NOLATHANE Steering Bushings for 2004 Subaru Outback Base

Nolathane steering bushings hold the parts of your steering system firmly in place, so every turn of the wheel goes straight to the tires. Most of the range is steering rack bushings, also called rack and pinion bushings, which mount the rack to your Subaru Outback. The range also covers idler arm, power steering arm, and steering coupling positions.

When steering bushings wear, the rack or linkage can move before the wheels do. That shows up as play, clunks, and a vague feel on center. Each listing shows the position, steering system type, and vehicles each kit fits.

How Steering Bushings Locate the Subaru Outback Rack

On a rack and pinion system, the steering rack is a long housing bolted across the front of your Subaru Outback, usually to the subframe or crossmember. Turning the wheel moves a toothed bar inside the rack from side to side, pushing and pulling the tie rods that steer the front wheels.

For that to work precisely, the rack housing itself must stay still. Every time you turn, the tie rods push back against the rack with the same force you?re applying to the tires. The steering rack bushings sit in the rack?s mounting points and hold it in position against that load.

They also isolate vibration. Road shock coming up through the tires and tie rods is absorbed at the mounts, rather than passing straight into the subframe and through the steering wheel.

Subaru Outback Steering Bushing Positions

Steering bushings come in several types, depending on the steering system and where the bushing sits.

Rack and Pinion Mount Bushings

These are the most common steering bushings. They fit the mounting points on the steering rack, on power and manual racks, in FWD, RWD, and 4WD vehicles.

Bump Steer Correction Rack Bushings

These bushings change the rack?s mounting height to correct steering geometry on lowered vehicles. They?re covered in more detail below.

Idler Arm Bushings

Vehicles with a recirculating ball steering box use a linkage instead of a rack. The idler arm supports one end of that linkage, and the idler arm bushing lets it pivot smoothly while holding the linkage at the correct height.

Power Steering Arm Bushings

On some steering systems, a steering arm bushing supports the arm that transfers movement from the steering box or power steering unit into the linkage.

Steering Coupling (Rag Joint) Bushings

The rag joint, or flexible coupling, sits on the intermediate shaft between the steering column and the rack or box. Its bushings absorb vibration and allow a small amount of flex between the two shafts.

Signs of Worn Steering Bushings on Your Subaru Outback

Steering bushing wear usually builds gradually. Watch for:

• Clunks when turning or driving over bumps
• Free play on center, where the wheel moves before the car responds
• Shimmy or vibration through the steering wheel
• Steering that feels heavier turning one way than the other
• Wander at highway speeds
• Toe settings that won?t stay within specification after an alignment
• A rack that visibly shifts in its mounts when someone rocks the steering wheel

That last check is one of the easiest. With the engine off and the wheels on the ground, have someone rock the wheel back and forth while you watch the rack mounts. Any visible movement of the housing means the bushings are worn.

Why Worn Steering Bushings Shouldn?t Be Ignored

Worn steering bushings do more than make the steering feel loose. When the rack can move in its mounts, your Subaru Outback responds later to every input, because the rack shifts before the wheels turn.

That movement also puts extra load on other parts. The tie rods, tie rod ends, and the rack itself take more shock and more wear. Toe changes as the rack moves, so the tires scrub and wear unevenly.

Most importantly, delayed and less precise steering means less control in an emergency maneuver, such as swerving to avoid an obstacle. Steering is safety-critical, so worn bushings should be replaced rather than tolerated.

Correcting Bump Steer on a Lowered Subaru Outback

When a vehicle is lowered, the suspension arms sit at different angles than the factory designed. The tie rods travel through a different arc as the suspension moves, while the rack stays at its original height. The result is bump steer, where the wheels toe in or out on their own as the suspension compresses and rebounds.

You feel bump steer as the car darting or twitching over bumps, especially mid-corner. Bump steer correction rack bushings change the rack?s mounting height to bring the tie rod angles closer to their intended arc. That reduces toe change over bumps and restores steadier steering. Each listing shows the applications the kit suits.

Rubber and Polyurethane Steering Bushings for the Subaru Outback

Factory rubber steering bushings are soft, which keeps road vibration out of the steering wheel. The downside is that rubber flexes under steering load, and it degrades when exposed to oil, power steering fluid, and engine heat. Once it softens or splits, the rack starts to move.

Polyurethane steering bushings hold the rack firmly in position. They resist oil and grease, so a small power steering leak won?t break them down. The hardness, or durometer, is chosen to locate the rack precisely while still absorbing some vibration.

The trade-off is slightly more steering feedback. You?ll feel a little more of the road through the wheel, which many drivers find makes the steering more connected and responsive.

Choosing Steering Bushings for Your Subaru Outback

Matching the right steering bushings comes down to a few checks. Each listing shows the system type, drivetrain, and vehicles it fits.

Steering System Type

Check whether your Subaru Outback uses rack and pinion steering or a recirculating ball steering box. They use different bushings at different positions.

Drivetrain Configuration

FWD, RWD, and 4WD versions of the same vehicle often mount the rack differently. Confirm your drivetrain before ordering.

Vehicle-Specific Kits and Single Sized Bushings

Vehicle-specific kits are matched to a particular steering system. Single sized bushings are chosen by dimension, which suits custom or hard-to-find applications.

Replacing Steering Bushings on Your Subaru Outback

Steering bushings are safety-critical, so qualified fitting is strongly recommended. The general process looks like this:

• Support the vehicle safely on stands
• Unbolt the rack mounts, separating the intermediate shaft where needed for access
• Remove the old bushings and fit the new ones, pressing them in where required
• Refit the rack and tighten the mounting bolts to specification, using new hardware where specified
• Have a wheel alignment carried out, because toe will change
• Check the torque again after the first drive

Subaru Outback Steering Bushing Limitations and Trade-Offs

Steering bushings fix mounting play, but they can?t solve every steering problem:

• New bushings can?t fix internal rack wear, a leaking rack, or a rack worn in the center
• They can?t fix worn tie rods, tie rod ends, or ball joints
• Some racks have bushings built into the housing, which can?t be serviced separately
• Polyurethane passes slightly more road feel through the steering wheel
• The bump steer correction kit only suits the applications listed

Compliance and Insurance

Make sure your Subaru Outback meets the safety inspection requirements of the state where it?s registered, and let your insurance company know about any modifications.

Warranty and Support

Nolathane steering bushings carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, for the original vehicle. If you?re not sure which bushings suit your steering system, our local support team can help.

Shop Steering Bushings for Your Subaru Outback

Steering bushings are listed in our polyurethane bushings selection, and split tie rod end boots can be replaced with Nolathane dust covers.

Find the steering bushings for your Subaru Outback and order online with fast shipping. Every part is covered by our fitment guarantee, and single sized bushings are guaranteed to match the dimensions shown in the listing.