Parts for your 1998 Daihatsu Gran move-Struts

1998 Daihatsu Gran Move struts: what’s fitted and how to look after them

Referencing the Daihatsu Pyzar/Gran Move factory Service Manual (G301/G303 series), widely used garage data such as Autodata, and Australian/NZ model specification guides, the 1998 Daihatsu Gran Move uses MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam rear axle with separate shock absorbers. That means “struts” are relevant to the front suspension only on this model.

On the Gran Move, the front MacPherson struts do double duty: they control the spring and damping, and they’re also a structural guide for the front hub, helping keep camber and caster steady as the car corners, brakes and copes with bumps. That’s why good struts are such a big deal for this tidy little MPV’s steering feel, braking stability and overall ride comfort. When the front struts are healthy, the Gran Move tracks true, pulls up straight, and treats passengers to the sort of compliant ride that made it popular around Aussie and Kiwi towns.

Because struts carry load and manage wheel alignment angles, wear tends to show up as longer stopping distances, floaty or bouncy behaviour on undulations, vague steering, or outer-edge tyre wear. Leaking strut housings, split dust boots and clunky top mounts are common age-related finds on these cars now. Sensible servicing treats the struts as condition-based items: inspected at every service, and typically replaced somewhere around 120,000–180,000 km depending on roads and loads. Many Gran Moves are now well past that, so a freshen-up can be a real transformation.

• Always replace front struts in pairs, and include new upper mounts/bearings, bump stops and dust boots.
• Check sway-bar links and lower control arm bushes at the same time, tired links can mimic strut knock.
• After any strut work, a proper wheel alignment is a must, camber and toe can shift when the strut-to-knuckle joint is disturbed.
• If assembling inserts and springs, use a quality spring compressor and avoid gripping the strut shaft with tools that can score it.

Quality aftermarket options are readily available in AU/NZ, and a workshop that knows Daihatsus will have no dramas setting the ride height, torques and alignment right. Once fitted, the Gran Move rewards with tighter turn-in, better tyre life and a calmer, more confidence-inspiring drive.

Popular questions about 1998 Daihatsu Gran Move struts

Does the 1998 Gran Move have rear struts?
No. The rear uses a torsion-beam axle with separate coil springs and shock absorbers. Only the front end uses MacPherson struts.

How often should front struts be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval, but regular checks from 80,000 km make sense. Many cars need them between 120,000–180,000 km, sooner if they’ve lived on rough roads. Replace based on condition: leaks, bounce, tyre wear or knocking top mounts are the cues.

Is a wheel alignment needed after strut replacement?
Yes. Disturbing the strut-to-knuckle joint can alter camber and toe. A post-repair alignment ensures straight tracking, even tyre wear and the steering wheel sitting bang-on centre.