Parts for your 2001 Toyota Crown-Rack boots

2001 Toyota Crown rack-boots: purpose, care, and when to replace

Yes, the 2001 Toyota Crown (S170 series — including JZS171/JZS173/GS171/UZS171 variants) is fitted with steering rack boots. This isn’t guesswork — the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for the S170 Steering Gear & Link section lists a “Boot, Steering Rack” on each side of the rack (Toyota boot part numbers typically carry the 45535-**** prefix). The factory repair manual for the S170 Crown also specifies routine inspection of the steering rack boots and replacement if cracked, perished, or contaminated with power steering fluid. So rack boots are absolutely relevant for servicing a 2001 Toyota Crown.

Rack boots are the flexible rubber bellows that sit over the inner tie rods at each end of the rack-and-pinion. Their job is simple but critical: keep out grit, water, and road muck, keep the inner joint grease clean, and shield the rack’s seals and inner tie rods from premature wear. On a hydraulic rack, the boots don’t hold power steering fluid, if fluid is found inside a boot, that’s a sign the rack’s internal seals are leaking and the rack needs attention.

• Protects the inner tie rod joints from dust and water
• Helps maintain crisp steering feel and on-centre stability
• Prevents accelerated wear of the rack and inner joints
• Essential for WOF/roadworthy compliance — torn boots can be a fail item

Best practice on an S170 Crown is to inspect the rack boots at every service or at least every 10,000–15,000 km. Look for fine cracking, splits where the bellows flex, loose or missing clamps, and any oil weeping. Heat, age, coastal air, and rough roads speed up rubber degradation, so Crowns used daily or parked outside deserve extra vigilance.

When replacement’s due, use quality OEM-spec boots and proper clamps rather than generic cable ties. The job involves separating the outer tie rod end from the knuckle, sliding off the old boot, regreasing the inner joint with the correct steering gear grease, fitting the new boot, and securing both clamps. Count the tie rod threads or measure toe before disassembly, then finish with a proper wheel alignment to keep tyre wear and steering feel spot on. Labour is usually around 1–2 hours plus an alignment, and the parts are inexpensive — a small outlay to protect a much costlier steering rack.

Popular questions about 2001 Toyota Crown rack-boots

Do all 2001 Toyota Crowns have rack boots?
Yes. The S170-series Crown uses rack-and-pinion steering with a rubber “Boot, Steering Rack” on each side. This is confirmed in the Toyota EPC for the S170 Steering Gear & Link section and the factory repair manual’s steering inspection procedures.

How often should rack boots be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval — replace them when they’re cracked, split, loose, or contaminated with oil. Inspect at each service. Many original boots last years, but once they start perishing, change them promptly to protect the rack and inner tie rods.

Can I drive with a torn rack boot?
It’ll drive, but it’s not a good idea. A torn boot lets in grit and water, which can chew out the inner joint and rack seals, and it can trigger a WOF/roadworthy fail. Sort it quickly and book an alignment after the repair.