I assume there is supposed to be a boot starting at the steering gear and working about half way up the steering shaft.

It can be seen here as #6

My assembly has never had this boot. (Yes it looks like garbage. I had just sprayed it with lubricant in an attempt to locate a clicking feel I had been getting through the steering wheel.)

I would assume I should get a boot back onto this ASAP.

Is anyone else missing this boot?
Is it a common part to lose?

It appears like I can buy the boot for $4, and the clamp(s?) for $4.
Or I can buy a "kit" for $25, which includes both the above plus "grease".
Anyone know what kind of grease they may be packed into this boot? $17 sounds like a lot of cash for $3 worth of grease -if it's not a specialty grease or some such.

Anyone ever replaced this part?

Thanks!



.

 

There isn't a boot associated with the steering gear. From the factory there was a plastic heat shield that clamped over this area to protect it from exhaust manifold heat. I removed mine 50K miles ago as it interferred with my blower installation. There also isn't any grease that gets "packed" into this area. There is a bearing associated with the steering pinion gear. I recently had excessive play in my steering and discovered that the pinion gear would move up and down when turning the wheel. I replaced the entire steering rack for $130 and solved the problem (had 146,000 miles on it). Your clunking could be ball joint related or tie rod ends.