Parts for your 2020 Toyota Prius-Rack boots

2020 Toyota Prius Rack Boots: What They Do, and When to Replace Them

Per Toyota’s service information (TIS) for the ZVW50-series Prius and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), the 2020 Toyota Prius uses an electric rack-and-pinion steering gear that includes bellows-style steering rack boots. So yes—rack boots are present, relevant, and serviceable on this model.

On a 2020 Prius, the rack boots (sometimes called bellows) shield the inner tie rods and the ends of the steering rack from road grit, water, and salt spray while helping retain the factory-applied grease. Even with electric power steering, the mechanical rack still needs clean, protected movement. If a boot splits or its clamps loosen, muck gets in, grease gets out, and the rack and inner joints can wear prematurely—turning a simple boot job into an expensive steering gear replacement.

For everyday servicing in Australia or New Zealand, it’s smart to have the rack boots inspected at each routine service interval (around every 12 months or 15,000 km, or as per the owner’s service plan). A quick visual check can catch small cracks before they open up. It’s worth paying extra attention if the car’s met a pothole or kerb, or after suspension and wheel alignment work.

• Tell-tale signs: visible splits or perishing in the rubber, loose or missing clamps, grease mist on the subframe, dirt trapped inside the folds, a notchy or heavier steering feel, or uneven tyre wear that can point to inner joint contamination.
• Best-practice replacement: use quality boots that match length and inner/outer diameters, renew clamps rather than reusing, avoid twisting the bellows on install, set the boot so it doesn’t bind at full lock, and book a wheel alignment afterwards, as the tie rod must be disturbed. Don’t overpack grease—follow Toyota specs to avoid swelling the rubber or upsetting rack feel.

If a boot has just torn, getting it replaced promptly can save the rack. Driving long with a split boot invites water and road grit inside—especially with coastal salt air or heavy rain—accelerating corrosion and inner joint wear. The job is typically quick for a workshop, and far cheaper than a steering rack.

Look after the rack boots, and the Prius’s steering stays light, precise, and quiet for the long haul.

Popular questions about 2020 Toyota Prius rack boots

How often should the rack boots be checked on a 2020 Prius?
They should be inspected at regular service intervals—about every 12 months or 15,000 km. It’s also wise to check them after any front-end knock, big pothole hit, or suspension work.

Frequent short trips in wet or coastal conditions can age the rubber faster, so a quick look during tyre rotations is a good habit.

What are the symptoms of a failing or torn rack boot?
Common signs include visible splits or perishing, loose clamps, or grease spray on nearby components. Steering that feels a bit notchy or heavier than usual can hint at contamination of the inner joint.

While uneven tyre wear can have many causes, it’s another cue to inspect the rack boots and inner tie rods closely.

Is it safe to drive with a torn rack boot?
Short trips directly to a workshop are usually fine, but extended driving isn’t recommended. Water and grit can quickly enter and damage the inner tie rod and rack, especially in wet weather or salty coastal air.

Replacing the boot early is far cheaper than replacing a steering rack later on.