From: xenolith@optusnet.com.au   
      
   On 21/12/20 11:06 pm, Arlen Holder wrote:   
   > How long have you gone with a badly torn rubber boot in a rack and pinion   
   > steering arm?   
   >   
   > Please don't tell me it's dangerous, nor that it has to be replaced, nor   
   > that you can do it yourself, nor that it will last only a day, etc.   
   >   
   > My problem set is that I told someone they need to replace that badly torn   
   > boot I found by looking, and they don't have the money or skills, so   
   > they're gonna live with it (residential roads, California weather, which is   
   > to say rain for three months and nothing but clean sunshine for the rest of   
   > the year).   
   >   
   > If you have never driven with a torn steering boot in a typical Japanese   
   > sedan, then you won't be able to answer the question, as I can't answer it   
   > either.   
   >   
   > They asked me how long it would take before it fails, and I told them they   
   > don't want to have it fail, but I'm stuck with what is so that's why I ask.   
   >   
   > Again, if you've never driven with a torn boot, you can't possibly know the   
   > answer to the question (unless you know of someone who did).   
   >   
   > In that case, how long did the person drive before the link eventually   
   > failed?   
   >   
   The boot keeps lubricant in and water out but it also keeps *dirt and   
   grit* out. By not replacing the boot post haste you risk premature wear   
   and abrasion of the steering rack internals. Be aware that as the boot   
   flexes it flows air back and forth. It will, in effect, suck in dirt and   
   grit though the tear. My friend's Benz had such a tear and the damage to   
   the internal rack components was significant. Minor tear led to a major   
   repair job and, worse, it was a *Power Rack*. All new pressure seals,   
   complete clean out of the entire hydraulic system, etc. etc.   
      
   My advice is - see a torn boot, replace it immediately. If the owner   
   cannot afford to fix such a simple issue then you have to question   
   whether they can afford to own and operate a car.   
      
   --   
      
   Xeno   
      
      
   Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.   
          (with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)