Why does a defective steering boot have to be replaced?

Reading time 4 Min.

Is the steering boot defective? These are the symptoms, this is how the change/exchange takes place and the following costs must be expected. Yes, first some information. The axial joints and the steering gear are through steering cuffs protected against dirt and the resulting damage. However, they can wear out with age. This manifests itself in the fact that the steering boot loses its plasticizer and as a result cracked will. A visual and tactile inspection can help to detect symptoms such as cracks or leaking oil on the steering boot at an early stage. Defective steering boots can result in extremely high costs if they damage the rack, tie rod, axial joint or steering gear. Damage to the steering boot should therefore as quickly as possible be resolved.

Replacement of worn steering boots

A worn steering boot is definitely a must be replaced. However, a specialist workshop should be consulted for this. For the change are namely frequent special tools needed. In addition, after the change, a Wheel alignment accomplished. Normally one performs the replacement of the steering boot always on both sides. If one steering boot is damaged, it is likely that the other will soon follow, since similar wear can be assumed. Furthermore, the wheel alignment must be carried out in any case, so that you can save money if you replace both sides at the same time. However, you can also decide only one side to renew.

The vehicle is raised on a lifting platform for the repair work. The wheel with the affected steering sleeve and the underbody paneling can then be removed. This is followed by the dismantling of the tie rod end with its lock nut and the clamps, which are used to attach the steering boot. When all this is done, the old steering boot can be removed. Depending on the vehicle type and condition, Corrosion or an unfavorable one Mounting position affect. So it can happen that the tie rod end is difficult to detach from the cone or the axial joint from the tie rod end. After installing the new steering boot, the Measure axles and set correct track. It can also be considered whether the tie rod end and the axial joint should be replaced in addition to changing the steering boot, since they will be removed in the course of the repair work anyway.

Costs for changing the steering boot!

The material for installing a new steering boot costs between 10 and 100 euros per side. Mapco, Febi, Bilstein, Triscan or Monroe are well-known manufacturers of the corresponding spare parts. The time required for the repair can be calculated at around half an hour to an hour per side. At an hourly rate of 100 euros, you pay 50 to 100 euros for the workload. This results in total costs of 60 to 200 euros for each side, i.e 120 to 400 euros for the entire axle. Steering boots are wearing parts. So don't hope for goodwill. The final wheel alignment and wheel alignment costs between 50 and 200 euros.

Importance of an intact steering boot!

Steering boots are important to protect tie rods, axle joints and the steering gear entering To ensure dirt and resulting damage. In return, she prevents that exit of oil or fat and thus contributes to the protection of the environment. There are always two steering sleeves (both left and right) on steering axles. This means that most vehicles have two steering boots as only the front axle is steered.

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

In this tuningblog category there are guides and instructions for common defects/repairs on the vehicle and for installing accessories/tuning parts. Our articles explain in a simple way common defects and the corresponding repairs, as well as explaining how the first signs of a defect become noticeable. In most cases, we also have initial clues to the repair instructions in our repair instructions approximate The costs of the pending repair are listed. The goal of our subcategory “Auto Repair Guide“ is to create a head start in knowledge for the next visit to the workshop with initial tips. This may save you from tedious troubleshooting and small things can perhaps be done directly on your own. The same applies, of course, to the installation of accessories/tuning parts. Here, too, we would like to help with the implementation with instructions and tips. There are many other posts on this as well. Below is an excerpt of the last and HERE there are all previous instructions:

Symptoms, repair, change, costs: defective cooling water hose!

Cooling water loss - information & background!

Signs of a defective steering gear!

"tuningblog.eu" - we keep you up to date on the subject of autotuning and car styling with our tuning magazine and present you with the latest tuned vehicles from all over the world every day. It's best to subscribe to ours Feed and will automatically be informed as soon as there is something new about this post, and of course also to all other contributions.