Parts for your 2012 Toyota Avensis-Steering bushes

2012 Toyota Avensis steering bushes — are they actually used?

Short answer: no, not as a separate, serviceable part. On the 2012 Toyota Avensis (T27 series), the electric power steering (EPS) rack is rigidly bolted to the front crossmember without standalone rubber “steering bushes” that you can replace on their own. This comes straight from technical documentation that shows the rack fixed to the subframe using metal brackets, bolts and nuts, with no listing for rack mounting cushions/bushes as a service item.

• Toyota Avensis (T27) Repair Manual, Steering – Steering Gear – Removal/Installation: the rack mounts directly to the crossmember, no rack mounting bush components are specified for service.
• Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (T27 Avensis: ZRT27#, ADT27#, 2009–2015): the steering gear sub‑assembly and fixings are listed, but no separate steering rack bushes.
• Professional data (workshop/diagnostic systems for T27): steering gear mountings are shown as bolts/brackets with no bush replacement interval.

Why no steering bushes? With EPS, Toyota engineers chase stiffness for sharper on‑centre feel and better assistance calibration. By hard‑mounting the rack, they reduce flex and lag that rubber bushes can introduce. NVH is handled elsewhere — through tuned subframe, control arm and column isolation, rather than squishy rack mounts.

• Improved precision: a solidly mounted rack keeps toe changes tight under load.
• Consistent EPS control: less compliance means the motor’s assistance maps behave predictably.
• Lower parts complexity: fewer wear points at the rack mount itself.

What to service instead? If an Avensis driver reports clunks, vibration, wander or free play, the usual suspects are the inner/outer tie rod ends, lower control arm bushes (especially rear hydra-bushes), stabiliser links/bushes, and the intermediate steering shaft joints. A tired wheel alignment or uneven tyre wear can also mimic steering issues. Any genuine play inside the rack on this model generally means rack replacement rather than a bush swap. When refitting or checking the rack, ensure correct torque on crossmember fasteners and always finish with a proper wheel alignment.

While some universal or aftermarket polyurethane “steering rack bush” kits exist for other Toyotas, they’re not a match for the 2012 Avensis T27’s factory design. Sticking with the OE mounting arrangement maintains steering feel and avoids unwanted NVH.

Popular questions about 2012 Toyota Avensis steering bushes

Does a 2012 Avensis have replaceable steering rack bushes?
No. The T27 Avensis uses an electric rack that’s hard‑mounted to the front crossmember. Toyota doesn’t list separate rack mounting bushes for this model, and the workshop procedure shows direct bolting without serviceable cushions. If there’s play or knocking at the rack itself, the fix is typically rack repair or replacement, not bush replacement.

What parts should be checked if the steering feels loose on a 2012 Avensis?
Start with inner and outer tie rod ends, then look at lower control arm bushes, stabiliser links/bushes, and the intermediate steering shaft joints. Also check front wheel bearings, tyre condition/pressures and alignment. Those are the common wear items that affect steering feel on this model.

Can aftermarket steering bushes be fitted to improve feel?
It’s not recommended on the 2012 Avensis. The rack is designed to be rigidly mounted, and adding non‑OE bushings can introduce unwanted compliance or NVH. Keeping the original mounting layout and ensuring the rest of the front end is tight will give the best result.