Parts for your 2012 Holden Colorado-Struts

2012 Holden Colorado struts — what’s actually fitted

Technical sources confirm the 2012 Holden Colorado (RG) doesn’t use MacPherson-style suspension struts. The Holden RG Colorado Workshop/Service Manual (2012) specifies an independent double wishbone front suspension with a coil-over shock absorber and stabiliser bar, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers. Platform-mate documentation for the 2012 Isuzu D‑MAX shows the same layout, and major parts catalogues (e.g., ACDelco, Monroe) list front and rear “shock absorbers”, not “struts”, for this model year.

So when someone asks about “struts” for a 2012 Colorado, they’re usually talking about the shock absorbers (the front being a coil-over shock unit) rather than a structural MacPherson strut. That’s an important distinction, because a strut carries vehicle weight and locates the wheel, while a shock absorber simply controls spring motion.

Why the Colorado doesn’t run struts comes down to its job description and construction. It’s a body-on-frame ute built for towing, payload and rough tracks, where durability and serviceability matter most. The double wishbone front end and leaf-spring rear suit heavy loads and off-road punishment, while keeping components robust and easier to replace individually.

• Double wishbone + coil-over shocks at the front = strong geometry and good wheel control under load.
• Leaf springs + separate shocks at the rear = high payload capability and toughness.
• No strut towers required in the body shell, which suits a ladder-frame chassis.

For servicing, owners should focus on the actual wear items fitted to the Colorado:

• Front and rear shock absorbers: inspect every 20,000 km for oil weep, dented bodies or poor rebound, many see replacement between 80,000–120,000 km depending on use.
• Front suspension bushes and ball joints: check for play, cracking and noise over bumps.
• Sway bar links and bushes: look for clunks and perished rubber.
• Rear leaf-spring bushes, shackles and U-bolt torque: important for ride, steer and tyre wear under load.
• Wheel alignment after any front-end work or shock replacement.

If a parts listing labels a “front strut” for this ute, it’s almost certainly a coil-over shock assembly. That’s fine to fit, just know it’s not a true strut. Choosing quality shocks matched to how the ute’s used—touring, towing, tradie work or corrugations—will keep it riding nicely and protect tyres and steering bits.

• Does a 2012 Holden Colorado have front struts?
  No. It runs a double wishbone front suspension with a coil-over shock absorber, not a MacPherson strut. Factory workshop information and parts catalogues list shocks (dampers) front and rear, with no structural struts in the suspension design.

• What should be replaced instead of struts on a 2012 Colorado?
  Replace the shock absorbers (front coil-over shock assemblies and rear shocks) when they’re leaking, faded or noisy. Also inspect front control arm bushes, ball joints and sway bar links, plus rear leaf-spring bushes and shackles. These are the common wear points on this chassis.

• How can someone tell the shocks are worn on their Colorado?
  Typical signs include excessive bouncing after speed humps, nose-diving under brakes, a choppy ride on corrugations, uneven tyre wear, oil mist on the shock body, or clunks over bumps. If any of these show up, a suspension check and alignment are good moves.