Parts for your 2017 Nissan Pulsar-Rack boots

2017 Nissan Pulsar rack-boots: what they do and when to replace them

Rack-boots are fitted to the 2017 Nissan Pulsar. Technical references including the Nissan Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for Pulsar/Sylphy B17 and Pulsar C12 (Steering – ST section, “Steering gear and linkage/Boot”) list the steering gear boot as a service item, and Nissan FAST parts catalogues show a “Boot – Steering Gear” for both body styles. Aftermarket catalogues for AU/NZ vehicles also list compatible rack boots for 2013–2018 Pulsar/Sylphy models, confirming their use on this platform.

On a 2017 Pulsar, the rack-boot (also called a steering rack gaiter or bellows) seals each end of the rack-and-pinion housing where the inner tie rods connect. Even with electric power steering on the Pulsar, these boots are crucial: they keep water, grit, and road splash away from the rack bar and inner tie rod joints, and they help retain the grease that lets everything move smoothly. When they split or harden, contamination sneaks in, inner joints wear faster, and the rack can develop play or corrosion that turns into vague steering and premature component failure.

Good workshops in Australia and New Zealand treat rack-boots as a regular inspection item at each service interval. They’ll look for perished rubber, cracks at the concertina folds, loose or missing clamps, and any signs of grease being flung out. On EPS-equipped Pulsars there’s no hydraulic fluid to leak, so a torn boot may be easy to miss unless the steering is turned lock-to-lock during inspection.

If a boot is damaged, replacement is straightforward but precise. Typical best practice includes:

• Marking toe settings or counting tie-rod turns, then checking wheel alignment after refit.
• Using the correct style of clamps (not generic zip ties) and ensuring the boot isn’t twisted or pinched at full lock.
• Inspecting inner and outer tie rods for play while access is open, replace worn joints together to save labour and another alignment.
• Applying suitable grease where specified and following ESM torque specs for tie rod and locknut.

Drivers who regularly see gravel roads, floodwater, or coastal spray should ask for more frequent checks. Quality replacement boots in OE-grade elastomer last longer and resist ozone cracking. Ignoring a split boot can turn a simple, affordable fix into a costly steering rack replacement, so getting onto it early is money well saved.

• How can someone tell if a 2017 Pulsar’s rack-boot is failing? A split boot often shows as visible cracking on the bellows or grease mist on the inner guard and subframe. With electric power steering there’s no fluid leak, so technicians typically spot issues by inspecting at full lock and feeling for play at the inner tie rod.
• Is a wheel alignment needed after replacing rack-boots? In most cases, yes. Even if the outer tie rod end is refitted to the same position, minor differences can change toe. A post-repair alignment keeps tyre wear and steering feel right.
• Are left and right rack-boots the same on the Pulsar? Many kits are sold as matched pairs, but the boot length or venting detail can differ by side depending on supplier. It’s best to use an OE-equivalent kit specified for the 2017 Pulsar to ensure proper fit and clamp locations.