Parts for your 2014 Nissan Navara-Rack boots

2014 Nissan Navara rack-boots: what they are, whether you’ve got them, and how to look after them

Based on factory technical sources, rack-boots are relevant to most 2014 Nissan Navara models, but not all. The Nissan Navara D40 (the common 2014 AU/NZ model) uses a rack-and-pinion steering assembly with bellows-style rack boots on each end (refer Nissan D40 Factory Service Manual, Steering [ST] section describing the rack-and-pinion and protective bellows). By contrast, the concurrently sold D22 uses a recirculating-ball steering box with a centre link and idler arm—no steering rack, hence no rack boots (refer Nissan D22 Factory Service Manual, Power Steering/Steering Gear sections showing the steering box layout). The later D23/NP300 platform (launched in some markets late 2014, AU/NZ from 2015) also uses rack-and-pinion with boots.

Why some 2014 Navaras don’t use rack-boots: on D22 models the steering is via a steering box and linkage, not a rack. That design doesn’t have inner tie rods sliding in a rack, so there’s no need for bellows boots, dust protection happens at ball joints and seals elsewhere in the linkage.

For D40 (and D23/NP300) owners, rack boots do an unglamorous but vital job. They’re the flexible bellows that seal each end of the steering rack, keeping dust, water and grit away from the rack bar and inner tie rod joints. On-road touring, beach runs, and corrugations all fling debris at the front end, intact boots help the steering stay smooth, protect inner joints from premature wear, and reduce the risk of power-steering fluid contamination from torn seals.

Service advice is simple: inspect the boots at every service or roughly every 10,000–15,000 km. Look for splits, perishing, loose clamps, oil weeping inside the boot (a hint the rack end seals may be leaking), or grease flung onto the chassis. If a boot is torn, replace it promptly—driving with a split boot can let abrasive grit in and chew out the rack and inner tie rod.

When replacing, choose quality OEM-equivalent rubber boots and proper stainless clamps (skip cable ties). It’s smart to do them in pairs, and to check inner tie rod play while you’re there. Marking the tie-rod threads helps, but a wheel alignment afterwards is still recommended to keep tyre wear in check. For utes that see mud, water crossings or beach work, give the boots a quick hose-down after trips and recheck clamp tension—heat cycles and off-road flex can loosen them.

If there’s fluid pooling inside a boot, that points to a power-steering rack seal issue. In that case, a rack repair or replacement is the better fix rather than just a new boot.

• D22 (2014 run-out models): no rack boots (steering box system)
• D40 (2014 AU/NZ): rack boots fitted
• D23/NP300 (late 2014 OS, 2015 AU/NZ): rack boots fitted

Popular questions about 2014 Nissan Navara rack-boots

Are 2014 D22 Navaras fitted with rack-boots?
No. The D22 uses a recirculating-ball steering box with a centre link, so there’s no steering rack and no rack boots to replace. Focus inspections on tie-rod ends, idler arm and pitman arm instead.

How can someone tell if a rack boot on a D40 is torn?
They’ll usually spot visible splits or perished rubber, grease flung around the inner guard, or sand/dirt inside the bellows. If they squeeze the boot and feel fluid, that could be power-steering fluid from a leaking rack seal.

Does replacing a rack boot require a wheel alignment?
It’s best practice. Even if the tie rod length is marked and refitted carefully, a fresh alignment helps prevent uneven tyre wear and keeps the steering tracking straight.