Parts for your 2015 Nissan Navara-Steering bushes

2015 Nissan Navara steering bushes — what they do and when to replace them

Steering bushes are absolutely relevant on the 2015 Nissan Navara (D23/NP300). The Nissan Factory Service Manual for D23 (ST – Steering) and Nissan’s Electronic Parts Catalogue show the steering rack mounted to the front crossmember with rubber insulators/bushes. Aftermarket catalogues from well-known brands like SuperPro and Nolathane also list rack-mount bush kits for 2015-on Navara D23, which further confirms fitment. So yes — this ute runs steering bushes, and they do an important job.

On the Navara, the steering bushes sit between the rack housing and the crossmember. They keep the rack located, soak up vibration and harshness, and stop the wheel feeling twitchy on rough roads. When they wear, the rack can shift slightly under load, which shows up as steering play, a clunk over corrugations, vague on-centre feel, or even accelerated tyre wear from toe changes under braking or cornering.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to have the bushes checked for cracking, compression set, oil swelling and movement under a pry-bar test. Heavy towing, bigger tyres and off-road work can speed up wear, so Navaras that earn their keep might need new bushes earlier.

Replacement is straightforward for a trained tech: the rack is supported, the old bushes are pressed out, and fresh OEM rubber or performance polyurethane bushes are fitted. Rubber keeps it factory-quiet, poly tightens steering feel and tends to last longer, with a small increase in NVH. Either way, torque specs from the Nissan manual should be followed and a wheel alignment done afterwards. If it’s an electric-assist rack variant, care is taken to keep the column joint aligned and the steering angle sensor happy.

• Common signs it’s time: clunk through the wheel, wandering at highway speeds, tramlining, or uneven front tyre wear.
• Service tip: inspect every 10,000–15,000 km, replace in sets, recheck alignment after installation.
• Good upgrade path: quality polyurethane bushes for tougher conditions, or fresh OEM for factory refinement.

Looked after properly, the Navara’s steering stays precise, confident and ready for the next trip across town or the next run up a gravel track.

FAQs

Do all 2015 Navaras have steering bushes?
Yes. The D23/NP300 uses a rack-and-pinion setup mounted to the crossmember via bushes. Variants may differ in assistance type (hydraulic vs electric), but the rack still uses isolating bushes. Checking by VIN against the Nissan EPC is the tidy way to confirm exact part numbers.

How long do steering bushes usually last on a Navara?
Anywhere from about 80,000 to 150,000 kilometres is typical. Vehicles on corrugated roads, carrying heavy loads, towing often or running larger tyres can see earlier wear. Regular inspections will catch cracking or movement before it affects tyres and handling.

Can the bushes be replaced without removing the steering rack?
On many D23s the bushes can be replaced with the rack still in the vehicle, though access is tight. The rack is supported, mounts are loosened, and the bushes are swapped one at a time. Always follow the factory procedure, secure the intermediate shaft, and book an alignment after the job.