Steering Rack Question (1 Viewer)

[DMCTX]

In the process of trying to diagnose a steering issue, I noticed this loose clamp and broken boot on top of the steering rack. First picture is from the driver side and the second one is from above. Is this something I can replace? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[DMCTX]

Vehicle is a 2006 LX470

 

[DMCTX]

Bump - I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. I just bought the vehicle recently and the steering was pretty loose. I found that the bolt that goes through the bushing on the driver side of the rack was loose. That allowed the rack to move up and down when turning. I'm wondering if this boot could have been cracked when it was moving up and down.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[hkeller]

Looks like CV boot clamps. NAPA makes a lot and took to fix this without disasemmbly.

 

[KraziAzn]

those are CV axles, you'll probably need ones, I recommend OEM. You're gonna have to remove the axles to replace the boot, might aswell just get new axles. Also I would replace the front diff seal while you're at it.

 

[DMCTX]

OK I was afraid of that. Thank you both for your help!

 

[nissanh]

2nd picture is the U-joint on steering shaft. Can you post a better picture? turn the front left wheel to left and take a picture from the opening.

 

[dino1]

Great thread on here on replacing the rack. More then likely that would be the best way to go. I just did this and I’m in Austin if you need help and advice.

 

[DMCTX]

2nd picture is the U-joint on steering shaft. Can you post a better picture? turn the front left wheel to left and take a picture from the opening.

I will take some more pictures, but I'm certain that you're right. It's tough to get a decent picture of that spot. If it is the U-joint on the steering shaft, is that boot supposed to be clamped on? Can the boot be replaced or does that require a new rack?

 

[Zer0zg]

Having just done some work on my 04's steering rack, it's hard to picture what that could be. The rack doesn't have a boot with a clamp there, just a little cap. The only thing I can think of is that the clamp and boot from the body side of the steering shaft came loose and worked their way down the steering shaft to the rack. See pic below from my truck. Come to think of it, I'd imagine that could cause some steering issues on the way down. I'd check to see if you have this boot in place, should be able to see it from the driver side wheel well looking towards the dash.

 

[Zer0zg]

Bump - I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. I just bought the vehicle recently and the steering was pretty loose. I found that the bolt that goes through the bushing on the driver side of the rack was loose. That allowed the rack to move up and down when turning. I'm wondering if this boot could have been cracked when it was moving up and down.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Missed this post. Ok my theory here is the rack moved enough that the thrust stopper at the body end of the intermediate shaft (round washer looking thing with a gap in the pic I posted above) grabbed and pulled loose the boot at the body. Then the boot and clamp assembly worked their way down the shaft. The steering issue could 100% have been caused by the loose bolt. Should be PNs 45292 and 90460-75003 in the diagram below.

 

[nissanh]

The picture in post-10 shows the shaft is not centered so a bushing as stated in the above thread might have wornout. Install the dust shield for this bushing at the same time.

you'll have to loosen and remove the 10 mm bolt (90119-08560) at the bottom of the intermediate shaft (near U joint). DO NOT TURN the steering wheel once this bolt is removed (it can strip the shaft groves). Then remove two bolts at the top of this intermediate shaft and then push the intermediate shaft towards the steering rack to make an opening to access/remove/install the bushing/shield. DO NOT turn the steering wheel during this repair (can damage the clock spring and might not center the wheel)

 

[Zer0zg]

The picture in post-10 shows the shaft is not centered so a bushing as stated in the above thread might have wornout. Install the dust shield for this bushing at the same time.

That pic is my car, not the OP, but yes I had worn out rack bushings as well. Replaced the passenger side with poly, chickened out on replacing the driver side…