Torn rack boot...

Hey everyone, i noticed the boot on the rack and pinion (i believe) has torn. I included a picture of both sides. Am i just looking at replacing the boot, or maybe the whole shabang...i am uneducated in steering repairs, any help would be appreciated.

TIA

 

I believe you can order them directly from Toyota. You'll also need the two metal bands which need to be crimped with a special $20-$30 crimping tool (unless you wish to use zip ties like I did). Napa sells them and you can find them on Amazon as well. Be prepared to capture the leaking fluid from the steering rack.

I would probably drain the fluid from the boots (dust covers), zip tie it and see how quickly the fluid fills the boots again. The one on the left that's distorted looks pretty bad.

If it leaks back rather quick, you may want to get a new steering rack for $500-$600 from Toyota or a rebuilt one from Napa for $300-$400.

 

Thanks for the feedback...yea thats kinda what im wondering, spending the time and money replacing a boot, then do a whole rack, or just do the rack and be done...ive been told the rack is on its way out, but its not loosing fluid so ive left it.

 

Replacing the rack is awful and the boot is easy and cheap. The boots are side specific. I bought a napa one and it lasted about 6 months so go OEM.

 

that sounds like the option i am looking for at this moment. thanks for the help.

 

"You'll also need the two metal bands which need to be crimped with a special $20-$30 crimping tool"
What does this tool look like?

 

This is the one I got

$29 Lisle 30600 Offset Boot Clamp Plier

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-30600-Offset-Clamp-Plier/dp/B0080J1200?th=1

 

I just used metal zipties from harbor freight

 

They make metal ones? I used plastic!

 

Who knew?

 

Shit, I did! LOL You can see one of them on the left side of the picture.


link

 

How do you tighten them? Pull them tight like an ordinary zip tie (except that the stainless steel shreds your hands as you do so?)?

 

Pull em tight with pliers, and then twist off the excess

 

So I went out to start looking at how to take it apart and get parts, and I have fluid now under where it’s torn. Would that indicated the rack is leaking?? Or just excess fluid?

 

That boot was twisted and looked like it was ready to give. Yes, the rack is leaking but how quickly? Normally mine will get wet if I turn full lock and after a day or two of sitting it will dry up.

If yours is constantly leaking and ready to spill it might be time for a new rack unless you want to tackle replacing the inner seal and I know that's only available on one side of the rack when I checked into it originally.

I can't remember if it's on the driver or passenger side though.

 

I’ve kept an eye on the reservoir for a while and it’s a slow leak if not just a seep. I’m gonna put a new boot on and see how long it lasts. I asked Toyota what they thought, their answer was replace the rack for $1900 lol. Stealerships.

 

So I went to take my tire off and the wheels have been over tightened so badly I can stand on the wrench, I weight 220, and they won’t budge. The stealer is going to “fix it” in the morning, but should I be worried about damage to my studs? It’s been almost 2000k miles like this. I plan on raising hell and make sure they hand tighten them to spec, as well as never going to this shit hole again.

 

If they are that overtightened then I'd have them replace the studs. Don't want stressed studs to fail and lose a wheel on the highway.

 

Can't emphasize this enough. See this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/wheel-studs-broke-truck-rolled.108200/

Reply # 32 on the 2nd page is what happened to me when I was in your exact position: https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-lunch-table-general-discussion.60450/page-912#post-2617304

Stupid part is, when I replaced my studs, I found at least one, maybe 2 others suffered the same fate in the last 20-30k miles prior to my ownership.

 

Thanks for the responses. Toyota is picking up my truck from work and taking it to look at and I’ve told them the studs need to be replaced. I haven’t been told no yet, so I’m guessing they want to see it first. I’ll be pretty forceful about it being done regardless of what they say, as well as demanding they determine how torqued they are as they remove them. I’ll keep everyone posted.

 

I plan to reference the top thread if I get kick back. I’ll be making sure this is all documented incase anything serious happens.

 

They may find when taking them off, they shear, just like mine did.

 

Usually when they’re that right, they’ll only come off with the impact, but they shouldn’t be so bad it can support your weight. I’ve had to stand on mine to loosen and I’m 205 lbs.

 

so toyota is telling me they are only 7lbs over lol, when i put my torque wrench on them last night they were at 150lbs...and i stood on it and it wouldnt move, any of them. i told them theyre full of shit and to document this for when i get into an accident. im done, theyre idiots and have the same person who tightened them putting them on. i think theyre giving me the least tightened one's setting...ill find out tonight when i go to take them off.

 

After a long talk, as well as me showing them a picture of me standing on my tire iron, they are replacing all studs tomorrow.

 

Lame you had to fight it so much, but glad they finally did the right thing!

 

Honestly the rack is $900-$1,000 and a pain in the a$$ to replace. $1,900 isn’t bad. Problem is, I’m 100% positive you need new upper and lower ball joints, and outer tie rods. Possibly also LCA bushings.

These trucks were made with way under sized suspension components.

 

figured id give an update....after over a month with no issues, and being too busy to get to it, i finally knocked it out. Hardest part was loosing the old tie rod that was stuck, but went smooth other than that. happy i didnt listen to the stealership...ill be replacing my other tie rod soon now that this one is fresh. thanks for all the help. went with the napa boot, cuz it was easy....ill report back how long it lasts.