Parts for your 2014 Holden Colorado-Strut mounts

2014 Holden Colorado strut-mounts: not a thing on this ute

Chasing “strut-mounts” for a 2014 Holden Colorado? Here’s the deal: this model doesn’t run MacPherson struts, so a traditional strut-mount (with a rotating bearing) isn’t used on the vehicle. Technical sources including the Holden RG Colorado Service Manual (2012–2016) and GM Global Service Information specify an independent double-wishbone front suspension with a coil-over shock absorber. In those factory documents there’s no MacPherson strut assembly and no strut top bearing listed. Likewise, common parts catalogues for the RG Colorado (e.g., ACDelco/GM EPC, KYB and Monroe Australia) list a front “shock absorber upper mount/insulator” rather than a strut-mount. The rear is leaf-sprung with separate shocks, so there’s no strut-mount there either.

Why’s that important? In a MacPherson setup (common on small cars), the strut is a load-bearing, steering-locating member and needs a strut-mount with an integrated bearing so the assembly can rotate as you steer. The Colorado’s double-wishbone layout uses upper and lower control arms to locate the wheel, and steering rotation happens through the ball joints. The shock and spring don’t need to pivot, so there’s no strut-mount to speak of.

If there’s a clunk or knock up front and you were thinking “strut-mounts”, the more relevant 2014 Colorado parts to inspect or replace are:

• Front shock absorber upper and lower bushes/insulators and the top plate (sometimes called a top hat)
• Sway bar (stabiliser) links and D-bushes
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Front spring seat isolators and bump stops

Typical symptoms of tired mounts or bushes include clunks over corrugations, vague steering feel, or cupped front tyres. There’s no set replacement interval for the shock upper mount/insulator—swap it when the rubber is cracked, perished, or the assembly moves excessively. If you’re rebuilding the front coil-over, use a proper spring compressor, mark the orientation of components, and torque fasteners at normal ride height. After any control-arm or ball-joint work, get a wheel alignment. It’s smart practice to renew left and right side mounts/bushes as a pair.

Heads up: some aftermarket websites loosely label the Colorado’s upper shock insulator as a “strut mount”. The function isn’t the same as a true strut-mount with a steering bearing, but that’s the closest equivalent term you’ll see in generic catalogues.

FAQs

Does a 2014 Holden Colorado have strut-mounts?
No. The RG Colorado uses a double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock, not a MacPherson strut. It has a shock absorber upper mount/insulator, not a rotating strut-mount with a bearing.

What should be checked if there’s a front-end clunk on a 2014 Colorado?
Start with the shock upper and lower bushes/insulators, sway bar links and D-bushes, control arm bushes, and ball joints. Also look at the spring seat isolators and bump stops. If any of these are worn, they can mimic the noise people often attribute to “strut-mounts”.

Can a strut-mount kit from another vehicle be fitted to a Colorado?
No. MacPherson strut-mount kits aren’t compatible with the Colorado’s double-wishbone coil-over layout. Use components specified for the RG Colorado—namely the correct shock mount/insulator and related bushes.