I was putting my ALCOA's back on when i noticed i have a ripped boot, right on.

I know there not cheap to get replaced, is this one going to be hard to replace or take a long time in a shop and be exspensive? $$$ ?

Im still not totally sure what the point of the boot is but I got oil on my hands from it, see picture













This is whats leaking out











MMMMM






P.S. I need a center cap for a alcoa if someone wants to hook me up.

 

That boot is what keeps dirt and other contaminates from getting to your power steering rack's outer seals. If there's oil leaking out, your seal is toast and from my understanding, you need to replace the steering rack(rack and pinion).

If it was just a hole in the boot w/o any fluid leaking, you can just replace the boot. But since it's leaking, that's not the case.

 

Yep, you need a new steering rack because I don't think you will find just a seal.

 

Uhhgg!!!!!! How much do you think that'll run me up at the sealership to get fixed?

How long will it last like this?

 

I bet it will be a lot at the dealership

 

That sucks.

Is there really no way to change out the seal? My rack is leaking pretty bad, but the boots not ripped or anything.

 

At rockauto.com you can get a full rack assemble for $132 with exchange.
Don't go to the dealership.

 

The Good-year shop up here quoted my girlfriend $900 to replace hers same day. Get yourself a rack and pinion and a chilton and do it yourself.

Turns out that wasnt the problem and another shop fixed it for $50

 

Ouch, thats no bueno

 

I had a boot like that rip, replaced it and it kept the fluid back in again too... like $13 or something to fix

 

the fluid shouldn't be in the boot... the fluid should be on the inside of the rack behind that seal that's toast that the boot protects.

 

Whatever you do do not buy a used one!

 

How do you replace the boot yourself and where can i find a boot ?

would this boot work or is it a different one http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PCN-8425/

 

Dude you need to replace the whole rack assembly. If its leaking fluid its shot!

 

^^Is it really? that sucks if it's true... maybe that's why mine whines so much

 

Thats just your power steering pump. Our trucks are notorious for the whine.

 

But the power steering res. isnt low its normal and i've never added to it since i bought it like a year ago. I wonder if the fluid is leaking from it for sure.

 

replace the boot and leave it and fill the boot with fluid, then the boot will blow off or blow a hole and the fluid will still leak out.

There's only one spot it can leak....AND ITS THE SEAL BEHIND THE BOOT. It's shot. Replace it.

 

But how much is this gunna run me up to replace everything? I need to find just that seal if it can be done. Would save so much

 

My understanding is that the seal is un-replaceable...it's a sealed unit. Just like our ujoints and upper balljoints and hub/bearing assemblys.

 

x2 the unit is sealed. You cannot replace just the seal! Replace the unit yourself and save a bunch of money, as said before in this thread its only like $132 with a core. And its only a few bolts and lines to disconnect.

 

The whining is just air in the system our power steering system is not the best design.

 

If you send me your Alcoa's your boot will heal itself.........honest. LOL