Parts for your 1998 Ford Falcon-Struts

1998 Ford Falcon — Are struts used on this model?

Short answer: no, the 1998 Ford Falcon doesn’t use MacPherson struts. Technical sources such as the Ford Australia AU Series Workshop Manual (Section 204-01), Gregory’s Service and Repair Manual for EF–EL (No. 262), and contemporary road-test technical write‑ups make it clear the Falcon of this era runs a double‑wishbone (short/long arm) front suspension with a separate coil spring and telescopic shock absorber, not a structural strut. Rear suspension is a live axle with coil springs and a Watts linkage on most sedans (utes use leaf springs), again with separate shock absorbers rather than struts.

Why no struts? Ford Australia stuck with the SLA/double‑wishbone layout to keep better control of camber through suspension travel, deliver steadier tyre contact on rough Aussie and Kiwi roads, and handle the weight and geometry of the long inline‑six under the bonnet. In a MacPherson setup, the strut doubles as a locating member, on the Falcon, the arms do the locating and the shock simply damps movement. So when someone asks for “1998 Falcon struts”, what they actually need are shock absorbers and related mounting/bushing hardware.

What to service instead of struts? For the front end, think shock absorbers, upper and lower control arm bushes, ball joints, sway‑bar links and bushes, and top shock mounts. For the rear, look at the shocks, coil springs (sedan) or leaf packs (ute), Watts linkage bushes, and trailing arm bushes where fitted.

• Typical symptoms of tired shocks/bushes: floaty ride, nose‑diving under brakes, uneven tyre wear, clunks over bumps, steering shimmy, and increased stopping distance.
• Checks and intervals: inspect shocks for leaks and fade every 20,000–30,000 km, many owners replace at 80,000–120,000 km depending on load and road use. Inspect ball joints and bushes at each service or if tyre wear patterns appear.
• Good practice: replace shocks in axle pairs, torque suspension fasteners with the vehicle at ride height, and book a wheel alignment after any front‑end work.

Technical references: Ford Australia AU Series Workshop Manual (Front Suspension 204‑01, SLA design), Gregory’s No. 262 Ford Falcon EF–EL 1994–1998 (double‑wishbone front, separate shock), period technical reviews of the AU Falcon front suspension architecture (double wishbone, not MacPherson).

Popular questions about 1998 Ford Falcon “struts”

Does a 1998 Ford Falcon have struts?
No. Both late EL (early 1998) and AU (from late 1998) Falcons use double‑wishbone front suspension with separate shocks and coils. The shock absorber isn’t a structural strut.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a 1998 Falcon?
Front and rear shock absorbers, plus wear items like control‑arm bushes, ball joints, sway‑bar links/bushes and, at the back, Watts linkage bushes. These are the parts that restore ride and handling.

Do I need a wheel alignment after replacing shocks on a 1998 Falcon?
Yes, if you’ve replaced shocks or any front‑end components, get an alignment. The double‑wishbone setup relies on correct camber and toe, fresh parts can shift settings enough to cause tyre wear if left unchecked.