Parts for your 1986 Mitsubishi Pajero-Coil springs

1986 Mitsubishi Pajero coil springs — are they used?

The 1986 Mitsubishi Pajero does not use coil springs from factory. Technical references including the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Factory Service Manual (1982–1991, Group 33 – Suspension), the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue for 1986 VIN ranges, and Gregory’s Workshop Manual No. 508 (Mitsubishi Pajero 1983–1991) all show the first‑generation Pajero running double‑wishbone front suspension with torsion bars, and a live rear axle on semi‑elliptic leaf springs. Coil springs weren’t part of the 1986 setup, front or rear, they arrived on later generations (the coil‑sprung rear becoming a hallmark of the second‑gen V20 series launched in the early 1990s).

Why no coils on the 1986 model? Mitsubishi engineered the original Pajero for rugged touring and load‑lugging. Leaf springs at the rear provide excellent load capacity and durability, suiting towing and rough‑road work. Up front, torsion bars offer compact packaging, easy ride‑height adjustment, and strong control of wheel travel with the double‑wishbone layout. For the era and intended use, this combo was tough, simple, and easy to service in the bush.

• Rear leaf packs handle payload and towing with fewer components to fatigue off‑road.
• Front torsion bars allow straightforward ride‑height tuning and resist bottoming with accessories like bull bars or winches.
• The live rear axle and leafs are robust, widely supported for parts, and proven in harsh conditions.

Chasing “1986 Mitsubishi Pajero coil springs” usually means you’re after other suspension bits. For maintenance and servicing, focus on:

• Front: torsion bars, lower/upper control arm bushes, ball joints, and front shocks.
• Rear: leaf spring packs (inspect for sagging or cracked leaves), spring eye and shackle bushes, shackles, U‑bolts, and rear shocks.

Set ride height via the torsion bar adjusters, but don’t crank them without checking alignment and droop travel. Replace tired shocks to control bounce, and renew bushes if you feel vague steering, clunks over corrugations, or uneven tyre wear. When hauling or touring, consider quality leaf‑pack upgrades matched to the vehicle’s typical load. If you’re considering a coil‑spring conversion, understand it’s a custom job requiring fabrication (trailing arms, panhard rod, coil mounts), certification for road use in Australia and New Zealand, and usually costs more than a well‑sorted leaf and torsion‑bar refresh.

FAQs

Does a 1986 Mitsubishi Pajero have coil springs?
No. Factory suspension is torsion‑bar front and leaf‑spring rear. This is documented in the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Factory Service Manual (1982–1991), the Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue for 1986 models, and Gregory’s Workshop Manual No. 508.

Can a 1986 Pajero be converted to coil springs?
It’s possible with aftermarket fabrication (rear trailing arms, panhard, coil mounts, shock relocation), but it’s complex and typically needs certification to stay road‑legal in AU/NZ. Most owners achieve great results by rebuilding the leaf packs, fitting quality shocks, and setting torsion‑bar height correctly.

What should be serviced instead of coil springs on a 1986 Pajero?
Inspect and service the front torsion bars, control‑arm bushes, and ball joints, and the rear leaf packs, spring eye/shackle bushes, U‑bolts, and all four shocks. Check ride height, alignment, and tyre wear after any adjustments or part replacements.