Parts for your 1986 Suzuki Jimny-Strut mounts

Are strut-mounts used on the 1986 Suzuki Jimny?

No. Strut-mounts aren’t used on the 1986 Suzuki Jimny (SJ413/Sierra). Factory literature shows the Jimny of this era runs a ladder-frame chassis with solid (rigid) front and rear axles, semi-elliptic leaf springs, and separate telescopic shock absorbers. There’s no MacPherson strut up front or rear, so there’s no strut tower or strut top to mount. In other words, there’s nothing on the vehicle that would take a strut-mount in the first place.

This layout is detailed in the Suzuki SJ410/SJ413/Samurai factory service manuals (suspension section) and echoed in popular workshop references such as the Haynes Owners Workshop Manual for Suzuki SJ410 & SJ413 (1982–1988) and Gregory’s/Max Ellery manuals for the Suzuki Sierra (AU/NZ). They consistently specify rigid axles with leaf springs and separate shocks, not struts.

Why no strut-mounts? MacPherson struts combine the shock and spring into a single upright assembly, with a rubber/isolated mount at the top (the strut-mount) bolting into a strut tower. The 1986 Jimny’s old-school 4x4 hardware separates the jobs: the leaf spring carries the vehicle weight and locates the axle, while a stand-alone shock damps movement. The shocks bolt to brackets on the axle and chassis and use simple bushings, not a strut top mount.

What to service instead of strut-mounts on a 1986 Jimny:

• Front and rear shock absorber bushes and pins (top and bottom) — look for perished rubber, oil weep from the shock body, and knocking over corrugations.
• Leaf-spring eye bushes, shackle pins, and hanger brackets — wear here causes vague steering, squeaks, and wandering.
• U-bolts clamping the axle to the springs — recheck torque after off-road use or heavy loads.
• Bump stops and rebound clips — replace cracked or missing items to protect the springs.
• Steering knuckle/kingpin bearings and swivel hub seals — common sources of front-end play and shimmy.

Technical sources referenced: Suzuki SJ413/Samurai Factory Service Manual (Suspension section, mid-1980s editions), Haynes Owners Workshop Manual: Suzuki SJ410 & SJ413, 1982–1988, Gregory’s/Ellery’s Suzuki Sierra (1982–1998) Service & Repair Manuals for AU/NZ markets. These documents specify rigid axles with leaf springs and separate shocks, confirming no use of strut-mounts.

Popular questions about 1986 Suzuki Jimny strut-mounts

Does a 1986 Suzuki Jimny have strut-mounts?
No. The 1986 Jimny uses rigid axles with leaf springs and separate shock absorbers, so it has no MacPherson struts and therefore no strut-mounts. Any front-end clunks or knocks will be from shock bushes, leaf-spring hardware, or steering components rather than a strut top.

What parts should be checked instead of strut-mounts on a 1986 Jimny?
Check shock absorber upper and lower bushes, leaf-spring eye bushes and shackles, axle U-bolts, and steering knuckle/kingpin bearings. These wear points commonly cause noise, vibration, and poor tracking, especially after rough tracks or heavy loads.

Can struts be retrofitted to a 1986 Jimny?
Retrofitting MacPherson struts isn’t practical. The chassis and axle design don’t provide towers or geometry for struts. Upgrades typically stick with the existing layout: quality shocks, fresh bushes, and, if needed, improved leaf packs and steering damper for better ride and control.