Doug C,

After reading the responses to your last three posts I have only a little to add. http://shop.swedishengineering.com/ is a good source for OEM parts. I found them a little slower on the delivery end but the prices are reasonable and they are reliable. FCP Groton now claims to guarantee everything and to supply OEM parts. My experience with them is that they often substitute aftermarket parts even when you order OEM specifically(by accident). They always make good on the mistake and pay for the shipping too, but you must be on the alert and it is a PIA to have to return things. They are fast on the shipping and the prices are good. The name of the company named in one of your previous posts is TASCA, http://www.tascaparts.com. It is a Volvo/Ford dealer ship and you know you are getting OEM parts. They also check you order against your vin # if yo give it to them so there is little mix up. The prices are LOW and the shipping is fast. My favorite.

As far as safety and worn bushings/play, there may not be any immediate danger in driving it for a week or two but on a rainy/slippery day you may do a lot more skidding than you would expect for the speed because a car with worn parts is like a car with wildly out of wack alignment when you apply the brakes.

As far as oil on the boots, that is not a good sign. If the hydraulic fluid is leaking out of the system I would suspect you would feel a difference in the steering and maybe even hear some squealing.

Good Luck,

Len