Parts for your 2018 Nissan Serena-Steering bushes

2018 Nissan Serena steering bushes — are they even a thing?

Short answer: steering bushes aren’t a relevant or separate service item on the 2018 Nissan Serena (C27). Technical references including the Nissan C27 Serena Service Manual (ST – Steering) and the Nissan electronic parts catalogue for the C27 show the Serena uses a rack‑assist electric power steering (EPS) gear that bolts to the front crossmember without separate, replaceable “steering rack bushes”. Instead, the steering gear is a rigid, precision-mounted unit with the EPS motor and control module integrated into the rack assembly.

Why the change from the old-school rubber bushes? With EPS, Nissan focuses on accuracy and consistency of steering feel and torque sensor readings. Rigid mounting cuts play and improves on‑centre feel, while NVH is handled by the subframe and body isolation rather than soft bushes at the rack. Any “bush”-type compliance in the steering is handled inside the steering column bearings and the intermediate shaft joints, which aren’t the same as the traditional, serviceable rack bushes some earlier hydraulic systems used.

That’s why terms like “steering bushes” often cause confusion on a C27. People usually mean one of the following, which can mimic worn steering bushes:

• Inner and outer tie rod ends (ball joints) with play
• Intermediate steering shaft universal joints/splines with notchiness
• Front lower control arm bushes and sway bar D‑bushes (suspension, not steering)
• Loose subframe bolts or worn strut top mounts

For a 2018 Serena showing clunks, vague steering, tramlining or uneven tyre wear, a proper inspection should target those items first. Because there are no separate steering bushes to replace, workshops will typically check tie rod ends, column/shaft play, and front-end bushes, then road test and align. If the EPS rack itself has internal play or fault codes, the fix is generally repair/replacement of the complete steering gear rather than pressing in bushes.

Good servicing habits for a C27 Serena’s steering include: keeping tyres correctly inflated and matched, scheduling wheel alignments after suspension work or curb hits, inspecting tie rods and front control arm bushes every 20,000–30,000 km, and updating EPS software if Nissan releases calibrations for specific concerns. That approach keeps the Serena tracking straight and quiet without chasing a part the vehicle doesn’t actually have.

• Does the 2018 Nissan Serena have steering bushes?
  No. The C27 Serena uses a rack‑assist electric power steering assembly that mounts rigidly to the subframe, with no separate, serviceable rack mounting bushes. This layout is confirmed by the Nissan C27 Service Manual (ST – Steering) and the C27 parts catalogue, which list the steering gear as an integrated unit rather than a rack-with-bush kit.
• What feels like worn steering bushes on a Serena?
  Common culprits are inner/outer tie rod ends, intermediate shaft universal joints, and front suspension bushes (control arms and sway bar). Any play or binding there can cause clunks, vagueness, or a pull that people often describe as “bush” trouble.
• What should be serviced instead?
  Ask the tech to check: tie rod ends, the steering column and intermediate shaft for free movement, front control arm bushes, sway bar D‑bushes and links, subframe torque, strut tops, and then carry out a wheel alignment. If the EPS rack shows internal play or faults, it’s typically repaired or replaced as a complete assembly.