Parts for your 1998 Subaru Forester-Rack boots

1998 Subaru Forester rack-boots: what they do and how to look after them

Rack-boots are absolutely fitted to the 1998 Subaru Forester (SF series). The Subaru Factory Service Manual for the SF Forester (1998MY, Steering section) specifies inspection and replacement of the steering gear bellows/boots, and the Subaru Electronic Parts Catalogue for SF Forester lists a left and right steering rack boot with associated clamps. Those technical sources make it clear the part is relevant and used on this model.

On this Forester, the rack-boots (also called steering rack bellows) sit at each end of the power steering rack, wrapping around the inner tie rods. Their job is to keep dust, water, and grit out of the rack and inner tie-rod joints, and to let the rack bar move freely without dragging in road grime. They also help prevent contamination that can chew out the rack seals and the inner tie-rod ball sockets.

When a boot splits, water and silt make their way into the rack—a quick path to notchy steering, premature inner tie-rod wear, and even power steering fluid leaks. If there’s fluid pooling inside a boot, that’s a red flag for an internal rack seal leak, which calls for rack overhaul or replacement rather than just a new boot.

As part of regular servicing in Australia and New Zealand, it’s smart to inspect the rack-boots every service or at least every 10,000–15,000 km, and after beach driving or gravel-road trips. Look for perished rubber, cracks at the folds, loose or rusty clamps, weeping fluid, or a boot that’s come adrift from its groove.

• Replace boots promptly if split, quality OEM-equivalent rubber lasts longest.
• Fit new clamps and ensure the boot seats in the rack and tie-rod grooves without twists.
• Don’t pack the boot with grease—this isn’t a CV joint. Only apply any lubricant where the service manual specifies.
• If the inner tie rod is disturbed, get a wheel alignment. Even if not, an alignment check is cheap insurance for even tyre wear.
• Keep solvents and brake cleaner off new boots, they can dry and crack the rubber.

Done right, fresh rack-boots keep the steering gear clean and tight, help the Forester steer smoothly on road and off, and can save a pricey rack down the track.

FAQs

Does a 1998 Subaru Forester have rack-boots?
Yes. The Subaru SF Forester uses a rack-and-pinion steering gear with bellows-style rack-boots on both sides. The Subaru Factory Service Manual and Subaru parts catalogue for the SF series both list and describe these boots and their clamps.

What are the signs the rack-boots need replacing?
Cracks at the boot folds, splits, loose or missing clamps, or visible grime inside the boot area are common clues. Oily residue or fluid inside a boot suggests a power steering rack seal leak—at that point, a rack repair or replacement is usually on the cards, not just a new boot.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing rack-boots?
If the inner or outer tie rod is undone to fit the boot, an alignment is recommended. Even when lengths are carefully counted and matched, a quick alignment check helps protect tyres and ensures the Forester tracks straight.