Parts for your 2018 Ford Everest-Rack boots

2018 Ford Everest rack-boots: what they do and how to look after them

Rack-boots are absolutely relevant on the 2018 Ford Everest. The UA-series Everest runs an electric power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering gear, and each end of the rack is protected by a bellows-style boot (often called a rack-boot). This is documented in the Ford Workshop Manual for T6 Ranger/Everest (Section 211-02 Steering System), which includes inspection and replacement of steering gear bellows and clamps. The Ford global parts catalogue also lists a Boot and Clamp Kit for the Everest under base part number 3K661, covering 2015–2019 UA models. So if they’re cracked, split, or greasy, they’re very much a service item on a 2018 Everest.

On this model, rack-boots seal the inner tie rod ends and the rack’s exposed sections from dust, mud, water and road grit. They help keep the rack grease clean and stop moisture reaching the rack seals and bearings. For an Everest that tows, tours gravel roads, or sees the odd beach or bush track, those bellows cop a hiding—so a quick check at every service is smart.

What to look for? Signs like small splits in the folds, perished rubber, missing or loose clamps, or wet, greasy streaks flung onto the chassis or undertray. If a boot is damaged, grit can get in and chew out the rack and inner tie rod, which becomes an expensive fix compared with a simple boot swap.

• Inspect at every service or ~15,000–20,000 km, and always after deep-water crossings or heavy off-road work.
• Replace boots in pairs if one side has failed or the rubber’s the same age across both.
• Use quality clamps (don’t reuse stretched ones) and seat the boot fully on the rack and inner tie rod shoulders.
• A wheel alignment is recommended after boot and/or inner tie rod work.
• Avoid blasting the boots directly with a pressure washer—high-pressure jets can nick the rubber or push water past the seals.

If there’s steering heaviness, a notchiness feel, or a faint whine after a torn boot’s gone unnoticed, get the rack checked quickly. Catching a split boot early usually means a straightforward, affordable fix, leaving it can lead to inner tie rod wear or rack failure. For Aussie and Kiwi conditions—salt air, corrugations, and the odd water splash—keeping those rack-boots tidy is cheap insurance for the Everest’s steering gear.

Popular questions about 2018 Ford Everest rack-boots

Do Everest models with electric power steering still have rack-boots?
Yes. Even with EPAS, the 2018 Everest uses a conventional rack-and-pinion with inner tie rods, and each end is covered by a bellows boot to keep contaminants out.

How often should rack-boots be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval—inspect at each service and replace at the first sign of cracking, splitting, oil/grease contamination or loose clamps. Vehicles used off-road or on gravel may need earlier attention.

Can torn rack-boots fail a WOF/roadworthy?
Often, yes. If a boot is torn or insecure, or there’s evidence of contamination or grease leak, inspectors can knock it back. It’s a safety-related protective part for the steering system.