Parts for your 1998 Daihatsu Terios-Struts

1998 Daihatsu Terios Struts — what they do and how to look after them

Technical sources confirm the 1998 Daihatsu Terios (J100 series) uses MacPherson struts at the front and a coil-sprung live rear axle with separate shock absorbers. References include the Daihatsu Terios J100 Series Workshop Manual (Suspension section), the KYB AU/NZ fitment catalogue, Monroe Australia application data, and information consistent with the Perodua Kembara (Terios) owner’s and service literature, as well as general-spec listings such as the Daihatsu Terios first-generation overview. That means “struts” are very relevant—on the front end.

On this Terios, the front strut assembly does double duty: it supports the vehicle’s weight and acts as a damper to control body movement. The strut integrates the shock absorber inside a structural housing, locating the hub and helping set camber. For everyday driving and soft-roading, good struts keep steering precise, braking stable, and tyres wearing evenly. When they’re tired, the Terios can feel floaty on corrugations, dive under brakes, and tramline more than it should.

As part of regular servicing, front struts deserve a look every 10,000–15,000 kilometres. A workshop will check for oil seepage, dented housings, perished top mounts, noisy bearings, and loose or cracked spring seats. In Aussie and Kiwi conditions—heat, gravel roads, and the odd loaded camping trip—front struts commonly need replacement somewhere between 80,000 and 150,000 kilometres, earlier if the vehicle sees a lot of unsealed tracks.

• Tell-tales of worn struts on a 1998 Terios:
  • Nose-diving and extended stopping distances under brakes
  • Knocks or clunks over speed humps
  • Uneven or rapid tyre wear on the front
  • Oil misting on the strut body
  • Skittish or bouncy behaviour on rough roads

When replacement time arrives, it’s smart to do fronts in pairs to keep handling balanced. Many owners opt to refresh the strut mounts/bearings and dust boots at the same time. After any strut work, a proper wheel alignment is recommended—camber and toe can shift as soon as the strut is disturbed. Reputable AU/NZ brands (e.g., KYB, Monroe) offer direct-fit options for the J100. A workshop familiar with Terios/Kembara will ensure the springs are safely compressed, hardware is torqued correctly, and the vehicle sits at normal ride height before final bush tightening to avoid premature wear. Look after the fronts, and this nimble little 4WD stays composed on city commutes and weekend gravel alike.

Popular questions about 1998 Daihatsu Terios struts

Do all four corners of a 1998 Terios have struts?
The 1998 Terios runs MacPherson struts at the front only. The rear is a coil-sprung live axle with separate shock absorbers. So, “front struts” and “rear shocks” is the correct way to talk about its suspension hardware.

How often should the front struts be replaced?
There’s no fixed expiry, but many Terios vehicles need new front struts between 80,000 and 150,000 kilometres depending on road conditions and loads. Regular checks at service time will pick up leaks, worn mounts, or reduced damping before it affects safety or tyre wear.

Is a wheel alignment needed after front strut replacement?
Yes. Because the strut helps locate the hub, removing or replacing it can alter camber and toe. A post-fitment alignment helps the Terios track straight, preserves tyres, and restores steering feel.