Parts for your 2013 Ford Territory-Strut mounts

2013 Ford Territory strut mounts — are they even a thing?

Short answer: no, a 2013 Ford Territory doesn’t use strut mounts in the MacPherson-strut sense. The SZ Territory (2011–2016) runs a Short-Long Arm (SLA) double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock absorber, and Control Blade independent rear suspension. Because the front suspension pivots on upper and lower ball joints, the damper doesn’t rotate for steering — so there’s no need for a strut-top bearing plate. This layout is outlined in the Ford SZ Territory Workshop Manual (Section 204-01 Front Suspension) and echoed in common AU/NZ service manuals (Gregory’s/Ford Falcon & Territory 2002–2014). Aftermarket catalogues for the Territory also list upper shock mounts/insulators rather than bearing-type strut tops.

What the Territory does have is a front shock absorber upper mount/insulator — a rubber isolator that bolts to the body. It cushions noise and vibration but doesn’t contain a thrust bearing or act as a structural steering pivot like a true strut mount. At the rear, the Territory uses separate shock bushes or simple mounts (again, no strut top bearings).

If there’s a knock from the top of the front suspension over bumps, owners should look at the condition of the front shock upper mounts/insulators and the shocks themselves. When servicing:

• Inspect front shock upper mounts/insulators for cracking, crushing or separation.
• Check rear shock bushes for play or perishing.
• Replace mounts in pairs and consider new shocks at the same time if they’re tired or leaking.
• Torque fasteners to spec and get a wheel alignment after any front-end work.

Why Ford set it up this way comes down to Territory’s platform engineering: the double-wishbone design gives precise control of camber and caster without relying on a strut tower to locate the wheel, so a bearing-type strut mount simply isn’t part of the package. If you’re shopping for “strut mounts” for a 2013 Territory, the correct parts you want are the front shock upper mounts/insulators (and their associated hardware), not MacPherson-style strut tops.

Popular questions

Does a 2013 Ford Territory have front strut mounts?

No. The SZ Territory uses a double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock, so there’s no steering bearing at the top like a MacPherson strut. Instead, it has a rubber shock upper mount/insulator that isolates noise and vibration but doesn’t rotate for steering.

What should be replaced if there’s a clunk at the top of the front suspension?

Have the front shock upper mounts/insulators inspected along with the shocks. If the rubber is cracked, crushed or separated, replace the mounts in pairs. If the shocks are worn or leaking, replace them at the same time. An alignment afterwards is a good idea.

Do the rear shocks on a Territory use strut mounts?

No. The rear runs Control Blade IRS with separate shock mounting hardware. You’ll be dealing with upper and lower bushes or simple mounts, not strut-top bearings. Replace worn bushes and check the shocks for leaks or fade during routine servicing.