Parts for your 2016 Toyota Crown-Rack boots

2016 Toyota Crown rack-boots — are they fitted and why they matter

Yes, rack-boots are absolutely used on the 2016 Toyota Crown. Technical sources including the Toyota Crown S210 Repair Manual (Steering section) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog for the S210 series (GRS210/AWS210/ARS210, 2012–2018) specify a rack-and-pinion steering gear with a flexible “steering gear boot” (rack-boot/bellows) at each end of the rack housing. Industry service references describe the same arrangement across late-model Toyota electric power steering racks, which the 2016 Crown predominantly uses.

On this Crown, the rack-boots are the concertina rubber bellows that protect the inner tie-rod joints and rack bar. Their job is simple but critical: keep water, dust and road grit out, hold grease in, and allow the rack to move freely without contamination. When a boot splits, grit gets in and grease gets out. Left alone, the inner tie-rod ball joint can wear fast, the rack bar can corrode, and steering feel goes from tidy to vague. It can also raise red flags at a WOF or roadworthy.

As part of servicing of your 2016 Toyota Crown rack-boots, they should be inspected at every service or at least every 10,000–15,000 km. Look for cracks, tears, loose clamps, or wet, flung grease around the inner guard. Because many S210 racks vent both sides together, both boots should breathe correctly—don’t block any small equalisation passages or tubes.

• Common signs a rack-boot needs attention:
  • Grease sling on the back of the front wheels or inner guards
  • Visible tears, perishing or splits in the bellows
  • Notchy steering or new play at the wheel
  • Moisture or rust colouring inside the boot area

Replacement is straightforward for a trained tech: the outer tie-rod end is released, the old boot and clamps are removed, any grit is cleaned away, and the inner joint is re-greased if specified by the manual. The new boot is slid on and secured with new clamps (don’t reuse tired ones). Because the tie-rod end is disturbed, a wheel alignment is recommended. Many workshops replace boots in pairs to keep both sides consistent. Choose quality EPDM rubber boots—genuine or a reputable aftermarket brand—so they last in Aussie and Kiwi conditions.

The bottom line: keeping the rack-boots healthy protects the Crown’s steering gear, preserves crisp road feel, and can save a heap compared with replacing an inner tie-rod or the whole rack later on.

Popular questions about 2016 Toyota Crown rack-boots

How often should the rack-boots be replaced on a 2016 Crown?
They don’t have a fixed replacement interval—condition-based is the go. Have them checked at every service or during WOF/roadworthy inspections. Replace immediately if split, perished or loose, or if there’s grease loss or contamination. In tougher climates, preventative replacement around the 8–10 year mark can be sensible.

Can a split rack-boot damage the steering rack?
Yes. A torn boot lets grit and water attack the inner tie-rod joint and the rack bar. Wear accelerates, corrosion can start, and the steering may develop play or noise. Catching a split early and fitting new boots is far cheaper than inner tie-rod or rack replacement, and helps keep the Crown tracking straight.

Are the rack-boots the same on hybrid and non-hybrid 2016 Crowns?
Both use rack-and-pinion steering with boots, but part numbers can differ between model codes and steering rack types. It’s best to match by VIN or S210 model code (e.g., GRS210/AWS210) in the Toyota EPC or with a trusted parts supplier to ensure the correct left/right boots and clamps.