Steering column plastic boot in engine bay - how important?

[p in phcas]

I have noticed that the plastic boot covering the steering column to steering rack in the engine bay is cracked and open in places through no fault other than old age! How important is it to get it sealed and replaced?

If someone says "do it" then that leads to other questions like... how difficult would that be (changing the Aux Air Valve was a bitch) and are they available?

[GT_II]

I guess the purpose of the boot is to keep dirt and moisture out of the universal joint shaft and to seal the engine bay from the cabin.. The part number for RHD is 172419523, certainly available used or as a new aftermarket part. Looking at VW"s service manual for running gear, fitting would involve removing the steering rack from the body and detaching the universal joint shaft from the steering rack. The boot can then be threaded over the universal joint shaft.

However, how critical it is in practice, and how challenging a job it is to fit, I can't say. I've heard they are particularly prone to fail if the exhaust manifold/downpipe heat shield is missing

[james butler]

it also prevents water and dirt entering the top of the steering rack through the input shaft seal so does do an important job as well as keeping nasty gasses from possible exhaust leakage local to that area

[p in phcas]

OK,thanks for the replies.

Looks like a project for spring 2026. If I can get one..... Most sites listing them state out of stock, including VW Heritage. I did find https://vwgolf1.com/index.php/product/m ... 172419523/ on the GolfMk1 forum.