Parts for your 2013 Honda Accord-Steering bushes

2013 Honda Accord steering bushes – are they actually a thing?

Short answer: steering bushes aren’t a separate, serviceable part on the 2013 Honda Accord. Honda’s factory service information for the 9th‑gen Accord (2013–2017) shows an electric power steering (EPS) rack that bolts solidly to the front subframe with no replaceable rack‑mount bushes. The Honda Electronic Parts Catalogue for the steering group lists the complete steering gearbox, inner and outer tie‑rods, boots and hardware, but no stand‑alone steering rack bushings. Honda’s service procedures for EPS concerns call for inspecting tie‑rods and, if the rack is worn or loose, replacing the entire steering gear rather than any bushes. That’s why “steering bushes” don’t appear as a normal maintenance item on this model.

Why didn’t Honda fit them? With EPS, the motor and control logic rely on a rigidly mounted rack for precise steering feel and assist control. Soft isolator bushes would add compliance and dull on‑centre feel. NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) is handled elsewhere – mainly via the subframe mounts, control arm bushes and the column’s coupler and bearings – so the rack itself is clamped firmly to the subframe.

So if someone’s chasing “steering bushes” for a 2013 Accord, what they usually need is one of the following:

• Inner (rack end) or outer tie‑rod ends – these wear and create play or knocking over bumps.
• Front lower control arm bushes – common source of front‑end shimmy or clunks under brakes.
• Stabiliser (sway) bar D‑bushes and links – cause creaks and rattles at low speed.
• Top strut mounts/bearings – can add notchiness or a groan when turning.

Service tips for keeping the steering sweet on this Accord:

1. At each service or every 10,000–15,000 km, check inner/outer tie‑rods for play and boot condition, replace any torn boots quickly to protect the rack.
2. Listen for clunks on rough roads, if present, inspect sway bar bushes/links and control arm bushes before suspecting the rack.
3. If on‑centre feel is vague or there’s free play, have a tech check EPS fault codes and rack end play, if the rack itself is worn, the fix is a replacement steering gear assembly.
4. After any steering or front suspension work, get a proper wheel alignment to protect tyres and keep it tracking straight.

Bottom line: the 2013 Accord isn’t fitted with separate steering rack bushes to replace. Keep an eye on tie‑rods and the usual front‑end bushes, and the EPS rack will generally do the distance without fuss.

Popular questions about 2013 Honda Accord steering bushes

Does a 2013 Honda Accord have steering rack bushes I can replace?
No. The EPS steering rack is rigidly bolted to the subframe and doesn’t use separate, replaceable rack‑mount bushes. If there’s play inside the rack, Honda’s service info specifies replacing the complete steering gear. Most “loose steering” complaints on these cars end up being worn inner or outer tie‑rods, or other front‑end bushes.

What should be checked if the steering clunks or feels vague?
Start with the easy wins: inner/outer tie‑rods, sway bar D‑bushes and links, and the lower control arm bushes. If those are sound, have a workshop check the EPS rack for end play and scan the EPS module. A worn rack is replaced as an assembly on this model.

Can I fit aftermarket polyurethane steering rack bushes to firm things up?
There isn’t a provision to add rack‑mount bushes on the 2013 Accord’s EPS setup. Aftermarket “rack bush” kits marketed for other generations won’t suit this chassis. Firming up the front end is better done with fresh control arm bushes, good tyres at the right pressures, and a quality alignment.