Parts for your 2013 Holden Captiva 5-Steering bushes

2013 Holden Captiva 5 steering bushes — are they a thing?

Short answer: steering bushes aren’t a separate, serviceable part on the 2013 Holden Captiva 5 (CG Series II). Technical references including GM Service Information/GlobalTIS for CG Captiva 5, the Holden/GM Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), and equivalent Chevrolet Captiva Sport/Opel Antara workshop diagrams show a column‑assist electric power steering (EPS) rack‑and‑pinion with no replaceable “steering rack bushes” or idler/pitman arm bushes. The steering gear is bolted to the front subframe, and any isolation is built into the assembly or mounting hardware and is not listed as individual bushes. Where some 4x4s or older recirculating-ball setups use idler arm bushes, the Captiva 5 simply doesn’t.

That’s why you won’t find a genuine or catalogued aftermarket “steering bush” kit for this model. If there’s a clunk, wander, or vague feel, the usual suspects are different parts:

• Front lower control arm bushes (rear/hydraulic bush and front bush)
• Stabiliser (sway) bar D-bushes and links
• Inner/outer tie rod ends and the rack boots
• Strut top mounts/bearings

Workshop guidance from the GM SI notes the steering gear is serviced as an assembly if its mounts or internal bushings are worn, there’s no separate rack-mount bush listing in the EPC. The steering column also has internal bush/needle support that’s part of the column assembly, again not serviced on its own.

For servicing on a Captiva 5 with steering play or noise, a mechanic will typically:

1. Check tyre pressures and wear patterns, then perform a thorough front-end inspection on a hoist.
2. Test tie rod ends for free play and inspect rack boots for splits or grease contamination.
3. Inspect control arm bushes for cracking, separation, or oil-soaked deterioration.
4. Check sway bar D-bushes for ovaling and links for joint slop.
5. Confirm EPS fault codes or column/rack noise before condemning the steering gear.

If anything’s worn, replace the actual culprit (e.g., control arm bushes or tie rod ends) and finish with a wheel alignment. That restores steering feel without chasing a “steering bush” that doesn’t exist on this model. It’s a tidy, Kiwi/Aussie‑sensible approach that saves time and dosh.

Popular questions about 2013 Holden Captiva 5 steering bushes

Does a 2013 Captiva 5 have steering rack bushes I can replace?
No. Per GM Service Information and the Holden EPC, the steering gear mounts aren’t sold as separate bushes. The rack is serviced as a complete unit. If there’s play or noise, look to tie rod ends, control arm bushes, or sway bar bushes first.

What causes a clunk in the front that sounds like steering bushes?
On a Captiva 5 it’s commonly worn lower control arm rear bushes, sloppy sway bar links/D-bushes, or tired strut mounts. Less often, it’s inner or outer tie rod ends. An inspection on a hoist will pinpoint it quickly.

Will a WOF/rego fail if my ‘steering bushes’ are worn?
The inspector won’t note “steering bushes” on a Captiva 5, but they will fail the vehicle for any steering free play, damaged rack boots, or worn suspension bushes affecting steering control. Fix the actual worn items and you’re good.