Parts for your 2000 Toyota Corolla fielder-Rack boots

2000 Toyota Corolla Fielder rack boots — what they do and how to look after them

Based on Toyota’s own technical sources — the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) and the Toyota Repair Manual for the E120-series Corolla Fielder (NZE121G/ZZE122G, from Aug 2000) — this model uses a rack-and-pinion steering gear fitted with bellows-type rack boots (also called steering rack gaiters) on both ends. Toyota lists the part as “Boot, Steering Rack,” with common catalogue numbers such as 45535-12050 or 45535-12060 depending on VIN and market. So yes, rack boots are absolutely used on the 2000 Toyota Corolla Fielder.

On this Corolla wagon, the rack boots have a simple but crucial job: they seal the ends of the steering rack and protect the inner tie rods from dust, road grit and water, while keeping grease where it belongs. If a boot splits or perishes, contaminant gets in, grease gets out, and wear accelerates on the rack bar and inner joints. On hydraulic racks, fluid weeping into a boot can also hint at a failing internal seal — a torn boot won’t hold pressure, but it will trap leaking fluid, which is a red flag.

As part of routine servicing in Australia and New Zealand, it’s smart to inspect the rack boots at each service interval. A quick visual under the front can spot cracks, splits, loose clamps, or oiliness. Squeeze the bellows gently — if they’re stiff, sticky, or visibly perished, plan a replacement. Many WOF (NZ) and RWC (AU) inspections will call out split steering gaiters, so staying ahead of it avoids a fail and protects the rack.

• Replace when: cracked, split, swollen with oil, or clamps are missing/loose.
• Check both sides: if one’s gone, the other often isn’t far behind.
• After any inner tie rod work: fit new boots and clamps.

Swapping rack boots is straightforward for a competent home mechanic with stands, spanners and a tie-rod end puller. Mark the tie-rod end position or count turns on removal, but still book a wheel alignment afterwards — toe can shift even if you’re careful. Lightly grease inside the new boot per the manual, seat it properly on the rack housing and inner rod, and secure with the correct bands (don’t reuse rusty ones). If you find power steering fluid pooled in a boot, that points to internal rack leakage, a boot alone won’t fix that, so get the rack assessed.

Look after the boots and they’ll quietly look after the steering — better feel at the wheel, longer inner tie rod life, and fewer surprises at warrant time.

Popular questions about 2000 Toyota Corolla Fielder rack boots

How often should rack boots be replaced on a 2000 Corolla Fielder?
There’s no fixed kilometre interval — they’re replaced on condition. Inspect them at every service. In our climate, rubber can harden and crack with age, so it’s common to see boots due anywhere from 8–15 years depending on use and exposure.

If you notice cracks, splits, oiliness, or loose bands, replace promptly to protect the rack and inner tie rods and to avoid WOF/RWC issues.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing a rack boot?
Yes — at minimum, have the alignment checked. Replacing a boot usually means removing the outer tie-rod end, which can nudge toe out of spec even if you count the turns going back on. An alignment keeps tyre wear even and steering feel spot-on.

Is it safe to drive with a split rack boot?
It’s not ideal. A torn boot lets grit and water into the rack area, which can quickly chew out the inner joint and rack bar. It can also trigger a warrant/roadworthy fail. Short trips to a workshop are fine, but get it sorted soon to avoid bigger repair bills.