Parts for your 2017 Nissan Pathfinder-Steering bushes

2017 Nissan Pathfinder steering-bushes — are they even a thing?

Short answer: steering-bushes aren’t a service item on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder (R52). Technical documentation shows the vehicle uses an electric power–assisted rack-and-pinion (EPS) steering gear that bolts directly to the front subframe without separate, replaceable rack-mount bushes. The steering gear and its control module are serviced as a complete assembly. This is documented in the Nissan Pathfinder 2017 Model Year Service Manual (R52), ST – Steering System (Steering gear and linkage), and reflected in the Nissan electronic parts catalogue for R52, which lists the EPS rack assembly and hardware but no independent rack-mount insulators/bushes. Trade data platforms (e.g., workshop information aggregators) mirror this—no standalone steering rack bushes are catalogued for this model year.

Why no steering-bushes? With EPS, Nissan engineered the rack for direct, rigid mounting to maintain steering precision, torque feedback accuracy and to keep the electric assist calibration consistent across vehicles. Traditional soft rack bushes can introduce compliance and NVH variation, modern platforms handle noise and vibration through the subframe design, column isolators and suspension bushes instead. So if someone’s hunting for “2017-nissan-pathfinder steering-bushes”, they’ll come up empty because the part simply isn’t used on this rack.

If there’s play, knock, or vagueness on a 2017 Pathfinder, the usual suspects are elsewhere:

• Outer and inner tie rod ends (wear, looseness)
• Front lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Stabiliser (sway) bar bushes and links
• Strut top mounts/bearings and front wheel bearings
• EPS rack boots (tears), subframe fasteners (torque), and column universal joint (stiffness)

Good practice for Aussie and Kiwi owners: have the steering and front-end checked at each service or every 10,000–15,000 km. Keep tyres matched and correctly inflated, rotate regularly, and get a wheel alignment after any suspension work or curb hit. If the EPS warning lamp pops up, scan for codes before replacing parts—on this model, the rack, motor and ECU are integrated, so correct diagnosis matters. If the rack itself is faulty, it’s typically replaced as a complete unit rather than “re-bushed”.

FAQs

Does the 2017 Pathfinder have replaceable steering rack bushes?
Not on the R52. The EPS rack mounts directly to the subframe and is serviced as an assembly. No separate rack-mount bushes are listed in the Nissan parts catalogue for this model year.

What’s causing a clunk when turning if it’s not steering-bushes?
Commonly worn outer tie rod ends, sway bar links/bushes, or lower control arm bushes. Also check strut top mounts and ensure the subframe bolts are torqued correctly. A technician can pinpoint it with a lever test on a hoist.

How often should the steering be inspected?
At every routine service. Ask for a front-end check, tie rod play test, boot inspection and an alignment if there’s uneven tyre wear or a pull. Scan the EPS if the steering light appears.