Are these struts and how serious?

[folglalb]

got a 92' honda civic four door, 174k on the odo. just replaced the(took to a mechanic) cv axles due to popping noise, but the noise is still there, so I went and took the tire off and noticed something that looks similar to a cv axle, but its not. it has the boot and all, but im not sure what it is. I am almost 100% its making the popping noise, but anyways. I took some pictures.


passenger side:




from the top:



and the drivers side:







are these the struts? or the strut towers? and do they need to be replaced ASAP or put it off?

[blown_ss]

they are neither. thats your steering rack.

[folglalb]

sounds like that could be a possible need to change asap.

[RBS]

thats your inner tie rods.. but you can replace the entire rack like blown_ss stated above.

[DustnU]

replacing the rack is probably the smarter move but it is tedious, do it asap if the noise is bad. Tie rods will be cheaper.

[98blackcivic]

yep those are inner
barefoot just replaced mine...

i just got my outer ones replaced too

if ur inners look like that, than your outers will need to be changed too THANKS BAREFOOT

also get an alignment done afterwards ASAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
or else u will find out the hard way 100% ur car will need it!

[folglalb]

haha. I took it to a mechanic actually. they told me those dont look to bad, just need new boots and a little cleaning. but they replaced the bushings in the control arms...they said when they took them out, the bushing came out in two pieces.