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Steering rack boot

Discussion in '348/355' started by markgllc, Sep 11, 2009.

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  1. markgllc

    markgllc Karting

    Dec 25, 2008
    179
    Fairborn, OH
    #1 markgllc, Sep 11, 2009
    While cleaning my front brakes of all their gunk and dust on my 348 and installing new pads and I noticed a spot of grease below the drivers side steering rack bellow. Checked the bellow and it's split so that's where the grease came from. Checked on the part and it's kinda high...I think anyway...40 for a boot? Has anybody found this boot at a little better price or is this the going rate for this part?

    I may see what I can find out...I'm sure TRW makes boots/bellows for almost any steering rack. If I take measurements on mine I'd guess I can find one for about 1/2. If nobody has checked on this and has a part number...I'll do a sourcing post if I figure something out.

    The boot looks to be an easy fix once you get the tie rod off...getting dirt and grime into your rack isn't good and I'm sure a rack isn't cheap or easy to replace. I've got other issues besides the rack right now (should have been dropping the exhaust and fixing my slightly dripping TO bearing) but it's on the list. The front brakes seemed much easier to tackle...so I did them instead.
     
  2. markgllc

    markgllc Karting

    Dec 25, 2008
    179
    Fairborn, OH
    #2 markgllc, Sep 12, 2009
    http://www.easternimports.com/catalog/detail/BA103-2671

    I found a steering rack boot that looks like it might be the right size for my 348. I have to get measurements off mine once I get it off and verify with the size before ordering but looks to be the same part. My guess is if this isn't the right size...I can give them the sizes and they can tell me what I need.

    I was wrong on the price...I guessed I'd find it for around $25.00...it's about 5 bucks. Not a bad price to protect the racks internals. I thought $40 was kinda steep (not slamming our sponsors but I can't/won't pay $40 for a rubber boot) when there's nothing special about it. It just needs to keep the greese in and the dirt out. Many steering racks use the same parts...if you haven't looked at your 348's steering boots...I'd check em, that rubber might be getting old and brittle...mine was. I'd hate to see what Ferrari wants for the one in the yellow box. This simple 5 dollar fix can potentially save you big bucks over replacing the rack.
     
  3. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
    2,800
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    F683
    #3 eulk328, Sep 12, 2009
    I'm curious if that non-OEM boot is made of rubber or plastic. Looks like plastic to me (quite shiny). I got some CV joint boot kits for my Saab once. A lot less than OEM but the boots are plastic :-(



     
  4. markgllc

    markgllc Karting

    Dec 25, 2008
    179
    Fairborn, OH
    #4 markgllc, Sep 12, 2009
    Good point...OEM bellow is rubber...the part I found does look to be plastic. I think they last about the same. I personally don't care which I use but at 30 more for rubber...I think I'd be fine with a plastic one. Heck it may last longer.

    If there was some benefit to spending more for the rubber one...I would, but that's not true in this case.
     
  5. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
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    #5 eulk328, Sep 12, 2009
    At 6 bucks you might as well try it especially since it's not in a hot area like an inboard CV joint boot (although plastic might be fine there too). Though... I would use original clamps rather than those tie-wraps that come with it. I don't think they'll give a proper seal especially trying to seal the harder/stiffer than rubber, plastic.


     
  6. rskdsk

    rskdsk Formula Junior

    Jun 1, 2006
    527
    #6 rskdsk, Sep 28, 2009
    I had to change my battery yesterday and noticed that my steering boot is completely broken ... have you change it yet .... where did you by it from?
     
  7. 355

    355 F1 Rookie
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    Jan 4, 2005
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    Frank
    #7 355, Sep 28, 2009
    What the.....we are talking a state of the art car here. Spend the 40 bucks for the oem part for God sake.
     
  8. rskdsk

    rskdsk Formula Junior

    Jun 1, 2006
    527
    #8 rskdsk, Sep 29, 2009
    I could care less about the $40 ... i am interested in the how it is done.
     
  9. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
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    #9 AceMaster, Sep 30, 2009
    With all due respect 355, I don't believe you showing him up like that is necessary. If you are that concerned, buy it for him as an early Xmas gift :)
     
  10. 355

    355 F1 Rookie
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    #10 355, Sep 30, 2009
    Come on, We are talking about a $40 OEM part here. Why look any further. Call Daniel at Recambi and get his price. When someone is looking to save money on a $40 dollar part for a Ferrari......it makes one wonder does it not?
     
  11. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
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    #11 AceMaster, Sep 30, 2009
    That is fine that you feel that way, but I don't believe it is anyone's business or place to comment on such a matter unless he specifically asks "what do you guys think of me taking a short-cut on a $40 part if I can make it myself" or whatever.
     
  12. MarkJ

    MarkJ Formula Junior

    Sep 10, 2006
    729
    NW Arkansas
    Full Name:
    Mark Jones
    #12 MarkJ, Oct 4, 2009
    Some F-car owners, and future owners such as myself, enjoy the quest of keeping Ferrari ownership as inexpensive as possible. If Markgllc saves $35 a side and he find the plastic boot lasts only half as long as the rubber part, he's still $60 ahead over the life of the OEM part. I thinks its fun and even helpful when other owners hear of a DIYer's research into other part sources. If you haven't already done so, check the parts interchange sticky. Lots of others have done the same thing you are doing. Some call it cheap but I call it common sense.
     
  13. 355

    355 F1 Rookie
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    #13 355, Oct 4, 2009
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2009
    Thats all fine and good BUT Ferrari made the boots out of rubber for a reason. Believe me they wouldnt have spent more if they didnt have to. There are times where going aftermarket such as Hill Engineering is a very good thing. Better built part at half the price. But I would never replace an oem part with a lesser engineered part to save a couple of dollars. Same thing goes for the water pump. There are others out there but they are not as good as the OEM.
     

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