Parts for your 2007 Toyota Ractis-Rack boots

2007 Toyota Ractis rack boots — what they do and when to replace them

Referencing Toyota’s own technical literature, rack boots are absolutely fitted to the 2007 Toyota Ractis. The Toyota Ractis Repair Manual for NCP100/NCP105 (Steering – Steering Gear) details inspection and replacement of the steering rack boot, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (category 45: Steering Gear & Link) lists left and right bellows boots for this model. That confirms rack boots are relevant to the 2007 Ractis.

On a Ractis, the rack boots (also called steering rack bellows) sit over the inner tie rods at each end of the rack‑and‑pinion. Their job is to keep water, grit and road grime off the polished rack bar and inner tie rod joints, while holding the correct grease where it belongs. They also protect the steering gear’s internal seals. With the Ractis using a rack‑and‑pinion and a column‑assist electric power steering setup, healthy boots help the whole steering system stay smooth and tight.

As part of regular servicing, the rack boots should be visually checked every service interval (roughly 10,000–15,000 km in Aussie and NZ schedules). Any splits, oil or grease flung onto the chassis, or loose clamps mean it’s time for replacement. Because both sides age the same, most workshops replace boots in pairs.

• Signs it’s time to replace: visible cracks or tears, grease spray near the subframe, dirt inside the boot, a light knock over bumps, or WOF/rego comments about steering dust boots.
• Service tips: use quality boots matched to the Ractis by VIN, fit proper ear/stepless clamps (not cable ties), seat the small end on the inner tie rod groove and the large end on the housing groove, don’t twist the bellows, if the boot design vents, don’t block the vent path.

Boot replacement is straightforward for a pro: set the steering straight, mark tie rod threads, remove the outer tie rod end, slide off the old boot, clean the rack area, grease as specified in the manual, then fit and clamp the new boot. Because outer tie rod removal can shift toe, a wheel alignment is recommended straight after.

Quality aftermarket or genuine Toyota boots both do the job, provided they’re the correct profile and length for the Ractis steering gear. Skipping a torn boot can lead to corrosion on the rack bar, inner tie rod wear, and fluid seepage on hydraulic systems—none of which anyone wants flagged at WOF or during a rego safety check.

• Popular questions about 2007 Toyota Ractis rack boots

How often should rack boots be checked on a 2007 Toyota Ractis?

They’re best checked at every routine service (about every 10,000–15,000 km) or at least annually. If the car sees lots of gravel roads or flooding, shorten the interval and inspect after any big pothole hits.

Any sign of cracking, oil or grease sling, or a loose clamp is a cue to replace them before dirt reaches the rack.

Will split rack boots fail a WOF or rego inspection?

Yes, split or unsecured steering rack boots can trigger a fail in both NZ WOF and Australian state roadworthy checks. They’re considered safety‑related because they protect critical steering joints.

Fix is simple: replace the damaged boot(s), fit proper clamps, and get a quick alignment if the tie rod was disturbed.

Are rack boots different between 2WD and 4WD Ractis models?

They can be. The NCP100 (2WD) and NCP105 (4WD) may use different steering gear variants, so boots can differ in length or profile. Always match by VIN using the Toyota EPC or a trusted parts catalogue.

If in doubt, a side‑by‑side measurement of the old boot helps ensure the new bellows sit and seal correctly.