Parts for your 2012 Ford Ranger-Steering bushes

2012 Ford Ranger steering bushes — are they actually a thing?

Short answer: steering bushes aren’t a service item on the 2012 Ford Ranger (PX, T6 platform). The steering gear on this ute is a rack-and-pinion unit that mounts solidly to the front crossmember with through-bolts and steel sleeves, not with separate, replaceable rack-mount rubber bushes. There’s no idler arm or centre link either, so you won’t find idler or pitman arm bushes like on older recirculating-ball setups.

This isn’t just hearsay. Ford’s Workshop Manual for the T6 Ranger (2011–2015), Steering sections 211-02/211-04, shows the rack bolting directly to the subframe without call-outs for serviceable rack-mount bushes. The Ford parts catalogue (Microcat/Global EPC, Steering Gear illustration) likewise lists the rack assembly and fasteners, but no separate “steering bush” kit. Aftermarket catalogues from bush specialists commonly list rack-mount bush kits for earlier PJ/PK Rangers (2006–2011) and BT-50s, but not for the PX1 (2011–2015), which aligns with the factory design.

Why go bush-less? Ford aimed for a precise, durable steering feel suitable for load-carrying and towing. NVH tuning on the PX platform relies on the front subframe isolation, lower control arm hydro-bushes, and a small amount of compliance in joints—not soft bushes under the rack itself. That keeps the wheel-to-road feedback consistent, especially on corrugations and with big tyres fitted.

If the steering feels vague, pulls, or clunks over bumps on a 2012 Ranger, the fix isn’t “new steering bushes”. The smart play is to inspect the usual wear points and setup items:

• Inner and outer tie-rod ends for play or split boots
• Lower control arm rear hydro-bushes and front bushes
• Upper control arm bushes and ball joints
• Intermediate steering shaft/unis for notchiness or free play
• Steering rack mounting bolt torque and any subframe movement
• Wheel alignment (caster/camber/toe) after suspension or tyre changes
• Tyre pressures and condition, uneven wear points to alignment or bush issues

Seeing a “steering rack bush kit” online? Double-check the listing. If it’s for PJ/PK or a different platform, it won’t suit a 2012 PX. On the PX1, excessive rack movement usually means loose hardware or internal rack wear—at which point you’re looking at repair or replacement of the rack assembly rather than pressing in bushes.

Popular questions about 2012 Ford Ranger steering bushes

Does a 2012 Ford Ranger have steering rack bushes?
Not as a separate, serviceable part. The PX rack mounts solidly to the front crossmember with bolts and sleeves. Ford’s Workshop Manual for the T6 platform doesn’t specify replaceable rack-mount bushes, and the Ford parts catalogue doesn’t list a bush kit for the rack.

What should be checked if the steering feels loose on a 2012 Ranger?
Start with inner/outer tie-rod ends, lower control arm hydro-bushes, upper control arm bushes and ball joints, and the intermediate shaft joints. Confirm the rack bolts are torqued correctly, set tyre pressures, and get a proper alignment. If there’s still free play, the rack itself may be worn.

Can polyurethane bushes be fitted to the steering rack on a PX1?
There isn’t a legitimate rack-bush upgrade for the 2012 PX1 because the rack isn’t bushed in the first place. Kits you see often apply to earlier PJ/PK models. On a PX, chasing steering feel is better done with fresh control arm bushes, quality tie-rods, and a spot-on alignment.