Parts for your 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero-Rack boots

1999 Mitsubishi Pajero rack boots — are they even a thing?

Short answer: no, a 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero doesn’t use rack boots. On the late‑Gen 2 Pajero (V20/NL series sold in Australia and New Zealand through 1999), Mitsubishi specifies a recirculating‑ball power steering gearbox with a pitman arm, idler arm, centre link (relay rod) and tie‑rod assemblies. That layout doesn’t have a steering rack, so there are no rack‑and‑pinion bellows (rack boots) to service. This is consistent with Mitsubishi’s factory workshop literature for the V20/NL and the OEM parts catalogues for those models, which list steering box components and linkages rather than a rack assembly or bellows.

What can cause confusion is the model changeover: the next‑gen Pajero (NM, released locally around 2000) moved to a different chassis/steering setup and uses rack‑and‑pinion with actual rack boots. If a parts site shows rack boots for “1999 Pajero”, it’s often because they’re bundling late build/compliance dates or showing universal boots. For an AU/NZ‑market 1999 NL Pajero, rack boots aren’t applicable.

Instead of rack boots, owners and techs should focus on the steering components that do have protective dust boots and wear points on the NL:

• Tie‑rod end dust boots and joints
• Idler arm bush/assembly play
• Pitman arm and centre link joints
• Power steering box seals and hoses for leaks
• Front CV boots (independent front suspension) — separate from steering but commonly mistaken for “rack boots”

Good practice during servicing is to check all steering linkages for free play, torn dust boots, grease loss and any fluid weeping from the steering box. Replace any split dust boots promptly to keep grit out of the joints, and book a wheel alignment after steering work. If the vehicle sits on a compliance cusp, confirm the steering type by VIN/build plate or a parts diagram to avoid ordering the wrong bits.

FAQs

Does a 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero use rack boots?
No. The 1999 AU/NZ Pajero (NL/V20 series) runs a recirculating‑ball steering box with linkage arms, not a rack‑and‑pinion. There’s no steering rack, so there are no rack boots to replace. Any listing suggesting otherwise is likely referencing the next‑gen NM (circa 2000‑on) or showing universal boots.

What steering “boots” should be checked on a 1999 Pajero?
Check the dust boots on the tie‑rod ends and the condition of the idler arm assembly. Also inspect the pitman/centre link joints and the power steering box for leaks. Up front, keep an eye on the CV boots — they’re drivetrain, not steering, but often confused with rack boots.

Why do some catalogues show rack boots for a 1999 Pajero?
Model year overlap and global cataloguing can blur lines between the NL (recirculating‑ball) and the NM (rack‑and‑pinion). Always verify by VIN and steering layout before ordering. If it’s an NL with a steering box, rack boots won’t fit because there’s no rack to cover.