Parts for your 2012 Ford Falcon-Strut mounts

Are strut mounts used on the 2012 Ford Falcon?

Short answer: no, the 2012 Ford Falcon doesn’t use strut mounts. Ford’s FG/FG MkII Falcon platform (covering 2012 models) runs a short-long-arm, double-wishbone front end—marketed by Ford as a Virtual Pivot Control Link system—rather than a MacPherson strut. That’s laid out in the Ford FG Falcon Workshop Manual (Front Suspension—Description and Operation). Independent technical write-ups on the FG chassis and major Australian parts catalogues back this up, listing front shock absorber mounts/bushes rather than strut mounts for the Falcon. At the rear, sedans use Control Blade IRS and the ute uses a live axle with leaf springs—again, neither is a strut setup.

Why that matters: a “strut mount” is specific to MacPherson-strut vehicles. It’s the rubber/steel top mount (often with a bearing) that lets the entire strut rotate for steering while isolating noise and vibration. Because the Falcon’s steering pivots on upper and lower ball joints in the wishbones, the front damper doesn’t rotate, so it doesn’t need a strut-top bearing. Instead, it uses a conventional shock absorber with an upper insulator/mount and separate control arms to handle geometry and loads.

If someone’s hunting “2012-ford-falcon strut-mounts,” they’re usually after the front shock top mounts/insulators or related bushes. The smart service play is to inspect these at regular services or about every 20,000 km—along with upper and lower control arm bushes, ball joints, sway bar links, and the rear shock mounts. Tell-tales include clunks over sharp bumps, wandering or tramlining, and uneven tyre wear. Any time suspension rubber is replaced, a wheel alignment is a good idea to keep the Falcon tracking straight and protecting tyres.

When replacing shock mounts or bushes on a 2012 Falcon, go for OE-quality components, replace left and right in pairs, and torque everything at ride height to avoid preloading new bushes. If the car sees rough roads or towing, shorten inspection intervals. For the rear, check the shock mounts and, on utes, the leaf spring shackles and bushes. That approach delivers the comfort and control the FG is known for—without chasing a strut mount that was never fitted in the first place.

Does a 2012 Ford Falcon have strut mounts?
It doesn’t. The FG/FG MkII Falcon uses a double-wishbone front end and Control Blade IRS (sedan) or a live rear axle (ute), so there are no MacPherson struts and no strut-top bearings. Look for shock absorber top mounts/insulators instead.

What should be checked instead of strut mounts on a 2012 Falcon?
Front shock top mounts/insulators, upper and lower control arm bushes, ball joints, and sway bar links. At the rear, check shock mounts and, depending on model, IRS bushes or ute leaf spring bushes. Inspect regularly or if you hear knocks, feel vibration, or notice uneven tyre wear.

Can worn shock mounts feel like bad strut mounts on a Falcon?
Yes. You may hear clunks over bumps, feel harshness through the body, or notice imprecise steering. On the Falcon, those symptoms point to shock mounts or surrounding bushes rather than a strut-top bearing.