I suspect this group may be my best shot at this question:

I removed my steering rack yesterday. I was expecting that I would loosen the bottom bolt that "pinches" the bottom of the steering shaft to the shaft on the rack itself but as I was moving the rack around the shaft fell right out. Where it came apart is where the center section (above the rag joint) slips into the upper section that has another one of those "pinch" joints.

I was surprised it was that loose up there first off then I noticed that the shaft has 2 depressions on each side. These depressions have some kind of little piece of material in them. It looks like some kind of fiber piece. I have no idea of their purpose and now 2 of them are missing.

Can some one tell me what these things are and/or their importance? Can I just leave them out when I put it back together or do I need to try and find new pieces? I can't imagine the dealer will have such small little things without having to replace the whole steeing shaft.

If I have to replace the whole shaft, does anyone have a clue what that piece might cost?

Oh, on another note, I'm considering replacing my tie-rod ends while I have all this apart. The car has about 110,000 miles and the boots look intact but the rubber is cracking. Any idea what these may cost?

TIA