Parts for your 2006 Ford Ranger-Strut mounts

2006 Ford Ranger strut-mounts — are they used on this ute?

According to the Ford Workshop Manual for the 2006 Ranger (Section 204‑01 Front Suspension) and the Ford/Motorcraft parts catalogues for the 2006 model year, this vehicle uses a short/long arm (double wishbone) front suspension with either coil springs or torsion bars and a separate shock absorber. There’s no MacPherson strut assembly in the design, so there’s no strut-mount or strut-top bearing listed for this model. Aftermarket catalogues from suspension specialists (e.g., Monroe, KYB, MOOG) likewise list front shocks, control arms, ball joints, and bushings for 2006 Ranger, but not strut-mounts. That confirms strut-mounts aren’t used on the 2006 Ford Ranger.

Why’s that the case? A strut-mount is specific to MacPherson strut setups where the strut carries vehicle weight and doubles as a steering pivot, the mount houses a bearing and isolates noise and vibration. The 2006 Ranger steers and supports load through upper and lower control arms, while the shock absorber solely damps motion. Because the shock isn’t a structural strut, it doesn’t need a strut-mount — just simple rubber/urethane bushes and brackets at its mounting points.

Owners chasing “strut-mount” noises or wear on a 2006 Ranger should focus their servicing on the components that actually take the loads:

• Front shock absorbers and their upper/lower bushes
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Sway bar (stabiliser) links and D‑bushes
• Front coil springs or torsion bar hardware (depending on variant)

Good workshop practice in Australia and New Zealand is to inspect these items at every service or at least every 20,000 km, especially if the ute sees gravel roads, towing, or heavy loads. Tell‑tale signs to watch for include front‑end clunks over bumps, wandering or shimmy under brakes, uneven or cupped tyre wear, and excessive bounce after speed humps. If any of that shows up under the bonnet or on a road test, it’s time to check shock bushes and control arm gear first.

When replacing front shocks, renew the mounting bushes and hardware, and torque fasteners to the values in the Ford Workshop Manual. Quality shocks typically last 80,000–120,000 km, but harsh use can shorten that. Keeping the correct ride height (coil or torsion bar) and fresh bushes will keep the Ranger steering sweet and riding tidy — no strut-mounts required.

• Does the 2006 Ford Ranger have strut-mounts?
• What should be checked instead of strut-mounts when there’s a front‑end knock?
• Will a lift kit or coilover conversion add strut-mounts to a 2006 Ranger?

Does the 2006 Ford Ranger have strut-mounts?
Not on this model. Ford’s 2006 Ranger uses double wishbones with a separate shock, so there’s no MacPherson strut and no strut-mount/strut-top bearing. This is confirmed by the Ford Workshop Manual (Front Suspension 204‑01) and OEM/aftermarket parts catalogues for the 2006 MY.

What should be checked instead of strut-mounts when there’s a front‑end knock?
Start with the shock absorber upper and lower bushes, sway bar links and D‑bushes, and the upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints. Also check spring or torsion bar hardware and front wheel bearings. These are the usual culprits for clunks, vibration, or steering shimmy on a 2006 Ranger.

Will a lift kit or coilover conversion add strut-mounts to a 2006 Ranger?
Some aftermarket coilover kits use a top hat or mounting plate, but it isn’t a traditional strut-mount with a steering bearing like a MacPherson setup. Follow the kit manufacturer’s instructions for hardware, clearances, and torque settings, and re‑align the front end after installation.