Steering rack leak question

I need to try to get this fixed today or I probably won't be able to run in the autocross tomorrow. The leak is coming from the boot that cover the tie rod and connects to the rack itself. Can I take a boot off at the end that is clamped to the rack without breaking a seal? I'm guessing there's a shaft that is coming out of the rack connecting to the tie rod and a seal were that shaft comes out of the rack is what's leaking. If so can this seal be replaced without disassembling the rack?

Thanks,

Kurt

Ok, I took the boot off and see that it is a seal. I cleaned up the sealing surface on it and the rack, then tightened it down as tight as it would go. If it still leaks would this be the rubber boot getting old and hard causing it not to seal?