Parts for your 2012 Holden Colorado-Steering bushes

2012 Holden Colorado steering bushes — what they do and when to replace them

Yes, the 2012 Holden Colorado (RG) does use steering bushes. The vehicle runs a hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering gear that’s mounted to the front crossmember with rubber insulators/bushes. This is documented in the Holden RG Colorado Workshop Manual (Steering — Rack and Pinion), the Isuzu D‑Max 2012–2016 workshop manual for the sister platform, and the GM Global EPC, which list the steering gear “insulators/mounts.” Aftermarket catalogues from Nolathane and SuperPro also list rack-mount bush kits specific to the 2012 Colorado, further confirming fitment.

On the Colorado, the steering rack bushes are there to hold the rack square and secure, while isolating vibration and road harshness from the cabin. They keep the rack located so toe settings stay consistent, which helps with straight-line stability and tyre life. Factory bushes are rubber for comfort, polyurethane upgrades are available for sharper steering feel and added durability on rough roads.

Hard outback kilometres, oil contamination, big tyres, or plenty of corrugations can all age the bushes. When they’re worn, the driver may notice a dull knock over bumps, a clunk when turning or braking, vague on-centre feel, or the rack visibly shifting when someone rocks the steering wheel with the engine off. Uneven tyre wear and shimmy through the wheel can also appear.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to:

• Inspect the rack mounts for cracks, perishing, or ovalised holes.
• Check for power steering fluid leaks that can soften rubber.
• Gently lever the rack housing to detect movement at the mounts.
• Confirm the clamp bolts are present and correctly tightened (torque as per the Holden manual).

There’s no fixed replacement interval, a quick check at each service works well, especially if the ute tows or sees gravel work. When replacing, support the rack so the hydraulic lines aren’t strained, mark bracket positions to help reassembly, and refit with the correct orientation sleeves and clamps. An alignment check afterwards is a good idea, particularly to re-centre the wheel and verify toe, even though the tie-rods aren’t disturbed if you only swap the mounts.

Choosing bushes comes down to use: OE-style rubber keeps NVH low for daily commuting, while polyurethane suits heavier loads, off-road tracks, and drivers chasing a tighter steering feel. Either way, healthy rack bushes make the RG Colorado steer cleaner and track straighter.

Popular questions about 2012 Holden Colorado steering bushes

Does a 2012 Holden Colorado actually have steering bushes?
It does. The RG uses a rack-and-pinion unit mounted with rubber bushes/insulators on the crossmember. These parts are listed in Holden/GM parts catalogues and covered in the steering section of the factory manual, and there are well-supported aftermarket replacements too.

How can someone tell the rack bushes are worn on a 2012 Colorado?
Common tells include a clunk on take-off, braking or when turning at low speed, vague steering on-centre, or a shimmy through the wheel on rough surfaces. With the engine off, a helper can rock the wheel while another person watches the rack—any noticeable rack movement at the mounts points to tired bushes.

Rubber or polyurethane bushes — what suits towing and off-road use?
Rubber keeps it quiet and comfy, ideal for mostly urban/highway driving. Polyurethane is firmer and resists deformation and oil better, which helps when towing, running heavier accessories, or spending time on corrugations. The trade-off can be a touch more road feel and noise.