Parts for your 1998 Subaru Forester-Steering bushes

1998 Subaru Forester steering bushes — purpose, upkeep, and when to replace

Yes, the 1998 Subaru Forester (SF series) is fitted with steering rack mounting bushes. This is documented in Subaru’s workshop manual for the SF Forester (ST Steering section), which calls out the rubber “steering gearbox cushion” bushings and the rack brackets. Aftermarket technical catalogues back this up, including Whiteline’s steering rack and pinion mount bush kits for SF Forester models and SuperPro’s SPF-series steering rack mount bushings listed for 1997–2002 Forester. Together, these sources confirm the part is relevant on this model.

On the 1998 Forester, steering bushes sit between the rack-and-pinion housing and the crossmember. Their job is to hold the rack firmly in place while soaking up vibration and road harshness. When they’re in good nick, steering feels precise on-centre, the wheel recentres cleanly, and the car tracks straight even on coarse-chip roads common across Australia and New Zealand.

Over time, heat, age, and power steering fluid can soften or crack the rubber. Once the bushes start to let the rack shift under load, owners often notice vague steering, a clunk when turning or hitting potholes, and the car may wander or tramline more than usual. Tyre wear can creep in if the rack moves around under braking or acceleration.

• Typical symptoms: knock or thud from the firewall area, woolly steering feel, steering wheel shimmy over corrugations, slight pull or wander.
• Inspection tip: with the engine off, have a helper rock the steering wheel side to side while watching the rack body—visible rack movement in the mounts points to tired bushes.

Replacement is straightforward for a workshop. The rack is supported, the bracketry is removed, old bushes come out, new items are greased (as specified) and oriented correctly, then everything is torqued to the Subaru spec from the service manual. It’s smart to fix any power steering leaks first so fresh rubber doesn’t soften prematurely. After fitting, a wheel alignment check is recommended, while the geometry isn’t directly adjusted by the bushes, a shifting rack can mask underlying toe issues.

Owners can choose OEM-style rubber for comfort and factory feel, or quality polyurethane bushes for crisper response and better durability, with a small uptick in NVH. As part of normal servicing, a quick look at the steering rack bushes every 20,000 km (or annually) keeps the Forester’s steering feel tidy and confidence-inspiring.

• Technical references used: Subaru SF Forester Workshop Manual (ST – Steering), Whiteline steering rack mount bush listings for SF Forester, SuperPro steering rack mount bushing catalogue entries for 1997–2002 Forester.

Popular questions about 1998 Subaru Forester steering bushes

How do you tell if the steering rack bushes are worn on a 1998 Forester?
Common tell-tales include a dull clunk over bumps, a vague or delayed response when turning the wheel, and the car wandering on uneven roads. With the engine off, gently rocking the steering wheel while watching the rack can reveal movement at the mounts—if the rack shifts rather than the tie rods moving first, the bushes are likely tired.

Should you choose rubber or polyurethane steering bushes?
For a daily-driven Forester that prioritises comfort, quality rubber feels closest to factory and keeps noise and vibration low. If the goal is sharper steering and longer service life, polyurethane tightens things up nicely, but may add a touch more vibration on coarse surfaces. Either way, buy from a reputable brand to ensure correct fit and durometer.

Do you need an alignment after replacing steering bushes?
The bushes themselves don’t set alignment, but a worn rack that’s been moving around can hide small toe changes. After replacing the bushes, it’s good practice to have the alignment checked so the Forester tracks straight and preserves tyre life.