Is it advisable to replace the boots without replacing the rack? What does a rack cost and how much labor time? I'll take my answer off of the air.
Cracked Rack Boots
Cracked Rack Boots
Had my '94 q (83K miles) in for tire rotation the other day and notice the rack boots are split. There is some fluid inside the boots, but does not appear to be leaking out. No other apparent problems.
Is it advisable to replace the boots without replacing the rack? What does a rack cost and how much labor time? I'll take my answer off of the air.
Is it advisable to replace the boots without replacing the rack? What does a rack cost and how much labor time? I'll take my answer off of the air.
-
Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
There are factory new racks and various grades of rebuilt racks which just get a few gaskets replaced. The problem is the rebuilt racks don't get a new pinion gear. So you want to keep your factory new rack as long as possible.
Racks don't have to wear or leak if you keep the fluid changed every year.My oem 13 year old rack doesn't leak at 240,000 miles......it is on its 2nd set of replacement boots.
The PS fluid is much more stressed than the same fluid in the transmission and should be examined for color change [overheat and shear stress] often!
Racks don't have to wear or leak if you keep the fluid changed every year.My oem 13 year old rack doesn't leak at 240,000 miles......it is on its 2nd set of replacement boots.
The PS fluid is much more stressed than the same fluid in the transmission and should be examined for color change [overheat and shear stress] often!
-
greg_atlanta
- Posts: 1111
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 4:37 pm
- Car: 2008 G35 Journey Sedan, silver/black (no sunroof), 1992 Q45 (in a past life)
Re: Cracked Rack Boots
hobber wrote:Is it advisable to replace the boots without replacing the rack?
Yep... typical repair item. Probably best to have dealer replace them since the alignment has to be checked afterwards (and price probably figured into repair). You may also want to consider replacing the tie rod end bushings (at the opposite end of the rod with the rack boots near the wheel) if the steering is starting to feel sloppy. I replaced mine recently on my '92 Q and it made the steering more accurate.
-
Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Failure to treat and retreat [frequently] all rubber items.... [there is roughly 115 pounds of rubber in a Q without tires]......... including the sound deadening materials to protect against the the degration by oxygen, ozone, heat, road salt, dirty water, etc results in serious expenses to replace these items prematurely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My guess is there is close to $4,000 worth of rubber isolated items in a Q not counting the transmission or engine!
Runon sentences are my specialty
My guess is there is close to $4,000 worth of rubber isolated items in a Q not counting the transmission or engine!
Runon sentences are my specialty