Parts for your 2006 Toyota Land cruiser-Rack boots

2006 Toyota Land Cruiser rack boots – do they apply, and how to look after them

Per Toyota’s factory workshop information and the Electronic Parts Catalogue for the 100/105 Series, a 2006 Land Cruiser may have one of two steering designs. The 100 Series with independent front suspension (often coded UZJ100 or HDJ100) uses a hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear, which has rubber bellows known as rack boots. The 105 Series with live front axle (HZJ105/FZJ105) runs a recirculating-ball steering box with a pitman and idler arm—no steering rack, so no rack boots. If the vehicle is a 100 Series IFS model, rack boots are relevant and fitted, if it’s a 105 Series, they’re not used.

For 105 Series owners wondering why there are no rack boots: that steering system doesn’t use a rack-and-pinion assembly. Instead, it uses a steering box and linkages (drag link, tie rods) with separate dust boots on ball joints and rod ends. Those boots still matter, but they’re not “rack boots”.

For 2006 Land Cruiser 100 Series IFS owners, rack boots do an unglamorous but vital job. They seal the ends of the steering rack, keeping dust, water, and mud out while holding grease around the inner tie-rod joints. Off-road work, corrugations, and water crossings common in Aus and NZ can harden, crack, or tear the bellows over time. Once split, grit gets in, inner tie rods wear fast, and if you ever find power-steering fluid inside a boot, that’s a red flag for an internal rack seal leak.

• What they’re for: keep contaminants out of the rack and protect the inner tie-rod joints, allow the rack to breathe without ingesting dust.
• What to watch for: perished rubber, splits, loose or missing clamps, grime packed inside the bellows, or fluid presence.
• Service tips: inspect at every service, and especially after beach work or deep water. Replace at the first sign of cracking—boots are cheap compared to a rack. Use quality clamps, seat the boot properly in the rack and tie-rod grooves, and don’t twist the bellows as you fit it. If the inner tie rod is removed to fit the boot, book a wheel alignment afterwards.
• Off-road advice: after mud or saltwater, rinse the underbody, then check the boots once dry. Consider heavy-duty or OE-spec boots for longer life in harsh conditions.

Replacement is a straightforward job for a workshop and a tidy DIY for experienced home mechanics with the right tools. Catching a split boot early can save the rack, the inner tie rods, and a chunk of cash—and keep the Cruiser’s steering tight and precise.

Popular questions

How can someone tell if their 2006 Land Cruiser actually has rack boots?
Quick visual: an IFS 100 Series has CV axles and a steering rack mounted behind the front crossmember, with a concertina-style rubber boot on each end. A 105 Series shows a steering box on the driver’s side, a pitman arm, and a drag link—no rack boots. The frame code on the build plate also helps: UZJ100/HDJ100 (rack-and-pinion), HZJ105/FZJ105 (steering box).

Will split rack boots fail a WOF/RWC in NZ or Australia?
Often, yes. A torn boot that exposes the inner tie rod or allows contamination is commonly a reason to fail roadworthy checks. Even if it scrapes through, it’s smart to replace straight away—leaving it risks inner tie-rod wear and potentially a costly rack overhaul.

Do rack boots need special grease or maintenance?
The boots themselves don’t need greasing, they’re there to protect the greased inner joint. If a boot’s off, a light application of the correct grease to the inner tie-rod joint is fine, but if power-steering fluid is found inside the boot, the rack’s internal seals likely need attention.