Did you check a dealer to see if the boot is available? I imagine it would have some sort of factory part number. I just did a rack replacement and it was a major pain in the butt. Hope you don't have to go through all of that just for a torn boot.

 

Here's one. Should be more out there: http://www.jcwhitney.com/dorman-steering-rack-boot/p3051032.jcwx?filterid=c11317d420y2005g26u0j1

 

There used to be a split axle boot available for gen1 vans. I used one once and it worked fine.

Maybe one is available for G4 steering racks. Worth looking up.

 

The only listing is for a universal boot, and it has no provision for the Crossover vent pipe. It looks like I will be replacing the rack.
Hank

 

Lose the vent pipe and place one 1/8" hole on one of the baffle on the bottom rear quarter of the boot after installed. The cross over tube is there to keep pressure or vacuum from building up as the boot expands and collapses. A small hole added with out the crossover tube would do the same with minimal exposure if any from the elements. If fact lots of other brands do not have the crossover, I did an inner tie rod on a taurus x yesterday and the boots self vent with out a tube.
Most likely you will not use the oem clamp again unless you have small hands, and will use a zip tie that if not too tight should allow the air pressure difference balance it self if the sip tie is not too tight.

 

You can wrap it with plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. Tape the ends with electrical tape.

 

No, you can buy the boots separately in Ebay, I did last year, and came with tie wraps too, good quality, I would even venture that are better than the ones that came with the van. Good hunting

 

Thanks for the tip, I found them for my year and will order
Hank