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 technical literature for the S180-series Crown (2003–2008) — including Toyota Global Service Information (TIS) steering gear procedures and Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) listings for GRS18x models — the 2006 Toyota Crown uses a rack-and-pinion steering gear with bellows-type rack boots. The EPC identifies left and right “Boot, Steering Rack” items and clamp kits for this model range, so rack boots are absolutely relevant on a 2006 Toyota Crown.

On this car, the rack boots are flexible bellows that seal each end of the steering rack where the inner tie rods move in and out. Their job is simple but critical: keep dust, water, and road grit out of the rack, and keep the small amount of grease around the inner joints clean. If a boot tears, contaminants get in, grease gets out, and the inner joints and rack seals can wear quickly — turning a cheap boot replacement into a costly steering rack rebuild.

During regular servicing, the boots should be checked for splits, perishing, loose or missing clamps, and any signs of fluid or grease. Many S180 Crowns run hydraulic power steering, a torn boot won’t hold fluid (the rack isn’t meant to be full of oil), but fluid weeping from the inner seal can track into the boot and show up as oily residue. If there’s oil inside a boot, inspect the rack seals.

• Typical signs it’s time for new boots: visible cracks, grease flung onto the crossmember, dirt inside the bellows, or a WOF/roadworthy fail for a torn boot.
• Recommended practice: inspect every service, replace in pairs if the rubber is the same age, always fit new clamps.

Replacement is straightforward with the right tools: mark the tie-rod end position, remove the outer tie rod, slide off the old boot, clean the rack groove, lightly grease the inner joint area, then fit the new boot with correct inner and outer clamps. Avoid cable ties — use proper ear or screw clamps specified in Toyota procedures. After any tie-rod work, a wheel alignment is good practice to keep the steering sweet and tyre wear even.

For hydraulic systems, top up with the fluid specified on the reservoir cap and check for leaks after road testing. Torque values for the tie-rod lock nut and outer end should follow the factory repair manual for the specific GRS variant. Keeping the rack boots intact is cheap insurance against expensive steering repairs, especially with Aussie and Kiwi road grime, rain, and coastal conditions.

• Service tip: if one boot has failed due to age, the other won’t be far behind, swapping both saves repeat labour and a second alignment.

Popular questions about 2006 Toyota Crown rack boots

How long do rack boots typically last on a 2006 Toyota Crown?

In normal Australian and New Zealand conditions, quality boots often last many years, but heat, UV, and road grime can harden the rubber by the 8–12 year mark. High mileage, gravel roads, and coastal air shorten that.

The safest approach is to inspect at every service and plan replacement at the first sign of cracking. Waiting until a tear opens risks inner joint wear and potential steering rack seal damage.

Is it OK to drive with a torn rack boot?

It’ll still steer, but it’s not wise. A torn boot lets grit into the inner tie-rod joint and towards the rack seal, accelerating wear. That can turn a simple boot job into a rack replacement.

In NZ, a torn boot can fail a WOF, in Australia, it can cop a roadworthy defect. If a boot is split, keep driving to a minimum and book a replacement promptly.

Can universal rack boots be used, or should they be OEM on the Crown?

Good-quality aftermarket boots sized correctly will work, but they must match the Crown’s inner and outer diameters and compressed/extended length so they don’t bind or stretch.

OEM or premium aftermarket kits with proper clamps are preferred. Avoid cable ties, use the specified clamp style to keep the boot sealed without cutting the rubber.