Parts for your 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero-Control arms

1998 Mitsubishi Pajero Control Arms

Per Mitsubishi’s V20-series workshop manual (1997–1999), the ASA electronic parts catalogue, and common repair guides such as Haynes/Gregory’s, the 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero runs control arms. Up front it uses an independent double‑wishbone layout with upper and lower control arms and torsion bars, and at the rear a coil‑sprung live axle is located by trailing control arms and a Panhard rod. Control arms are absolutely relevant on this model.

On a 1998 Pajero, the control arms do the heavy lifting of keeping tyres pointed where they should be, whether that’s chewing up corrugations or cruising the motorway. The front upper and lower arms set and hold camber and caster, guiding the hub through its travel so the tyre maintains a stable contact patch. Their bushes soak up vibration while the ball joints allow smooth articulation. Down the back, the trailing arms control fore‑aft and axle wind‑up movement, with the Panhard rod managing lateral location, which keeps the wagon tracking straight even with a full load or a camper on the hitch.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to inspect control arm bushes and ball joints every 20,000–30,000 km (or sooner if it sees a lot of mud, water crossings, or beach work). Tell‑tales include clunks over potholes, vague or wandering steering, a shimmy under braking, uneven tyre wear on the shoulders, and squeaks as the suspension cycles. Any visible cracks, torn bushes, split ball joint boots, or bent arms after an off‑road knock mean it’s time for parts.

When replacing arms or bushes, doing them in axle pairs helps keep handling even. Always torque pivot bolts with the vehicle at normal ride height to avoid preloading the bushes. On the front end, expect seized cam bolts on higher‑kilometre rigs, replacing cams and bolts saves grief later. If separating a lower arm, safely unload the torsion bar, protect ball joint tapers, and check bump stops and droop limits. After any arm, bush, or ball joint work, book a proper wheel alignment to reset caster, camber, and toe. The Pajero rewards OEM‑style rubber bushes for comfort and NVH, while quality polyurethane can sharpen response for touring setups—just be mindful of potential increase in noise and harshness.

For longevity, rinse road salt and red dust out of the arms, re‑torque fasteners after a few hundred kilometres of corrugations, and keep an eye on mounting brackets for rust or hairline cracks if the vehicle works hard off‑road.

• Key checks: bushes, ball joints, cam bolts, arm straightness, boot condition
• Always finish with a wheel alignment after control arm or bush replacement
• Choose bush material to suit use: comfort (rubber) vs. feel/durability (poly)

Popular questions about 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero control arms

How can someone tell if the control arm bushes or ball joints are worn on a 1998 Pajero?
Common signs include clunks over bumps, a steering wobble under braking, wandering on the highway, and feathered or uneven tyre wear. Visually, look for torn or perished rubber bushes, leaking or split ball joint boots, rust trails, and any free play when the wheel is levered up/down with the suspension unloaded. If there’s movement at the arm pivots or the ball joint, they’re due.

Is a wheel alignment needed after replacing control arms on a 1998 Pajero?
Yes. The front control arms directly affect caster and camber, and disturbing the cam bolts or arm position will shift alignment. Even if only bushes are pressed in, tolerances change. A post‑repair alignment restores straight‑line stability, steering feel, and tyre life.

What bush material works best—OEM rubber or polyurethane—for a touring/off‑road 1998 Pajero?
OEM‑style rubber is quiet, compliant, and kind to NVH—great for daily and mixed use. Polyurethane can deliver crisper steering and better durability under heat and oil exposure, which suits towing and outback touring, but may add a touch of vibration or noise. Many owners run rubber in the rear trailing arms for comfort and poly in selected front locations for feel.