Parts for your 2018 Toyota Vitz|yaris-Steering bushes

2018 Toyota Vitz/Yaris steering bushes: what they do and when to replace them

Yes, steering bushes are used on the 2018 Toyota Vitz/Yaris (XP130 series). Toyota’s workshop literature for the 2017–2019 Vitz/Yaris with electric power steering (EPS) shows a rack‑and‑pinion assembly mounted to the front crossmember with rubber isolator bushes and brackets. Toyota’s electronic parts catalogue for the same models also lists the rack mounting bushes/cushions as serviceable items. So “steering bushes” are absolutely relevant on this car.

On this Vitz/Yaris, the steering bushes sit between the steering rack housing and the subframe. Their job is to locate the rack accurately while soaking up vibration and road shock. Good bushes help keep the steering feel tight, reduce kickback through the wheel, and cut noise and harshness in the cabin—handy on corrugated or patchy Aussie and Kiwi roads.

They’re not a scheduled replacement item, but they do age. Heat, oil contamination and big pothole hits can crack or soften the rubber. When that happens the rack can shift slightly under load, which the driver feels as looseness or clunks.

• Common signs they’re tired:
  • Clunk or knock over bumps or when rocking the wheel at parking speeds
  • Vague on‑centre feel or tramlining on the motorway
  • Steering wheel kick or drift under braking
  • Uneven or accelerated front tyre wear

During routine servicing, a tech will normally check the rack mounts with a pry bar while a mate rocks the wheel. If there’s visible rack movement or the rubber is perished, replacement is the go. It’s a straightforward job for a workshop: support the rack, remove the brackets, swap the bushes, and torque the hardware with the vehicle at normal ride height. A wheel alignment is recommended afterwards, because any change in rack position can nudge toe settings. If the steering wheel ends up off‑centre, a quick steering angle sensor zero‑point calibration with a scan tool sorts it.

Owners can choose genuine rubber bushes for factory NVH, or quality polyurethane for a slightly firmer, sharper feel. If fitting poly, a silicone‑based grease on the bush OD is used during install—avoid petroleum grease on rubber. It’s smart to inspect inner/outer tie‑rod ends and lower control arm bushes at the same time, they tend to wear in similar mileage bands. In local conditions, having the bushes checked every 40,000–60,000 km, or any time steering feel changes, keeps the little Toyota pointing true.

• Does the 2018 Toyota Vitz/Yaris have steering bushes?
  Yes. The XP130 Vitz/Yaris uses rubber rack‑mount bushes between the steering rack and the front subframe. This is documented in Toyota’s steering gear and linkage service information and reflected in the parts catalogue listings for rack mounting cushions.
• What are the symptoms of worn steering bushes on a 2018 Vitz/Yaris?
  Expect a dull clunk over bumps, some free play or wander on the motorway, and occasionally uneven front tyre wear. A technician can confirm by watching for rack movement while the steering is rocked—any shift at the mounts points to tired bushes.
• After replacing steering bushes, is an alignment or EPS calibration needed?
  A wheel alignment is recommended to tidy up toe and centre the wheel. If the wheel sits off‑centre afterwards, most workshops will run a quick steering angle sensor zero‑point calibration with a scan tool to keep the EPS happy.