I've searched like crazy and while I've seen several posts where people have replaced the right side rack and pinion boot, and they've said it's easy, I haven't come across any instructions for completing the procedure. Our car is a 2009 Lexus RX350 FWD with ~132,000 miles. At 92,000 miles, Lexus re-sealed and replaced the boot on the right side of the rack and pinion and charged us $986. 40,000 miles later, the right side boot is beginning to fall apart and I'm guessing that the seal is leaking again. (Pisses me off, because we bought Lexus because of its reputation for quality. This car has really disappointed me and we won't be buying another Lexus.) It doesn't appear to be leaking externally yet (no drops on the ground.) I want to replace the boot and try replacing the power steering fluid with something like Lucas Oil Power Steering Stop Leak.

It looks like it could be a PITA to access the inward clamp to remove and replace the boot. Can anyone offer any tips and tools to use to complete this part of the task?

Thanks in advance!

David

 

Its not to hard to get that inward clamp off, especially since you are not trying to save either the clamp or the boot, just get medieval on it with a long screwdriver. My boots were so rotten they did not put up much of a fight. You can search you tube, and look for the method of replacing the boot by not undoing the adjustable tie rod. I.e., put a bag and some grease on the end after you have popped it off the steering arm, and force the new boot over the ball joint. This worked great for me, no alignment or fighting with steering rod bolts needed. I used plastic zip ties to secure the inner boots, been fine.

Only special tool need is a ball joint separator, which I got from HF, not much $. Used ebay boots, cheap.

I put Lucas Stop leak into the system per instructions and it fixed my leak, which previously ate right through right side boot, and almost the left. Been fine for 2 years, no need to top off PS fluid anymore. Gl.

 

"Just get medieval on it" made me laugh out loud! I saw zip ties being used to replace the clamps. but using them concerned me. Two years is a solid test!

Thanks for the info!

David

 

Gee whiz that's a Huge Amount of $$$ for that.

My inner boot($15 ebay) went out too and when I jacked up the tire I could feel play on the inner tie rod($70 oem on ebay) so I replaced them both for under $100.

If you can DIY you can save money & afford to spoil yourrself with some nice New Tools!

PS- Nice thick zip ties worked just fine on mine too.

 

I have the same issue on the right side
2009 rx350 awd
lexus asked. $1700- thinking about taking it to nearby Toyoyta

 

Hi lexinerd, Unless they are doing more than an inner tie rod & boot this is WAAAAAYYYY to much.
Please see detail below for Part #2 & 4- book time is 0.6 hrs for inner tie rod plus maybe some extra time for boots and diagnositics plus alignment.
How much are they charging per hour $ for their shop rates?

PS- Notice the book time at #.6- this is if rack is out of car- maybe add an extra 0.5 for doing it while in the car? It took me 1.5 hrs total
on jack stands without the luxury of the car being high on the lift so I could remove the inner clip that required long and strong prypay/screw driver
at the perfect angle. At semi retired working slow and taking smoke breaks it didn't take me 2 hrs(For both inner & outer tie rods passenger side with new boots!)

>> This is for the 2005 RX330.


>> And this is for the 2007-2009 RX350.



These are from my part sheets and look very similar.

 

I'd just as well,replace the whole rack assembly....Knowing a possible rack issue down the road why not?

 

Thanks for the info