most commonly attributed to worn rack seals. The rack and pinion system consists of various seals designed to prevent fluid from escaping under normal operating conditions. Over time, these seals can wear due to age, friction, and exposure to heat and contaminants. When the seals become damaged or degraded, they can no longer effectively retain the steering fluid, leading to leaks that can be observed at the bellows.

In the other scenarios, while they could potentially lead to fluid leakage, worn rack seals typically present a more direct and common cause for this issue. An incorrectly installed bellows or a missing clamp might result in fluid leaks, but these are more related to improper assembly or maintenance rather than wear and tear. Excessive power steering pump pressure can also cause leakage, but again, it does not directly correlate to the specific condition of the seals in the rack and pinion assembly. Therefore, worn rack seals are the most likely cause of the fluid leakage observed during the inspection.