Parts for your 2009 Ford Falcon-Struts

2009 Ford Falcon struts – what’s actually fitted and why it matters

For the 2009 Ford Falcon (FG series), “struts” aren’t actually part of the front suspension. Technical sources – including the Ford FG Falcon Workshop Manual (Chassis 204-01 Front Suspension), Ford Australia’s FG Falcon Product Information (2008), and contemporary technical reviews from Wheels magazine and GoAuto – describe the FG’s front end as a double wishbone system Ford calls Virtual Pivot Control Link (VPCL). That setup uses upper and lower control arms with a coil-over shock absorber, not a MacPherson strut. At the rear, most sedan variants run independent rear suspension, and utes of the era use a live axle, neither arrangement uses a MacPherson strut either.

Why does that matter? A MacPherson strut is a structural member that replaces the upper control arm and carries significant chassis loads. The FG Falcon keeps separate upper and lower control arms, so the damper is just that – a shock absorber – rather than a load-bearing strut. That’s why “strut” listings you might see online often don’t apply to an FG Falcon, even if the part looks similar at a glance.

Ford Australia chose the VPCL double wishbone for the FG to nail steering feel, tyre contact, and geometry control under braking and cornering – priorities called out in the factory literature and echoed by period road tests. It delivers better camber control than a basic strut, copes well with Aussie and Kiwi roads, towing, and taxi-duty loads, and gives tuners room to fine-tune bushings and roll-centre without the compromises of a MacPherson layout.

So, if they’re not struts, what should owners look after? Think shocks, mounts, bushes, and ball joints. The front coil-over shocks, top mounts, sway-bar links, and control arm bushes are service items. On higher‑kilometre cars, fresh dampers can sharpen ride and braking stability, while new bushes and ball joints restore precise steering. Any suspension work should be followed by a professional wheel alignment to get camber, caster, and toe back where they belong.

• Common wear signs: oily shocks, knocking over bumps, cupped tyres, vague steering, or longer stopping distances.
• Service tips: replace shocks in axle pairs, inspect mounts and bump stops, and torque control arm hardware at ride height.
• Parts language: when a catalogue says “strut” for a 2009 Falcon, double‑check – it usually means a shock absorber for the FG’s double wishbone front.

Popular questions about 2009 Ford Falcon “struts”

Does a 2009 Ford Falcon have front struts?
No. The FG Falcon uses a Virtual Pivot Control Link double wishbone front suspension with a coil-over shock absorber, not a MacPherson strut. That’s documented in the FG Workshop Manual and Ford’s product information, and mirrored by period technical reviews.

What should be serviced instead of struts on a 2009 Falcon?
Front shocks, top mounts, sway-bar links, and the upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints. After any suspension work, a proper wheel alignment is recommended to protect tyres and keep the steering crisp.

How can someone tell if their Falcon’s shocks need replacing?
Look for oil seepage on the shock body, a floaty or bouncy ride, clunks over bumps, uneven or scalloped tyre wear, or increased stopping distances. If those show up, it’s time to inspect shocks, mounts, and bushes.