Parts for your 2015 Holden Barina-Rack boots

2015 Holden Barina rack-boots: what they do and when to replace them

Rack-boots are fitted to the 2015 Holden Barina (TM series, based on GM’s T300 Sonic). Technical references including the GM/Holden Service Information (SI) steering diagrams, the GM Global Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) listings for “boot, steering gear” on TM Barina MY15, and aftermarket catalogues (e.g., ACDelco and major Australian/NZ parts retailers) all show bellows-style steering rack boots on each side of the rack-and-pinion. That makes rack-boots relevant to servicing and roadworthiness on this model.

On a 2015 Barina, the rack-boots (also called steering rack bellows) are the flexible rubber sleeves at each end of the rack-and-pinion. Their job is to keep dust, water, and road grit off the inner tie rods and the polished rack bar while holding the correct grease inside. Even though the Barina uses electric power steering assistance, it still relies on a conventional rack with inner and outer tie rods, so those boots are critical for longevity and steering feel.

When a boot splits, grit gets in and grease gets out. That accelerates inner tie rod wear, can create free play or a knock, and may corrode the rack bar. Left too long, a cheap boot turns into a pricier rack or inner tie rod replacement and can cause a WOF/roadworthy fail. Aussie heat and UV, plus NZ’s wet winter roads, are hard on rubber, so regular checks make sense.

Servicing advice for Barina rack-boots:

• Inspect at every service (10,000–15,000 km) or at least annually. Look for cracks, splits, loose clamps, or grease seepage.
• If one boot is perished, plan to replace boots in pairs. Fresh clamps and the correct rack grease are a must.
• During replacement, the outer tie rod end comes off, always book a wheel alignment afterwards.
• Avoid twisting or over-stretching the new boot, seat it fully in the rack and tie rod grooves and secure with OE-style clamps.
• If the old boot was torn for a while, have the inner tie rod checked for play and the rack bar inspected for pitting.
• Choose quality rubber or thermoplastic boots rated for local conditions, cheap thin bellows don’t last.

A Barina that tracks straight, steers quietly, and passes inspection often owes part of that to two humble, intact rack-boots doing their job out of sight.

Popular questions about 2015 Holden Barina rack-boots

Do all 2015 Barinas have rack-boots?
Yes. Regardless of trim, the TM Barina uses a rack-and-pinion with a boot on each side to protect the rack bar and inner tie rods. Even with electric power steering, the mechanical rack still needs bellows-style protection.

How often should the rack-boots be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval. They’re replaced on condition—split, cracked, swollen, or loose. Inspect them at each service, in hotter or coastal areas they may age faster and warrant proactive replacement.

Will a split rack-boot fail a WOF or roadworthy?
Typically, yes. A torn boot allowing contamination into steering components is grounds for a WOF/roadworthy fail in NZ and most Australian states. Fixing it promptly prevents bigger steering wear and helps pass inspection.