Parts for your 2012 Holden Barina-Steering bushes

2012 Holden Barina steering-bushes: are they a thing?

Short answer: steering-bushes aren’t a service item on the 2012 Holden Barina (TM). The factory technical data for this model shows a column-mounted Electric Power Steering (EPS) setup and a rack-and-pinion bolted to the front subframe without separate, replaceable rack bushes. That’s how the steering was engineered from new, so there’s nothing labelled or sold as “steering-bushes” for this vehicle.

Technical references backing this up include GM/Holden GlobalTIS Service Information for Barina TM (2012) under “Electric Power Steering (EPS) – Description and Operation” and “Steering Gear Replacement”, which show the EPS motor on the steering column and the steering gear fixed to the subframe via bolts, with no serviceable rack mounting bushes listed. The Holden/GM Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for the TM Barina steering group lists the steering gear as an assembly, inner and outer tie-rod ends, intermediate shaft and column components, but no standalone steering-bushes. Workshop data products used in AU/NZ (e.g., Autodata/Infopro) follow the same parts breakdown.

Why it doesn’t use steering-bushes: many older or different steering designs (like recirculating-ball with an idler arm) used bushes, and some racks used separate rubber isolators you could swap out. The Barina TM’s column EPS and rack layout rely on bearings, universal joints and tie-rod ends instead. Where you will find bushes on this car is in the suspension, not the steering—think control arm bushes and stabiliser bar (sway bar) D-bushes.

If there’s play, knock or vagueness on a 2012 Barina, the usual suspects are:

• Outer or inner tie-rod ends
• Intermediate steering shaft joints
• Column EPS components (rare but possible)
• Lower control arm bushes and sway bar bushes (suspension-related)

So, if someone’s chasing “steering-bushes” for this model, they’ll likely be looking for suspension bushes or steering tie-rod/column parts instead. A proper check on a hoist with a pry bar and a wheel alignment read-out will pinpoint the right fix without replacing parts that don’t exist on this platform.

FAQs

Does a 2012 Holden Barina have steering-bushes?
Not as a separate service part. The TM Barina uses a column-mounted EPS and a rack that bolts to the subframe without replaceable rack bushes. Any looseness is usually from tie-rod ends, the intermediate shaft, or suspension bushes.

What should be checked instead of steering-bushes on a Barina TM?
Inspect outer and inner tie-rod ends, the intermediate shaft universal joints, and suspension bushes (lower control arms and sway bar D-bushes). Finish with a wheel alignment.

Why do I hear a knock in the steering on my Barina?
Common causes are worn tie-rod ends, play in the intermediate shaft, or tired control arm/sway bar bushes. Less commonly, there can be column EPS noise. A technician can isolate the source during a steering and suspension check.