I was changing oil and as usual I take a good look at everything underneath and I noticed the drivers side steering rod rubber accordian boot was crumpled. I looked it over really good and although I can't pop it back into shape, it is not cracked or split (even though it LOOKS like it is). It is just crumpled. It looks like maybe something hit it or got pinched between it and a frame member while turning. Here's a few pictures along with a pic of the good one on the passenger side. Should I be concerned?

 

...or it got really hot somehow? If there are not any tears/holes, roll with it.

 

Ok, that's what I'll do. Thanks. It's kind of a mystery what happened to it. The car never sees dirt roads or off road anything so hard to believe it was debris of any kind. Wierd.

 

Yea, can't say I've seen that before. It is just a "dust" shield to keep dirt and that from tearing up the outer seal on the rack. I'd just keep and eye on it, check it for tears and that when changing the oil should be fine.

 

You may be able to remove the wrinkles by working the kinks. I've seen this happen during installation of a new boot and had to work a bit to correct. Has boot been replaced at some time?

Also make sure the vent tube is open and breathing. Trapped low internal pressure might collapse the boot in this manner.

good luck

 

The boot is original and the car has 173K on it. Where is the breather tube? I thought I might try unclamping one end and sneaking an air nozzle into the boot and trying to blow it back out to size. What do you guys think?

 

There should be a small tube outlet on inside end of boot. Vent tube may be blocked. Remove vent tube and first try manipulating by hand. Easy to overpressure w/ air. If you try this, be careful.

good luck

 

Ok, thanks.

 

TexasHonda,
Here's a view of my steering rack. I don't see a vent tube anywhere. Maybe mine doesn't have one? Not sure if the link will work.

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Try this