Parts for your 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer-Steering bushes

2007 Mitsubishi Lancer steering-bushes: what they do and when to replace them

Steering-bushes are absolutely relevant to the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer. Technical sources including the Mitsubishi Motors Lancer Workshop Manual (Group 37 – Power Steering), the Mitsubishi ASA/EPC parts catalogue, and the Haynes Mitsubishi Lancer 2002–2011 repair manual show the Lancer’s power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering gear mounted to the front crossmember with rubber rack mounting bushes (often called steering rack bushes). These bushes secure the rack and isolate vibration, and they’re service items that can wear with age and kilometres.

On a 2007 Lancer, the steering-bushes sit between the steering rack housing and the front crossmember. Their main job is to hold the rack precisely in place under load while soaking up engine and road vibration so the wheel stays calm in the driver’s hands. When the bushes are in good nick, toe alignment stays stable, on‑centre feel is tidy, and road feedback is consistent through Aussie and Kiwi roads alike.

Because they’re rubber, heat, time, hydraulic fluid mist, and harsh bumps can harden, crack or soften them. Once they degrade, the rack can shift a fraction under load, which shows up as a steering clunk, vague on‑centre feel, tramlining, or uneven tyre wear. Left long enough, it can even accelerate inner tie‑rod wear.

As part of routine servicing on a 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer, it’s smart to visually check the steering-bushes annually or every 20,000 km. Look for perishing, splits, ovalised bores, or oil-soaked rubber. Have someone rock the wheel left–right while watching the rack—excess movement at the mounts means the bushes are tired.

• Common symptoms of worn bushes:
  • Clunk or knock over sharp bumps or when parking
  • Vague steering and wander at highway speeds
  • Pulling under acceleration or braking
  • Uneven or rapid inner tyre wear
  • Visible rack shift on the crossmember

Replacement is straightforward for a pro: support the rack, remove the mount bolts and brackets, swap bushes, then torque to spec. Replace bushes as a set, keep the hydraulic lines relaxed (no need to open the system if you don’t drop the rack far), and book a wheel alignment afterwards to lock in toe. OEM‑style rubber keeps NVH civil for daily use, quality polyurethane tightens steering feel for spirited driving but can add a touch more vibration—choose what suits the car’s use.

Most Lancers will see steering-bushes last well past 100,000 km, but rough roads or a power‑steering fluid leak can shorten that. While you’re there, it’s worth checking control‑arm and sway‑bar bushes too, noting they’re suspension items, not part of the steering rack mounts.

Cited technical references: Mitsubishi Motors Lancer Workshop Manual (Group 37 – Power Steering), Mitsubishi ASA/EPC parts catalogue for 2007 Lancer rack mounting bushes, Haynes Mitsubishi Lancer 2002–2011 repair manual.

Popular questions about 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer steering-bushes

Do 2007 Lancers actually have steering-bushes?

Yes. The 2007 Lancer uses a rack‑and‑pinion steering gear mounted to the front crossmember with rubber bushes. Both CH (early 2007) and CJ (late 2007 onward) variants are shown in factory manuals and EPC listings with rack mounting bushes.

Do I need a wheel alignment after replacing the steering-bushes?

It’s highly recommended. Even though you’re not altering tie‑rods, new bushes can change how the rack sits under load. A post‑repair alignment ensures toe is bang‑on and prevents premature tyre wear.

Rubber or polyurethane bushes—which is better for a Lancer?

For daily driving, quality rubber keeps noise and vibration down and matches factory feel. Polyurethane sharpens response and holds geometry better under hard cornering, which keen drivers like, but may introduce a little extra vibration in the cabin. Pick based on how the car’s used.