Parts for your 2016 Nissan Navara-Steering bushes

2016 Nissan Navara (D23) — Are steering bushes a thing on this ute?

Short answer: steering bushes aren’t a separate, serviceable part on the 2016 Nissan Navara (D23/NP300). This isn’t guesswork. The Nissan Navara/Frontier D23 Service Manual (ST – Steering) and the Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue for D23 list the rack-and-pinion assembly, inner and outer tie-rods, intermediate shaft/uni joint, and column bearings, but no stand‑alone “steering bush” component. The rack mounts to the front crossmember via integrated insulators/collars as part of the rack assembly, not as removable bush kits.

That design choice means owners won’t find a traditional steering-rack mounting bush kit like you might on older models or other makes. Any isolation for noise and vibration is largely built into the rack assembly and the crossmember, plus the usual suspension bushes elsewhere. When wear shows up in the steering on a D23, it’s typically due to inner tie rods, outer tie rods, column uni-joints, or wheel/suspension components, rather than a replaceable “steering bush”.

What that means for servicing is simple: if there’s play, a clunk over corrugations, or the wheel won’t centre nicely, the checks should focus on known wear points rather than chasing a non-existent bush kit. It’s a tough ute, but big kilometres, towing and off-road work can accelerate wear in a few places.

• Inspect inner tie rods for axial play, replace if loose and reset toe.
• Check outer tie-rod ends, ball joints and lower control arm bushes, these commonly cause vague steering and tyre feathering.
• Look at sway-bar D-bushes and links, knocks over small bumps often live here.
• Check the steering column lower universal joint for stiffness or free play.
• Confirm rack mounting bolts and crossmember hardware are to spec torque.
• If hydraulic assist is fitted on your variant, check for leaks and boot condition, cracked rack boots let grit in and will chew out inner joints.

If the rack itself has excessive internal play, Nissan’s documentation points to rack replacement rather than pressing in separate bushes. That aligns with what the EPC shows for the D23 generation — no discrete “steering-bushes” listed.

Popular questions about 2016 Nissan Navara steering-bushes

Does a 2016 Navara have steering bushes I can replace?

No. On the D23, the steering rack mounts don’t use a separate, serviceable bush kit. Nissan’s D23 Service Manual (ST section) and the FAST parts catalogue list the rack assembly, tie rods and column parts, but not standalone steering rack bushes. If there’s play or noise, attention usually turns to tie rods, control arm bushes, sway-bar bushes, or the column uni-joint.

What should be checked first if the steering feels loose or clunky?

Start with inner and outer tie rods, then examine lower control arm bushes, sway-bar D-bushes and links, and the steering column lower uni-joint. Also verify wheel alignment and tyre condition. If the rack itself has internal wear, replacement of the rack assembly is the documented fix.

Can I fit aftermarket polyurethane steering rack bushes to a D23?

Not typically. Many aftermarket “steering rack bush” kits you’ll see are for earlier Navara models (like D22/D40) or different platforms. The D23’s rack doesn’t use a separate bush that can be swapped for poly, attempting to adapt parts can create alignment and NVH issues. It’s better to repair the correct wear points or replace the rack if needed.