Rack and pinion bellow dilemma 2008 Silverado

[1911CHAMPION]

Vehicle specs:
2008 Chevy Silverado Z71 crew cab short box with heavy towing package.

I’ve ordered rack and pinion boots/bellows from three different places: Amazon (PartsW —> horrible customer service, stay away from this 3rd party seller!), Rockauto, and now Autozone.

None of them have given me the correct part for my truck. The opening on the bellow that goes over the steering rack has been much smaller on the parts I have purchased than the one that came off of the vehicle. (See photos). And I even after striking out on the Amazon ones opted to spend the money on the AC Delcos from RA which was another hit and a miss.

Does anyone know if for some reason the Z 71 off-road with the heavy towing package had a different steering rack and pinion option?

I am striking out here and I need to get the truck put back together for next weekend to go pick up a camper.

 

[Trav]

Go to your local dealer with your VIN and get them.

 

[Timmastertech]

Have the vin number?

 

[D60]

Heat the boots and use an exhaust pipe expander. Duh.

(I'm joking)

 

[Oillover]

Have the vin number?

+1
Not sure why OP is so against OEM?

 

[1911CHAMPION]

Have the vin number?

 

[Shel_B]

Just a thought...

https://www.gmpartsstore.com/gm-par...YblTDIKIXPBctqCDA8aFuFfyWUaZGkVxoCEQcQAvD_BwE

https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/?...y0G9XnmVX0rkpIlTW9nj1EUgEWXBYtYxoCjAEQAvD_BwE

https://parts.gmparts.com/

 

[1911CHAMPION]

Just a thought...

https://www.gmpartsstore.com/gm-par...YblTDIKIXPBctqCDA8aFuFfyWUaZGkVxoCEQcQAvD_BwE

https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/?...y0G9XnmVX0rkpIlTW9nj1EUgEWXBYtYxoCjAEQAvD_BwE

https://parts.gmparts.com/

The only problem is those sites sort to the same ACDelco part number that RA shipped me, which doesn’t fit. And the ACDelco boots were plastic, not rubber. So….?

I am completely amiss as to why this truck has a larger mounting diameter for the boot on the rack. What’s even more hilarious is that the AC Delco boots say they fit a 2.62 diameter rack which is simply not true because the opening on the boot which is plastic is only about 2 inches.

 

[Shel_B]

The only problem is those sites sort to the same ACDelco part number that RA shipped me, which doesn’t fit. And the ACDelco boots were plastic, not rubber. So….?

I am completely amiss as to why this truck has a larger mounting diameter for the boot on the rack. What’s even more hilarious is that the AC Delco boots say they fit a 2.62 diameter rack which is simply not true because the opening on the boot which is plastic is only about 2 inches.

Maybe the thing to do is talk to a parts person at a dealership and explain the problem and show him/her the boots.

 

[Trav]

Thermoplastic boots are the way to go if you can the right ones. Some OE boots can be a tight fit and need some persuading to install, I use a little grease in the rod end and WD40 on the rack side, it helps.