Oil/grease covering outside of outer CV boots
 

As the title says, I've noticed that both of my 03 4.4i's front outer CV boots are covered with what looks like oil, and there is a lot of grease accumulated at the bottom of the strut support:

Attachment 52370

Attachment 52371

The boots themselves look fine - neither one is torn, and the left one was replaced about 20,000 miles ago. The car has just under 96,000 miles on it. At first I thought my struts were leaking, but the stuff that's accumulated along the bottoms of the strut mounts looks way too heavy to have come from the strut, although I suppose it could be oil from the strut that's combined with dirt to form what looks like grease. Any ideas? Thanks.

No the boots are not fine, it is torn, spread the boot apart with a gloved hand and you will see it.

Hmmm... OK, will do. I admit I only took a cursory look at the boots' condition on the side that's visible; I didn't really get up in there and see if they are split somewhere I can't readily see. In any event, I like your theory better than leaking struts - a whole lot cheaper to replace (assuming I do it myself, like everything else on my cars).

I replaced my left outer boot in July, then discovered my right outer was torn in October, replaced that to, gotta love it...lol!!