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Most rubber items on vehicles are a synthetic composition, made from petrochemicals. When this type of 'rubber' comes in contact with oil the oil acts as a solvent and the 'rubber' begins to swell and deteriorate. (I'm no chemist, but I think I got the gist of it across...)
That being said, if you have any kind of oil leaking onto the bushings they will eventually disintegrate. This is the #1 cause of rack bushing failure, very few fail from other means. While nothing is impossible, it is highly unlikely that an accident had any effect on your bushings. Sorry...
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ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician w/L1.
ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician.
Certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician)
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