Parts for your 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero-Strut mounts

2005 Mitsubishi Pajero strut mounts — are they actually used?

Short answer: no, the 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero (NP series) doesn’t use strut mounts. According to the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Workshop Manual for the 2003–2006 models (Front Suspension section), the front end is an independent double‑wishbone setup with a separate shock absorber and coil spring, not a MacPherson strut. The Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue (suspension/Group 33) likewise lists front shock absorber bushes and insulators but no strut top mount or bearing. This is echoed by major shock suppliers: KYB and Monroe catalogues specify front shock absorbers (not struts) and do not offer a strut‑mount kit for this model. Those technical sources make it clear that a “strut mount” isn’t a service part on this Pajero.

Why that matters: a MacPherson strut uses a strut top mount and bearing to support vehicle weight and allow the strut to rotate with steering. The Pajero’s double‑wishbone design carries steering movement through the upper and lower ball joints, while the shock absorber only damps motion and doesn’t rotate with the hub. So there’s no strut top bearing to wear out, and no strut mount to replace.

If there’s a front‑end clunk, knock, or vague steering feel on a 2005 Pajero, the usual suspects aren’t “strut mounts” but these components:

• Upper and lower control arm bushes
• Upper and lower ball joints
• Shock absorber upper and lower bushes (and the shocks themselves)
• Coil spring insulators/top rubbers
• Sway bar (stabiliser) links and D‑bushes

Owners sometimes order “strut mounts” online and find nothing to bolt them to. That’s not them going mad — it’s just catalogue generalisation across models. On this Pajero, solid maintenance means checking bushings for cracks or movement, confirming ball joints for play, and replacing tired shocks if there’s bounce, nose‑dive, or uneven tyre wear. The rear end is similar in spirit: multi‑link with separate shocks and coils, again with bushes and shock mounts rather than strut tops.

So if a workshop suggests strut mounts on a 2005 Pajero, it’s worth asking them to point out the part on the vehicle. They’ll likely pivot to the correct items above — and your Pajero will track straight and ride sweet once those are sorted.

FAQs — 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero strut mounts

Does a 2005 Mitsubishi Pajero have strut mounts?

No. It uses a double‑wishbone front suspension with separate shocks and coils, so there’s no MacPherson strut or strut top bearing to replace. Steering movement happens at the ball joints, not through a strut mount.

What should be replaced if I hear clunks up front?

Look to control arm bushes, upper/lower ball joints, shock absorber bushes or the shocks themselves, plus sway bar links and D‑bushes. These are the common wear items on the NP Pajero.

Why do some parts sites list strut mounts for my Pajero?

Many catalogues group Pajero with vehicles that do use MacPherson struts, or they use generic “strut” terminology. For the 2005 Pajero, the correct front service parts are shocks and their bushes, not strut mounts.