Parts for your 2021 Ford Escape-Rack boots

2021 Ford Escape rack-boots: what they do and when to replace them

Based on technical references including the Ford Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 211-02 Steering System for the 2020–2022 Escape/Kuga (C2 platform), the Ford global parts catalogue (Microcat/Ecat) showing “steering gear boot/bellows” on each end of the EPAS rack, and common aftermarket listings for inner tie-rod boot kits for this model year, the 2021 Ford Escape is fitted with rack-boots.

On the 2021 Ford Escape’s electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), rack-boots (also called bellows or gaiters) sit at each end of the steering rack, sealing around the inner tie rods. Their job is simple but crucial: keep dust, water and grit out, keep the correct lubrication in, and allow the rack to move freely without contamination. When the boots are intact, the steering stays smooth, the inner tie rods and rack bar last longer, and the vehicle keeps its precise on-road feel — handy on Aussie and Kiwi roads where weather and gravel can be unforgiving.

As part of regular servicing, workshops typically inspect the rack-boots every 12 months or 15,000 km. They look for splits, perishing, loose or missing clamps, and signs of grease or dirt inside the bellows. Any tear lets grime into the rack, which can chew out the inner tie rod or the rack seal, leading to play in the steering and uneven tyre wear. Because EPAS doesn’t use hydraulic fluid, a torn boot won’t leak power steering fluid — but contamination damage can still get pricey fast.

When replacement is needed, good practice is to:

• Fit quality OEM-spec boots with new clamps (avoid generic cable ties).
• Inspect inner tie rods for play while the boot is off, replace if loose.
• Lightly lubricate sealing lips as specified, don’t overpack the boot.
• Ensure any breather feature in the boot isn’t kinked or blocked.
• Perform a wheel alignment after reassembly, as toe will be disturbed.

Owners in coastal or off-bitumen regions benefit from closer checks, as salt spray and dust accelerate rubber ageing. Keeping pressure washers and solvents off the boots helps them last. Replacing boots in pairs isn’t mandatory, but many technicians recommend it if one side has failed and the other is visibly aged. Catching a cracked boot early is cheap insurance for the Escape’s steering gear.

Popular questions about 2021 Ford Escape rack-boots

Do 2021 Ford Escapes actually have rack-boots?
Yes. The EPAS steering rack on the 2021 Escape uses bellows-style rack-boots on both ends. This is documented in Ford’s Workshop Manual for the C2-platform Escape/Kuga and shown in Ford’s official parts catalogue diagrams.

How often should rack-boots be checked?
Most workshops check them at every routine service (about every 12 months or 15,000 km). High-exposure use — plenty of gravel, mud or coastal salt — warrants more frequent inspections.

Is an alignment needed after replacing a rack-boot?
Usually, yes. Removing the outer tie rod to swap the boot alters toe. A proper wheel alignment restores the Escape’s handling and prevents premature tyre wear.