Parts for your 2012 Toyota Avensis-Steering bushes

2012 Toyota Avensis steeringbushes: what they do and when to sort them

Yes, the 2012 Toyota Avensis (T27) uses steeringbushes. Toyota’s factory Repair Manual for the Avensis (Steering – EPS and Steering Gear) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue list rubber mounting bushes for the rack-and-pinion steering gear, and support bushings in the steering column. Even though most 2012 Avensis models run electric power steering (EPS), the rack is still rubber-mounted to the front crossmember, so steeringbushes are absolutely relevant on this model.

These bushings isolate vibration, keep the rack accurately located on the subframe, and help control noise, vibration and harshness. In simple terms, they’re the little bits of rubber that stop the steering rack from wriggling about while still letting the cabin stay quiet and comfy. When they age, compress, crack, or get oil-soaked, the rack can shift under load. That shows up as vague on-centre feel, a clunk on take-up, shimmy over corrugations, or the car tram-tracking more than it should.

As part of routine servicing, it’s smart to inspect the steeringbushes every 20,000–30,000 km or annually. Look for perished rubber, cracking, deformation, or metal-on-metal witness marks. A quick check that works: with the wheels on the ground, have a helper rock the steering wheel left-right while watching the rack mounts—any visible rack movement relative to the subframe is a red flag. Technicians also check free play at the column and intermediate shaft joints.

Replacement is straightforward for a workshop that knows Toyotas. Depending on build and access, the front crossmember may need to be loosened or slightly lowered to slip the new rack bushes in, expect roughly 1.5–3.0 hours of labour. Always torque fasteners at normal ride height, then carry out a wheel alignment. On EPS cars, perform the steering angle/zero point calibration after any steering work or battery disconnect. OE rubber bushes preserve factory NVH, while polyurethane upgrades can sharpen response but may add a touch more road feel and noise—fine for keen drivers, less ideal if the car does school runs on rough chipseal.

Technical references: Toyota Avensis (T27) Repair Manual – Steering (EPS System and Steering Gear Assembly), Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (Steering Gear & Link), and professional databases such as Autodata and Haynes confirm the presence and service procedure of these steering bushings on 2012 Avensis models.

• Common symptoms: clunks over bumps, wandering, vague steering, uneven tyre wear, rack shift on take-up.
• Service tips: inspect at each service, replace in pairs, align afterwards, calibrate EPS angle sensor.

Popular questions

Does a 2012 Toyota Avensis actually have steeringbushes?

It does. The T27 Avensis uses a rack-and-pinion setup with rubber rack mounting bushes and support bushings in the steering column. EPS doesn’t delete those parts—it simply replaces the hydraulic assist, while the rack is still isolated on bushes to control NVH and keep geometry stable.

What are the signs my Avensis steeringbushes need replacing?

Tell-tales include a dull clunk as steering loads up, vague on-centre feel, wander on the motorway, feathered or uneven front tyre wear, and visible rack movement when someone rocks the wheel. If the bushes look cracked, squashed, or oil-soaked, they’re due.

Can the rack bushes be changed without removing the steering rack?

Often, yes. Many workshops loosen or slightly lower the front crossmember to slide new bushes in. Access varies by engine and trim, so some jobs are quicker than others. Always finish with a wheel alignment and, on EPS cars, a steering angle/zero-point calibration.