Parts for your 2017 Lexus Is-Rack boots

2017 Lexus IS rack boots — what they do and when to replace them

Yes, the 2017 Lexus IS uses rack boots. Technical sources including the Lexus/Toyota Repair Manual (Front Steering Gear and Linkage section on Toyota TIS), the Lexus New Car Features (NCF) for the IS (GSE3#/AVE30/ASE30 series) and the Toyota/Lexus Electronic Parts Catalogue all show a rack-and-pinion electric power steering (EPS) unit fitted with bellows-style rack boots on both ends. These boots shield the inner tie rod joints and rack bar from dust, water, and grit that can chew through joints and seals.

On this model, the boots don’t hold hydraulic fluid because the steering is electric, but they are critical dust and splash guards. If a boot tears or its clamps loosen, road grime and water can enter, leading to premature inner tie rod wear, corrosion on the rack, and that annoying notchy steering feel. It’s the kind of small, inexpensive part that protects a very expensive component.

For servicing a 2017 Lexus IS, it’s smart to have the rack boots inspected at every service or at least every 10,000–15,000 kilometres, especially if the car sees plenty of motorway runs in wet weather or gravel roads. Look for cracking, perishing, splits at the concertinas, or greasy dirt build-up around the ends. Any play in the inner tie rod with the boot off is a red flag too.

Replacement is straightforward for a trained tech: the outer tie rod end is marked and removed, clamps are cut, the old boot slides off, and a new OE-quality boot and stainless clamps go on. Because the outer tie rod is disturbed, a wheel alignment is recommended straight after. Avoid generic zip ties, proper clamps maintain the seal as the boot flexes.

If a warrant or rego inspection in NZ/AU flags a torn boot, don’t sit on it. Driving for weeks with a split boot can let water sit inside the bellows, corroding the rack bar. That can turn a simple boot job into a rack replacement. Owners who track their IS or run wider tyres should check even more often, as steering loads and heat cycles can age the rubber faster.

• Inspect at each service, replace at first sign of cracking or tearing.
• Use OE-spec boots and clamps, get a wheel alignment afterwards.
• If oil is found inside an EPS rack boot, investigate for stray leaks nearby and inner joint wear.

Popular questions about 2017 Lexus IS rack boots

Do all 2017 Lexus IS variants have rack boots?
All mainstream 2017 Lexus IS variants (IS 200t/300/350, RWD and AWD) use an electric rack-and-pinion steering gear fitted with bellows-type rack boots. The system design differs slightly by drivetrain, but each rack has a boot on either end to shield the inner tie rod and rack bar.

How long do rack boots typically last on a 2017 IS?
There’s no fixed interval, many last well past 100,000 km. Climate, road grit, and steering loads matter. Regular inspections catch early cracking. Once a split appears, replace promptly to protect the rack and avoid bigger bills.

Will replacing rack boots affect alignment?
Yes, the outer tie rod is usually removed to slide the boot off, which can alter toe. Marking threads helps, but a proper wheel alignment after boot replacement is the right move for straight tracking and even tyre wear.