Parts for your 2011 Ford Falcon-Steering bushes

2011 Ford Falcon steering-bushes: what they do and when to replace them

Steering-bushes are absolutely relevant to the 2011 Ford Falcon (FG/FG MkII). Ford’s Workshop Manual (Section 211-02 Steering System – Rack and Pinion) specifies rack mounting insulators/bushes for the FG platform, and major suspension catalogues from Nolathane and SuperPro list “rack and pinion mount bushes” for BA–FG Falcon and Territory. That confirms the vehicle is fitted with steering-bushes from factory.

On the FG Falcon, the steering rack is secured to the front crossmember with bushes that keep the rack precisely located while soaking up vibration and road harshness. When they’re healthy, the car tracks straight, feels planted on-centre, and transmits just the right amount of road feel. As they wear or soften (especially if soaked by oil or power-steering fluid), the rack can shift slightly under load, which shows up as vague steering, a knock over bumps, or a twitch on acceleration and braking.

Typical signs a Falcon’s steering-bushes are due include:

• A dull clunk or thud felt through the column on bumps or when parking
• Wandering or tramlining at highway speeds
• Vague on-centre feel or delayed response to small inputs
• Uneven or feathered front tyre wear alongside other worn bushes

During routine servicing, they’re worth a look every 40,000–60,000 km, or sooner if the car does heavy towing, lots of corrugated roads, or has wider tyres. A tech will check for cracked, perished or oil-soaked rubber and any rack movement while an assistant rocks the wheel. Don’t forget: worn lower control arm bushes (common on Falcons) can mimic similar steering symptoms, so proper diagnosis matters.

Replacement is straightforward with the right gear: support the rack, remove the mounting bolts, press out the tired bushes, fit quality replacements, and torque everything to the Ford WSM specs. A wheel alignment afterwards is a smart move. OE-style rubber keeps things quiet and comfy, polyurethane options sharpen response and last longer but can add a touch of extra feel/NVH. Most workshops knock this over in about 1–2 hours. If the power-steering system has been leaking, fix that first so new bushes don’t soften prematurely.

Look after the steering-bushes and the FG rewards with a nicely weighted wheel, crisp turn-in, and fewer shakes through the cabin on rough Kiwi or Aussie roads.

Popular questions

Do 2011 Ford Falcons actually have steering-bushes?
Yes. The FG Falcon uses rack mounting bushes/insulators as detailed in the Ford Workshop Manual for the steering system, and they’re listed by major suspension brands for FG applications. They locate the steering rack and control noise and vibration.

How long do the steering-bushes last on an FG Falcon?
Anywhere from about 80,000 to 150,000 km is typical, but life varies with road conditions, fluid leaks, tyre size and loads. Regular inspections during servicing help catch wear before it turns into vague steering or knocks.

Will new steering-bushes fix brake shudder or steering shake?
They can help if rack movement is part of the problem, reducing knocks and wander. But Falcon shudder often also involves front control arm bushes and brake rotor condition. A proper check of bushes, ball joints and rotors is the best path to a tidy result.