Power Steering Rack Boot - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

amdspitfire · 05-14-2009, 07:49 PM

I have a 1991 Camry and the steering rack boot has completely ripped. Is this what's causing my clunk sound when I'm driving over big bumps?

Should I just buy a new boot and replace?

JMSports · 05-14-2009, 08:39 PM

Yes, it should clunk when you turn corners as well.

Looks like this:

white90dx · 05-15-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdspitfire

I have a 1991 Camry and the steering rack boot has completely ripped. Is this what's causing my clunk sound when I'm driving over big bumps?

Should I just buy a new boot and replace?

The clunk could be the strut tops, ball joints or control arm bushings. It is unlikely that it is the swaybar.

You can easily replace the steering rack boots (ask for a "steering gear bellow" at the auto parts store), but you will need a front-end alignment afterwards.

-Charlie

JMSports · 05-15-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white90dx

The clunk could be the strut tops, ball joints or control arm bushings. It is unlikely that it is the swaybar.

You can easily replace the steering rack boots (ask for a "steering gear bellow" at the auto parts store), but you will need a front-end alignment afterwards.

-Charlie

I think i need an alignment anyway. Ever since i noticed the broken boot, the car has been heading to the right when i dont touch the wheel, and normally it used to head a bit to the left.

white90dx · 05-15-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMSports

I think i need an alignment anyway. Ever since i noticed the broken boot, the car has been heading to the right when i dont touch the wheel, and normally it used to head a bit to the left.

The original poster is talking about is steering rack boot, not CV joint boot... different issues...

Either one should be fixed though.

-Charlie

JMSports · 05-15-2009, 03:03 PM

Oh, wow im slow didnt even realize i hijacked his thread. thought he had the same problem as me, so i could share in his agony

Definitley both need to be fixed though.

TBayToyotaBoy · 05-16-2009, 11:18 PM

If the boot on the steering rack has been deteriorating for some time, it may have caused problems with the inner tie-rod. Make sure to check this before you slap a boot on and call it good. If it's allowed to go too far, it can cause catastrophic problems just as a blown outer tie-rod end can...

amdspitfire · 06-04-2009, 11:31 AM

I replaced the boot, and emptied 1 bag of wheel bearing lube inside of it. The outter tie rod when i wiggle it by hand leaks a little on the inside of the boot. The inner tie rod I didn't even know about so I didn't really examine.

The clunking sound was a little better for a day or so, now it's back to normal. Bushings look ok, what else can I check? Should i remove the whole strut?

white90dx · 06-04-2009, 01:00 PM

Steering rack boots should remain dry. If there is leaking fluid from the rack, you need to fix that. The grease that you added in there should be removed and a new boot put on there. Make sure you get an alignment done after you replace the boots - a cheap 'toe and go' should be fine.

-Charlie

amdspitfire · 06-05-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white90dx

Steering rack boots should remain dry. If there is leaking fluid from the rack, you need to fix that. The grease that you added in there should be removed and a new boot put on there. Make sure you get an alignment done after you replace the boots - a cheap 'toe and go' should be fine.

-Charlie

stupid a&& kragen! I think the boot is leaking from that joint, is this the source of sound that I am getting?