Parts for your 2009 Toyota Blade-Steering bushes

2009 Toyota Blade steering-bushes: what they do and when to replace them

On the 2009 Toyota Blade (E150 platform, the upmarket sibling to the Auris/Corolla), steering-bushes are indeed used. Technical references that cover the Blade/Auris/Corolla E150—such as the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for AZE/GRE15# models, Toyota workshop manuals under “Steering – Rack and Pinion – Installation/Removal,” and reputable aftermarket catalogues for rack-mount bushings—show the rack-and-pinion assembly mounted to the front subframe with dedicated rubber bushes. While the Blade uses column-assist electric power steering (so there’s no hydraulic pump on the rack), the rack itself is isolated with steering rack mounting bushes that are serviceable parts.

Purpose-wise, these steering-bushes secure the rack while soaking up vibration and road harshness. They stop the rack sliding or twisting under load, keeping the wheel alignment true on-centre and during cornering and braking. When they wear, the steering can feel a bit vague, with a dull knock over bumps and a slight clunk on initial turn-in. Tyres can show odd wear if the rack shifts under load.

For owners and workshops, it’s a smart move to inspect the Blade’s rack bushes at regular services—say every 20,000 km or annually. Look for cracking, compression set, or oil swelling (from any engine or trans leaks). Because the Blade V6 variant is heavier over the nose, those bushes can cop extra work, so keep a closer eye on high-kilometre cars or those that see rough roads.

Replacement is straightforward workshop fare:

• Support the rack, remove the rack clamp brackets, mark bush orientation, and swap like-for-like.
• Choose OE-type rubber for factory NVH or high-quality polyurethane for a firmer feel (expect a touch more road feel with poly).
• Lightly lubricate bushes if specified by the manufacturer, and torque the brackets/fasteners to spec.
• Finish with a wheel alignment—any change in rack location can nudge toe settings.

Tell-tale signs it’s time include steering shimmy over corrugations, a single knock when flicking the wheel left-right at parking speeds, and a “loose” feeling just off centre. Don’t forget to rule out front control arm bushes and sway bar D-bushes, which can mimic similar noises. With fresh steering-bushes, the 2009 Toyota Blade’s steering regains that tidy, confident feel Aussie and Kiwi drivers expect on mixed city and open-road use.

Popular questions about 2009 Toyota Blade steering-bushes

Do all 2009 Toyota Blades have steering-bushes?
Yes. The E150 Blade uses rack-and-pinion steering mounted to the subframe via dedicated bushes. Even though it’s electric power steering at the column, the rack still relies on bushes to control movement and vibration.

What are the symptoms of worn steering-bushes on a Blade?
Common signs are a dull knock over small bumps, a clunk when nudging the wheel left-right at low speed, vague on-centre feel, and sometimes uneven tyre wear due to the rack shifting under load.

Do they need a wheel alignment after replacing the bushes?
Yes, a wheel alignment is recommended. Any small change in rack position or clamp torque can alter toe, so aligning it afterwards prevents tyre wear and keeps the steering tracking straight.