Parts for your 1999 Toyota Crown-Rack boots

1999 Toyota Crown rack boots: what they do and how to look after them

Based on technical sources including the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for the S170 series (1999) and the Toyota Crown (S170) Chassis/Steering repair manual, the 1999 Toyota Crown uses a rack-and-pinion steering gear fitted with rack boots (also called bellows or gaiters) on both sides. Aftermarket OEM catalogues for JZS171/UZS17x variants also list steering rack boot kits for this model, confirming the part is relevant to the vehicle.

On a 1999 Crown, the rack boots are the flexible rubber bellows that seal the ends of the steering rack where the inner tie rods move. Their job is simple but crucial: keep dust, water, and road grit out of the rack-and-pinion, retain the lubricant film on the inner joint, and allow the rack to breathe as it travels lock-to-lock. When a boot splits, contaminants get in and can chew out the inner joint and rack bushings, if the power steering rack’s inner seal is leaking, the boot may even fill with fluid, tipping owners off to a bigger issue. Left unchecked, that can lead to notchy steering, extra play, and a failed WOF/RWC.

Good practice for Aussie and Kiwi owners is to eyeball the rack boots at each service or every 10,000 km—under the bonnet and from underneath. Look for perishing, cracks, oil swelling, loose or missing clamps, and any dampness that hints at a rack seal leak. There’s no fixed replacement interval, condition rules the day. Heat, age, and coastal driving tend to harden the rubber faster.

Replacement is straightforward for a trained tech: remove the outer tie rod end, slide off the old boot, clean the area, and fit a quality boot with proper clamps (not cable ties). Measuring the tie rod thread position helps preserve toe, but a wheel alignment afterwards is still the smart move. If fluid is found inside a boot, plan on a rack reseal or replacement rather than just a new gaiter. Choosing OE-spec rubber or high-grade TPE boots keeps flexibility in cold mornings and resilience on hot bitumen, extending the life of the inner joints and the rack itself.

• Signs to watch: cracked or oily boots, steering play, uneven tyre wear, clunks on bumps, or power steering fluid weeping from boot ends.

Popular questions

Does the 1999 Toyota Crown use rack boots, or a steering box?
The S170-series Crown uses a rack-and-pinion steering gear with protective rack boots on both sides. This is documented in Toyota’s EPC and the S170 steering repair manual, and supported by parts listings from OEM suppliers.

How often should rack boots be replaced on a 1999 Crown?
There’s no set kilometre interval. They’re replaced on condition—when cracked, perished, swollen with oil, or the clamps have failed. A quick inspection at each service is enough for most cars, many original boots last years, but climate and driving conditions make a big difference.

Can a split rack boot be taped up or secured with a cable tie?
No. A split gaiter won’t seal out grit or moisture, and cable ties don’t clamp evenly. Fit a new boot with proper clamps and book an alignment. If oil is found inside the old boot, have the rack checked for internal seal leaks.