Steering Rack Boot Replacement

Under the car to replace the alternator and I saw both my steering rack boots are completely torn . Hope no damage has been done to the rack.

Anyways, the boot on there now appears to be non-OEM (not that). Since they are so expensive, I would not be opposed to putting something similar to the one I have on there now on again. Anyone know where I could get a cheap non-oem boot that would work?

Also, has ANYONE successfully separated the inner and outer tie rods or do I basically have to plan on replacing these as well? I replaced them about 50k miles ago so they aren't really due...

that's what my current one looks like. Really shouldn't have cheaped out and reused it when I replaced my tie rods.

Answered my own question. Looks like it is an updated design that allows the boot to be slipped on without separating the inner and outer tie rod. Awesome! http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ring+rack+boot

Posted this in the other thread, but:

Bumping an old thread, sorry. Anyone know if this boot will fit over the steering rack nut side of the inner tie rod instead of going over the outer tie rod? I know last time I removed my tie rods I couldn't get the outer side out without destroying them. The steering rack side was far easier.

Yeah, the new ones that I had purchased seem like they will fit over the 34mm nut on the steering rack side. They have a little rubber circle that fills the in gap created by the large diameter boot as shown in your picture.

Originally Posted by WDE46

Yeah, the new ones that I had purchased seem like they will fit over the 34mm nut on the steering rack side. They have a little rubber circle that fills the in gap created by the large diameter boot as shown in your picture.

Ok, thanks. I will probably try that first then and report back. If anyone else has actually tested this and can report in before I receive the part that would be great.

4:08 shows exactly how to do this

Originally Posted by thefrog1394

Ok, thanks. I will probably try that first then and report back. If anyone else has actually tested this and can report in before I receive the part that would be great.

I can when I get home. I have new tierods and boots in my living room right now.

Originally Posted by WDE46

I can when I get home. I have new tierods and boots in my living room right now.

Just watched Zell's video, confirms it does! So don't worry about it. Thanks for the offer though!

I just got the part and the o-ring thing has no slit in it, so I would have to take the tie rod apart to get that on anyways. Anyone have any luck cutting a slit in it or do you think that would just leak? Really really dont want to have to separate the tie rods, I have a good feeling it will end in me buying new ones. And also not in the mood to get an alignment.

You can probably safely cut a slit into it if you want to

Yea I'm probably going to try it and maybe put some heavy duty glue or gasket maker or something to seal it up if I have some lying around.

Originally Posted by thefrog1394

Yea I'm probably going to try it and maybe put some heavy duty glue or gasket maker or something to seal it up if I have some lying around.

If you cut it like this it will self seal. It will probably be hard to do this though.

Originally Posted by WDE46

If you cut it like this it will self seal. It will probably be hard to do this though.

Did yours come cut like that?

do an ebay search for Z3 steering boots (they use the same boots), there is someone on there selling them quite cheap, need to get some soon myself

Originally Posted by thefrog1394

Did yours come cut like that?

Yes. That is a photo of mine straight out of the bag.