Parts for your 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero-Strut mounts

1999 Mitsubishi Pajero strut mounts – are they a thing?

Short answer: no, proper “strut mounts” aren’t used on the 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero. Technical references including the Mitsubishi Pajero V20/V60 Factory Service Manuals (front suspension sections), the Mitsubishi ASA/CAPS parts catalogue, and aftermarket fitment catalogues from KYB and Monroe all describe the Pajero’s front as a double-wishbone setup (torsion-bar on late V20, coil-over damper on early V60), with separate shock absorbers rather than MacPherson struts. The rear uses a live axle with coils (V20) or independent suspension (V60), again with separate shocks. None of these layouts require a structural strut or a dedicated strut top mount.

Why this matters: a true strut mount belongs to a MacPherson strut, where the strut is a load-bearing, steering pivot that bolts into a rubber/bearing top mount in the body tower. The 1999 Pajero’s front suspension locates the wheel with upper and lower control arms, while the shock absorber simply damps movement. That means there’s no steering bearing or heavy-duty “strut top” carrying corner loads. Instead, you’ll find simpler shock absorber upper bushes or insulators and hardware. Some catalogues casually label those as “strut mounts”, but they’re not the same component.

If someone’s chasing a suspension clunk or vague steering on a 1999 Pajero, the smart service targets are:

• Shock absorber upper and lower bushes/insulators and the shocks themselves
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Sway bar links and bushes
• Rear trailing arm/upper arm bushes (where applicable)
• Wheel alignment after any bush or ball joint work to protect tyres

Typical symptoms of worn shock bushes include light knocks over small bumps, a thud on rebound, or visible perishing/cracking of the rubber. On coil-over front variants (early Gen 3 built late ’99 in some markets), the top insulator can compress and squeak, but it still isn’t a strut mount with a bearing. Replace bushes in pairs per axle, use quality rubber or polyurethane as appropriate, and torque fasteners at ride height to avoid preloading the bushes. If the shocks are weeping or weak, it’s worth doing shocks and bushes together to save labour and keep the Pajero tracking straight on corrugations and rough Kiwi or Aussie roads.

• Does a 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero have strut mounts?
• What should be replaced instead of strut mounts on a 1999 Pajero?
• How do you spot worn shock top bushes on a 1999 Pajero?

Does a 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero have strut mounts?
Not in the MacPherson strut sense. The Pajero uses double-wishbone suspension up front and separate shocks, so it has shock absorber upper bushes/insulators rather than true strut mounts with bearings. Some parts sites use the term loosely, but the component is different.

What should be replaced instead of strut mounts on a 1999 Pajero?
Inspect and replace the shock absorber bushes and hardware, the shocks if they’re tired or leaking, sway bar links/bushes, and control arm bushes/ball joints as needed. These are the wear items that cause the noises and handling issues people often blame on “strut mounts.”

How do you spot worn shock top bushes on a 1999 Pajero?
Look for cracked or squashed rubber at the top of the shock, metallic knocking over small bumps, and movement when levering the shock by hand with the vehicle safely supported. If in doubt, a suspension specialist can confirm and recommend the right bush or shock replacement.