Parts for your 2013 Toyota Land cruiser-Rack boots

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser rack boots — what they do and when to replace them

Per Toyota’s technical literature — the Land Cruiser 200 Series Repair Manual (Steering: Rack and Pinion Power Steering) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for J200 (2013 MY) — the 2013 Land Cruiser wagon runs a hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear with flexible rack boots (also called steering rack gaiters) on both ends. Those sources list the boots, clamps and inner tie rod interfaces as serviceable items. By contrast, the 2013 Land Cruiser 70 Series (VDJ76/78/79) uses a recirculating-ball steering box and does not have rack boots, it relies on a pitman arm, drag link and tie rod ends with their own dust boots instead.

Focusing on the 2013 Land Cruiser 200 Series: the rack boots are the unsung heroes of the steering. They seal the ends of the rack, keeping grease where it should be and keeping water, red dust and grit out. On a big wagon that tows, tours and tackles corrugations, those boots protect the inner tie rods and the rack’s seals from premature wear, helping the steering stay tight and consistent.

Tell-tales that a boot’s crook include visible splits or perishing, grease flung onto the crossmember, dampness from power steering fluid near a clamp, or a gritty feel when the steering’s turned lock-to-lock. WOF/roadworthy inspectors in NZ and Australia will often call out torn rack boots, because once dirt gets in, inner tie rods and the rack itself can cop damage quickly.

Good practice is to have the boots inspected every service (about 10,000–15,000 km), and especially after beach work, water crossings, or long stints on bulldust. If a boot is split, replace it promptly — ideally in pairs. Proper crimp or ear clamps seal far better than cable ties, and a light smear of the correct grease inside the bellows helps movement. Make sure any breather or equalisation tube between the boots is reconnected so pressure can balance as the rack moves.

• Check inner tie rods and outer tie rod ends while the boots are off, any play means it’s time to renew those too.
• A wheel alignment is recommended after disturbing the tie rods, even if the threads were marked.
• Avoid twisting the boot during install, with the rack centred, seat the small end fully on the inner joint and the large end on the rack housing before clamping.

Looked after, quality rack boots last years, but the Land Cruiser’s working life can be tough. Keeping them intact is cheap insurance against an expensive steering rack down the track.

If the vehicle in question is a 2013 Land Cruiser 70 Series, rack boots aren’t used because that platform employs a steering box, not a rack-and-pinion. Attention there shifts to the drag link and tie rod end dust boots, which deserve the same regular inspection to keep road grime and mud out.

Popular questions about 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser rack boots

Do all 2013 Land Cruisers have rack boots?

The 2013 Land Cruiser 200 Series wagon does — it uses rack-and-pinion steering with a boot on each end of the rack. The 70 Series models don’t, because they run a recirculating-ball steering box with separate linkages.

How often should the rack boots be checked on a 200 Series?

Have them eyeballed at every regular service or about every 10,000–15,000 kilometres. If the vehicle sees beach work, deep water, or heavy dust, add an extra check afterwards.

Can a home mechanic replace Land Cruiser rack boots?

Yes, if they’re comfortable working with tie rods and clamps. Mark the tie rod threads carefully, refit any breather tube, use proper clamps, and book a wheel alignment afterwards. If in doubt, a workshop can do it quickly.