Parts for your 2009 Honda Civic-Steering bushes

2009 Honda Civic steering bushes – what they do and when to sort them

Based on Honda’s 2006–2011 Civic (8th‑gen) Service Manual steering gear section and Honda’s Electronic Parts Catalogue diagrams for the FD/FA platform, the 2009 Honda Civic uses rubber steering rack mounting bushes that locate and isolate the rack-and-pinion on the front subframe. Aftermarket catalogues from well-known bush makers in Australia and New Zealand (for example, SuperPro and Whiteline) also list rack-mount bush kits for this model range, confirming the part is fitted and serviceable.

On this Civic, the bushes cushion the steering rack, cutting down vibration and keeping the rack precisely centred as the wheels load up in corners and over bumps. When they age, the rubber can harden, crack, or deform, letting the rack shift under load. That’s when drivers start noticing a vague on-centre feel, a knock over sharp bumps, or the steering wheel wriggling a bit on corrugated roads.

As part of routine servicing, a quick check under the car is well worth it. With the vehicle safely raised, an assistant can rock the steering wheel whilst a tech watches the rack for any side-to-side movement at the mounts. Perished or oil-soaked rubber, visible gaps, or shiny witness marks on brackets are all red flags. Because the 2009 Civic uses electric power steering, there’s no fluid to leak, but it’s still smart to inspect for subframe corrosion and loose fasteners.

Replacement isn’t complicated for a workshop with the right gear: support the subframe, undo the rack brackets, swap in quality bushes, and torque everything to the Honda spec. A wheel alignment should follow, as any shift in the rack position can nudge toe settings. If there’s excessive internal rack play (for example, from a worn rack guide bush inside the housing), the complete rack may be the better fix, as that inner guide isn’t typically serviceable on its own.

For longevity and feel, quality rubber or polyurethane options are available locally. Poly can sharpen steering response on NZ backroads or Aussie B-roads, but may pass a touch more road texture into the cabin. Either way, inspect the bushes every 40,000–60,000 kilometres or when chasing clunks, uneven tyre wear, or steering wander.

• Common symptoms of tired bushes: clunk on turn-in or over potholes, vague on-centre feel, steering shimmy, and abnormal inner/outer tyre wear.
• Best practice: replace in pairs, recheck bracket torque after a short shakedown, and book an alignment.

Popular questions about 2009 Honda Civic steering bushes

Do 2009 Honda Civics actually have steering rack bushes?
Yes. The rack-and-pinion is mounted to the front subframe with rubber isolator bushes on this model. Honda’s service literature and parts diagrams show the rack mounts, and multiple aftermarket suppliers offer direct-fit bush kits for 2006–2011 Civics.

What are the tell-tale signs the bushes need replacing?
Look for a knock over sharp bumps, a twitchy or vague feel around centre, and uneven tyre wear. If someone turns the wheel while a tech watches the rack, any visible rack movement at the mounts usually points to worn bushes.

Can the bushes be replaced without changing the whole rack?
In most cases, yes. The external rack-mount bushes can be replaced on their own. If the issue is internal rack play (such as a worn internal rack guide), the complete steering rack may be required, as that internal component isn’t generally serviced separately.