I'll agree that stiff TC rod bushings add to ride harshness, but it's more to do with the fact that they limit vertical movement (adding to spring rate). This effect is exacerbated as TC bushings get stiffer. However, I disagree that all cars are designed to have the wheel move backwards much in bump. If this were true, all cars would have terrible bump-steer as rearward movement of a steered wheel leads to an effective change in tie-rod length. It is true, and I agree that passenger cars have some "compliance" built into them and if that's the give you speak of then I'll alter your analogy a bit. It is akin to catching a baseball with a stiff arm, with a glove on. If the glove has "give" or "compliance", then it will deflect more when catching that ball. When using a stiffer glove, you will "feel" the ball more, since there is less deflection in the glove (less force absorbed at impact). Maybe I'm just rephrasing what you meant, but I just wanted to be more clear on what I wanted to convey.