Steering rack boot installation.
 

Hi all,
I was under the car changing the oil, and noticed my steering rack boots are torn...how hard are they to replace, does the rack need to come out?
Sadly, this rack was replaced in July this year...they must have reused the old boots...

You don't have to remove the rack to replace the boots. They come as a kit from Subaru. both boots the the clips for both sides. The new boots are plastic and I had to heat them up in some warm water to get them to slip on. They fix very snug.

beefcake, do you happen to have the part number for that kit? i noticed mine are getting kinda juicy, i want to replace them too.

The part number is 34128PA030 Subaru list is $53.35.

These boots are hard plastic and not rubber. They make a crackling sound when you turn. I hope it goes away with time.

Notes on steering rack boot replacement/failures
 

If your boots are oily, then the outer seal in the rack has failed and is leaking fluid into them. That's assuming it's not just engine oil covering them...

You have to be careful when installing the boots to clamp them in the proper place on the inner tie rod and make sure to "burp" the air out. Many of these boots are damaged during alignments when the inner tie rod end is turned and the boot is not loosened. It twists them and will make them tear when they flex.