Parts for your 2023 Toyota Camry-Steering bushes

2023 Toyota Camry steering bushes — what they do and when to replace them

Based on the Toyota Camry (AXVA70/GSV70) Repair Manual for the Electric Power Steering system and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue, the 2023 Camry uses a rack-and-pinion EPS unit mounted to the front subframe with rubber insulators (commonly called steering bushes). These bushes isolate vibration and locate the steering gear, so steering bushes are absolutely relevant to this model.

In the 2023 Camry, the steering bushes sit between the steering rack housing and the subframe brackets. Their job is simple but crucial: keep the rack firmly located so the wheel input is translated cleanly to the road wheels, while soaking up harshness so the cabin stays quiet. Because the rack is electric-assisted and more sensitive to movement, healthy bushes help keep assistance smooth and steering feel consistent.

Over time, rubber bushes can compress, crack or oil-soak, which lets the rack shift slightly under load. That’s when owners start noticing clunks over sharp bumps, a vague on-centre feel, or a little kickback through the wheel on rough roads. Left too long, that movement can affect alignment stability and contribute to uneven tyre wear.

Steering bushes aren’t a scheduled replacement item in Toyota’s service plan, but they should be inspected whenever the front end is up for routine work — think every 12 months or 20,000 kilometres, or sooner if you’re driving on coarse chip or rough rural roads. A torch and pry check for rack movement, splits in the rubber, or perishing is usually enough to make the call.

• Replace the bushes if there’s visible cracking, excessive softness, or the rack can be shifted by hand with the brackets loosened.
• Use quality OEM-spec rubber insulators, firmer polyurethane can sharpen steering but may add noise on TNGA-K cars like Camry.
• Torque the brackets to spec with the vehicle at normal ride height, then carry out a wheel alignment.
• If corrosion or seized hardware is present, replace the bolts/brackets rather than reusing them.

Many Camry steering bushes will run happily past 100,000–200,000 kilometres, but city kerb strikes, harsh potholes, and leaked engine oil can shorten their life. When replaced correctly, drivers will notice a tighter, quieter front end and more predictable turn-in. If there’s still play after new bushes, have a technician check inner/outer tie rods and the intermediate shaft, as wear can overlap.

Technical note for keen owners: some EPS racks integrate sleeves or keyed profiles in the insulators. That means orientation matters — line up any locating tabs per the repair manual before final torque.

Popular questions about 2023 Toyota Camry steering bushes

Do all 2023 Camry models have steering bushes, even with electric power steering?
Yes. The EPS rack still mounts to the subframe via rubber insulators/bushes. They control rack movement and keep noise and vibration down. Different engines or trims may use slightly different insulator part numbers, but the function is the same across the range.

How can someone tell if their Camry’s steering bushes are worn?
Listen and feel for a dull knock over speed humps, a wandering feel on the motorway, or slight rack shift when braking over bumps. A workshop can confirm by inspecting the insulators for cracking or compression and checking for rack movement with the brackets loosened.

Should they go OEM rubber or polyurethane for replacement?
For daily driving in Australia and New Zealand, OEM-style rubber is usually the sweet spot — it keeps NVH low and suits the EPS calibration. Polyurethane can add precision but may introduce extra road noise on coarse-chip surfaces.