Parts for your 2000 Daihatsu Terios-Steering bushes

2000 Daihatsu Terios steering bushes — what they do and when to replace them

Based on the Daihatsu Terios J100/J102 service manual (Steering section) and the Toyota Cami (Terios twin) electronic parts catalogue, the 2000 Terios runs a hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear mounted to the crossmember with rubber insulator bushes, plus a support bush in the lower steering column. There’s no pitman or idler arm on this model. So yes — steering bushes are fitted and relevant on a 2000 Daihatsu Terios.

Those bushes keep the steering rack securely located while soaking up vibration. They help the wheel stay pointed where it should, reduce kickback through the column, and cut down on noise and harshness. Over time, heat, age, oil contamination, and rough roads can crack, squash, or harden the rubber. When that happens, the rack can shift on the mounts and the steering starts to feel loose or clunky.

• Typical signs they’re tired: a dull clunk over bumps, vague or wandering steering on the motorway, shudder through the wheel, uneven front tyre wear, or a knock you can feel when rocking the wheel at a standstill.

As part of regular servicing on a 2000 Terios, it’s smart to inspect the steering-bushes annually or every 15,000–20,000 km. Look for cracks, missing chunks, or oil-soaked rubber, and check that the rack-mount clamps are torqued to spec from the workshop manual. If power steering fluid has been leaking, clean it up and sort the leak before fitting new bushes — fluid quickly ruins fresh rubber.

1. When replacing, do both rack-mount bushes together. Support the rack, mark bush orientation, and refit the clamps to the correct torque.
2. Choose quality OEM-style rubber for factory NVH, or polyurethane for a firmer, sharper feel (with a bit more vibration). If using poly, apply the supplied grease.
3. After any bush replacement, book a wheel alignment. Also eyeball the inner and outer tie rods, rack boots, and the lower column joint while you’re there.

On a lightly-used Terios, good rubber bushes can last well past 100,000 km. If the vehicle sees corrugations or heavy loads, expect to refresh them sooner. Keeping the bushes healthy helps the Terios steer straight, tracks better on NZ back roads and Aussie highways, and preserves your tyres.

Popular questions

Does the 2000 Terios have steering bushes or a steering box?
It uses a rack-and-pinion with rubber rack-mount bushes, not a recirculating-ball steering box with pitman and idler arms. That layout is confirmed in the Daihatsu service manual steering section and Toyota Cami parts listings for the J100/J102 platform.

How can someone quickly tell if their Terios’ steering bushes are worn?
With the wheels chocked and the engine off, have a helper rock the steering wheel left–right while watching the rack where it mounts to the crossmember. Visible rack movement, a clunk, or rubber that looks cracked or oil-soaked are giveaways. On-road symptoms include tramlining, a loose on-centre feel, or a thud over potholes.

Rubber vs polyurethane bushes — which suits a Terios best?
For daily use and gravel touring, quality rubber is usually the pick for comfort and quiet. Polyurethane tightens up the steering and can last longer, but you’ll likely notice a bit more vibration through the wheel. Either way, proper fitment and a post-job alignment matter more than the material.