one of my boot just ripped off…
can I get just a new boot?
or do I have to get the total new steering rack
and how hard is it to change one?
ty
ed
You can buy replacement boots from NAPA for like $30 (Each, I think)
Before you drop the rack, set the wheels and steering wheel pointed straight ahead, then take the key out and lock it in poisition.
To drop the steering rack:
take off the lines, remove the bolt on the U-joint from the steering shaft and work the splined shaft off the rack using WD40 and a screwdriver to spread the splined U-joint, once thats off remove the two big bolts securing the rack and the rack should drop out
After dropping the rack out of the car, measure from the splined input shaft to a fixed point on the tie rod ends… make sure you write this down, so when you reassemble the whole thing you can keep the toe pretty close to what it was. Its a good idea to get it aligned after all this though.
then take off the tierod ends to put on the new boots. There should be grease there, but not oil… if there is oil, you should get a used rack (~$100) or rebuild this one (not cheap, something like $400 to rebuild). Make sure you clean out the now-dirty grease and pack it with new grease. I would also replace the non-torn one just so you won’t have to do this again in a year. Now wold also be a good time to inspect the PS lines, as they get a bit soft near the rack.
Good luck