Parts for your 2008 Nissan Serena-Steering bushes

2008 Nissan Serena steering bushes — fitment, purpose, and service tips

Technical sources for the C25-series Serena — including the Nissan Service Manual (ST: Steering) and the Nissan Electronic Parts Catalogue (FAST/EPC) — specify a rack‑and‑pinion steering gear mounted to the front crossmember using rubber insulators (rack mounting bushes), with additional support bushes in the steering column assembly. So steering bushes are absolutely fitted to the 2008 Nissan Serena.

On this model, steering bushes isolate vibration, keep the rack precisely located on the subframe, and help maintain consistent toe and on‑centre feel. They soak up road harshness on rough Aussie and Kiwi roads while stopping the rack from shuffling around under load. When they’re tired, owners will often notice a vague steering feel, the wheel nudging over bumps, or a dull clunk as the rack shifts against the crossmember.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to visually check the rack bushes for cracking, flattening, or oil contamination, and give the rack mounts a pry test for movement. A quick road test over speed humps and corrugations can reveal clunks or kickback that point to worn bushes. While assist type can vary by market, the rack mounting arrangement with insulators remains the same principle, so the checks apply either way.

Replacement is straightforward workshop work but can be fiddly for access. The rack is supported, the mounting brackets are removed, and the old insulators are swapped for new ones, ensuring the locating tabs and sleeves are seated properly. If the subframe needs to drop slightly for clearance, a professional hoist and correct support points are a must. After refit, a wheel alignment is recommended because even small shifts in rack position can tweak toe and cause tyre wear.

Owners can choose between OE‑style rubber bushes for factory comfort, or quality polyurethane for a tighter, more direct feel. Poly can add a touch more road texture in the cabin, but it resists deformation and oil better, making it a popular pick for vehicles that carry a load or see lots of stop‑start urban driving. Expect well‑maintained bushes to last many tens of thousands of kilometres, harsh roads, oil leaks, and big pothole impacts shorten their life.

• Common signs it’s time: clunks over bumps, vague on‑centre, tramlining, uneven tyre wear, or visible cracked/compressed rubber.
• Good practice: inspect every service, clean away oil that degrades rubber, check inner/outer tie rods and the column U‑joint at the same time, and book an alignment after bush replacement.

Popular questions about 2008 Nissan Serena steering bushes

Does the 2008 Nissan Serena use steering bushes?
Yes. The Nissan Service Manual for the C25 (ST: Steering) and the Nissan FAST/EPC parts listings show the steering rack mounted to the crossmember with rubber insulators (rack mounting bushes), plus support bushes in the column. They’re a serviceable wear item and worth inspecting regularly.

What are the symptoms of worn rack bushes on a Serena?
Typical giveaways are a dull clunk or knock over sharp bumps, vague on‑centre feel, steering kickback through the wheel, and sometimes tramlining. You may also see uneven front tyre wear if the rack can shift under load. A visual check often shows cracked, compressed, or oil‑soaked rubber.

Rubber or polyurethane — which bushes should be fitted?
OE‑style rubber keeps factory comfort and noise levels. Polyurethane gives a sharper, more direct feel and resists deformation and oil better, which can help on rough roads or with heavier loads. For a family van doing mixed city and highway kilometres, either is fine, choose rubber for refinement or poly for precision.