Parts for your 2010 Ford Falcon-Struts

2010 Ford Falcon struts: what’s actually fitted, and what to service

For the 2010 Ford Falcon (FG MkI), “struts” in the MacPherson sense aren’t used. Up front it runs a Short-Long Arm (SLA) double-wishbone layout with a coil-over shock absorber and a virtual pivot control link, and the sedan’s rear is a Control Blade multi-link independent setup with separate coil spring and damper. Utes pair the SLA front with a live rear axle and leaf springs. In all cases, the dampers are shock absorbers rather than structural struts.

That architecture is detailed in factory and industry material including: Ford FG Falcon Workshop Manual (front and rear suspension sections), Ford Australia product and engineering briefs describing the Virtual Pivot Control Link front end, and BA–FG service manuals from publishers such as Haynes/Ellery, as well as period technical specifications in Australian motoring press. These sources specify double wishbone front and Control Blade or leaf rear arrangements, not MacPherson struts.

Why no struts on a 2010 Falcon? Ford chose the SLA front for camber control and steering precision, especially on Australia–NZ roads and with the weight and packaging of the inline‑six and V8 under the bonnet. A double wishbone lets the tyre keep a better contact patch during cornering than a typical MacPherson strut, and it separates spring/damper duties from wheel location. The Control Blade rear in sedans gives a tidy mix of ride quality and handling, while the ute’s leaf rear suits load carrying. Because the dampers don’t carry lateral loads or locate the wheel, they’re not “struts” even if some catalogues loosely label them that way.

What should be serviced instead of “struts” on a 2010 Falcon:

• Shock absorbers: front coil-over shocks and rear shocks (or rear sedan shocks separate from springs). Replace in axle pairs, check for oil misting, dents and weak rebound.
• Control arm bushes and ball joints: upper and lower fronts, plus rear control blade/trailing arm bushes, ute leaf-spring shackle and eye bushes.
• Top mounts/spring seats on the front coil-over assembly, sway bar links and D‑bushes, and rear toe/camber link bushes (sedan).
• Wheel alignment after any suspension work, torque rubber bushes at ride height to avoid preloading.
• Typical replacement interval for shocks is 80,000–150,000 kilometres depending on roads and loads, watch for cupped tyres, nose‑diving, float, and clunks.

Parts sites may list “front struts” for this model, but on a 2010 Falcon those items are shock absorbers (dampers) within a coil-over assembly, not MacPherson struts. Servicing the correct components keeps the Falcon tracking straight, riding comfortably, and preserving tyre life.

Popular questions about 2010‑Ford‑Falcon struts

Does a 2010 Ford Falcon have struts?
It doesn’t. The FG‑series Falcon uses a double‑wishbone SLA front with a coil‑over shock, and either a Control Blade multi‑link IRS (sedan) or a live axle with leaf springs (ute). Those setups use shock absorbers rather than structural MacPherson struts.

What should be replaced if “struts” are listed for a 2010 Falcon?
They’ll be shock absorbers. For a tidy result, replace the front coil‑over shocks (and mounts if worn) or rear shocks in pairs. It’s also smart to inspect front upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints, sway bar links, and, on sedans, rear control blade and toe/camber link bushes. Finish with a wheel alignment.

When are the shocks due on a 2010 Falcon?
Many see best performance when renewed somewhere between 80,000 and 150,000 kilometres, depending on use. Telltales include oily dampers, floaty ride, nose‑diving under brakes, extra bounce over speed bumps, and uneven or cupped tyre wear. If any of that shows up, the shocks and related bushes deserve a look.