Parts for your 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero-Strut mounts

1997 Mitsubishi Pajero strut-mounts — are they used?

Based on technical references — including the Mitsubishi Pajero NH–NL Factory Service Manual (Front and Rear Suspension sections), the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue, and major shock absorber catalogues from KYB and Monroe — the 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero does not use MacPherson struts and therefore is not fitted with strut-mounts (strut top mounts/bearings). The front end is a double‑wishbone independent suspension with torsion bars and separate shock absorbers, the rear is a coil‑sprung live axle with stand‑alone dampers. No strut towers, no strut assemblies, and no strut-mounts feature in this design.

Why that matters: a strut-mount is only relevant where a MacPherson strut carries vehicle weight and guides wheel motion, with a top bearing that allows the strut to turn as the wheels steer. On the Pajero, the steering knuckle pivots on upper and lower ball joints, while the shock absorber is non‑structural and doesn’t rotate with steering. At the back, the dampers mount via simple eye or stud fittings. So the typical “strut top” component found in many passenger cars simply isn’t part of the Pajero’s hardware.

Owners searching for “strut-mounts” are often chasing knocks, squeaks, or vague steering. On this model, the common culprits are below — these are the parts to service or replace instead:

• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Front torsion bar anchors and crossmember bushes
• Shock absorber upper/lower bushes and rubbers (front and rear)
• Sway bar link bushes and D‑bushes
• Steering idler arm, pitman arm, and tie‑rod ends
• Rear trailing arm and panhard rod bushes (where fitted)

Workshop tip: a clunk over corrugations or speed humps is often tired shock bushes — they’re inexpensive and quick to sort. Wandering, tramlining, or feathered tyres usually point to worn control arm bushes or a loose idler arm. After suspension work, get a wheel alignment and verify ride height, torsion bar preload affects camber and caster on these trucks and can make a big difference to road manners.

At the parts counter, asking for “strut-mounts” for a 1997 Pajero will draw a blank. Ask instead for front shock mounting bushes, control arm bush kits, ball joints, or steering idler arm assemblies to get the right bits first go.

Popular questions about 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero strut-mounts

Does a 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero have strut-mounts?
No. The 1997 Pajero runs double‑wishbone IFS with torsion bars at the front and a coil‑sprung live axle at the rear, with separate shock absorbers. There are no MacPherson struts and therefore no strut-mounts.

What should be checked instead of strut-mounts if there’s a knock?
Check shock absorber bushes, sway bar links and D‑bushes, upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints, and the steering idler arm. These wear points commonly cause the noises people often attribute to “struts”.

Can universal strut-mounts be adapted to fit a Pajero?
No. The suspension design doesn’t use struts, so there’s nowhere to fit a strut-mount. Use the correct shock absorbers and replace the appropriate bushes and joints for a safe, OE‑equivalent repair.