Parts for your 2019 Toyota Hiace-Steering bushes

2019 Toyota HiAce steering bushes — what’s fitted and how to look after them

For the 2019 Toyota HiAce (H300), steering bushes are absolutely relevant. Toyota’s workshop literature for the H300 platform and the associated electronic parts catalogue detail a rack-and-pinion steering gear that’s mounted to the front subframe using rubber isolator bushes. Local aftermarket catalogues in Australia and New Zealand also list steering rack mount bush kits for 2019-on HiAce models, confirming their presence. Unlike older vans that used a recirculating-ball setup with an idler arm and idler bushes, the 2019 HiAce’s rack-and-pinion design does not use an idler arm at all — so no idler bushes — but it does rely on rack mounting bushes and column support bushes.

These bushes keep the rack properly located under load while damping vibration, road harshness, and drivetrain buzz before it reaches the steering wheel. By allowing just the right amount of compliance, they help maintain steering geometry and on-centre feel, reducing kickback over corrugations and potholes. In short, they’re small parts with a big say in how planted and quiet the HiAce feels.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to have the steering rack bushes visually checked for cracking, flattening, oil swelling, or looseness. Many technicians in AU/NZ will do this during a routine underbody inspection at 20,000 km intervals, or annually if the van sees heavy loads or rough roads. Any excessive steering play, clunks over speed humps, or a vague, wandering feel on the highway can point to tired bushes.

• Tell-tales include thuds over bumps, steering wheel shimmy, and uneven or accelerated tyre wear.
• Look for perished rubber, torn lips, or movement of the rack when the wheel is rocked left–right.

Replacement is straightforward for a qualified tech: the rack is supported, old bushes are pressed or pried out, new OEM or quality aftermarket items are installed, and the mount bolts are torqued to spec from the service data. A wheel alignment afterwards is strongly recommended, as fresh bushes can subtly change the rack’s resting position. For vans carrying constant weight or operating on coarse-chip backroads, some owners opt for polyurethane bushes for added location and longevity, others prefer OEM rubber for a quieter ride. Either way, keeping the steering bushes in top nick helps preserve crisp turn-in and keeps the HiAce tracking true, which is exactly what you want on long Kiwi or Aussie runs.

Popular questions about 2019 Toyota HiAce steering bushes

Do 2019 HiAce models have an idler arm or idler bushes?

No. The 2019 HiAce uses rack-and-pinion steering, so there’s no idler arm and no idler bushes. The relevant wear items are the steering rack mounting bushes and the steering column support bushes.

How often should the steering rack bushes be replaced?

There’s no fixed kilometre interval. Have them inspected each service, many last well past 100,000 km, but heavy loads, oil contamination, or rough roads can shorten their life. Replace when there’s play, cracking, or noise, then get an alignment.

Rubber or polyurethane bushes — which is better for a HiAce?

Rubber (OEM) keeps noise and vibration lowest and suits most fleet use. Polyurethane offers sharper steering feel and durability under load, at the cost of a touch more NVH. Choose based on how the van is used and ride comfort expectations.