Parts for your 2006 Toyota Crown-Rack boots

2006 Toyota Crown rack-boots: what they do and how to look after them

Based on Toyota’s technical documentation, rack-boots are absolutely used on the 2006 Toyota Crown (S180 series). The Toyota Repair Manual for the S180 Crown (Steering – Steering Gear and Link) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog list left and right steering rack bellows/boots fitted to the rack-and-pinion power steering assembly. These flexible gaiters protect the inner tie rods and the rack bar from dust, road splash, and grit, and are standard equipment on this model.

On a 2006 Toyota Crown, the rack-boots (also called steering rack gaiters or bellows) are simple but vital. They keep contaminants out, hold the correct amount of grease around the inner tie-rod joints, and let the rack breathe as it moves from lock to lock. If a boot splits, water and grit can chew out the inner tie rod and the rack seals in short order, leading to play in the steering, noise over bumps, and even power steering fluid weeping into the boot. Left alone, that can turn into a pricey rack overhaul.

As part of regular servicing, the boots should be checked for cracks, perishing, loose or missing clamps, and any fluid pooling inside. In Australia and New Zealand, a torn rack boot is a common roadworthy/WOF fail item, so it pays to catch it early. Inspection at each service or at least every 10,000–15,000 km is a sensible routine for a Crown that sees daily duty.

Replacement is straightforward for a trained tech. It’s wise to replace boots in pairs and use quality, model-correct clamps rather than generic cable ties, which can cut into the rubber or work loose. The boot must sit without twist, clear the full steering travel, and be clamped at the rack and tie-rod ends exactly where Toyota specifies. Don’t pierce the boot and don’t pack it with random grease—only the inner tie-rod joint needs the correct lubricant per the Toyota manual. If fluid is found inside the boot, that points to an internal rack seal leak, fitting a new boot alone won’t fix the underlying issue.

Any time the inner or outer tie rods are disturbed, a wheel alignment should follow. After new boots go on, a quick re-check of steering free play and a road test help ensure the Crown tracks straight and stays quiet.

• Watch for: cracked rubber, greasy fling marks, dampness inside the boot, or new steering play.
• Good practice: replace both sides, use proper band clamps, align the vehicle afterwards.

Popular questions about 2006 Toyota Crown rack-boots

How often should rack-boots be replaced on a 2006 Crown?
There’s no fixed interval—replace them when they show damage or age. Inspect at every service. In hot, dry climates or on vehicles with lots of stop–start and full-lock manoeuvres, the rubber can age faster, so closer attention helps.

Can rack-boots be changed without a wheel alignment?
If the inner or outer tie rod is removed or its locknut is disturbed, a wheel alignment is recommended. If a skilled tech slips the boot off and on without moving the adjustment, alignment might remain close—but checking alignment after is still the smart move.

Will a split rack-boot fail a WOF or roadworthy?
Yes. In both NZ WOF and Australian roadworthy checks, a torn or unsecured steering rack boot is typically a fail item because it exposes steering components to rapid wear and potential failure.