Parts for your 2014 Holden Colorado-Strut mounts

Understanding Strut Mounts on the 2014 Holden Colorado

When it comes to vehicle suspension, strut mounts play a key role in certain types of setups. However, for the 2014 Holden Colorado, it's important to know that strut mounts are not actually part of the suspension system. This is because the Holden Colorado utilises a different suspension design that does not employ struts in the front or rear suspension, meaning strut mounts are not fitted.

The 2014 Holden Colorado features a double wishbone front suspension and a leaf spring setup at the rear. This configuration relies on shock absorbers rather than struts to control wheel movement and provide damping. Since strut mounts are specifically designed to secure and cushion strut assemblies to the vehicle chassis, the absence of struts in the suspension system means strut mounts have no role here.

Struts are essentially a combination of a shock absorber and a coil spring in a single unit, commonly found in MacPherson strut suspensions. The mount serves as the connection point between the vehicle body and the strut assembly, providing noise and vibration isolation as well as allowing the strut to pivot when steering. Vehicles designed with struts use these mounts to absorb road shocks and to maintain proper alignment of the suspension components.

Since the 2014 Holden Colorado's front suspension uses double wishbones, the coil springs and shock absorbers are separate components. This means the shocks are mounted independently on the chassis and control arms, without requiring a combined strut mount. At the rear, leaf springs carry the load and the shock absorbers are similarly mounted without strut style mounts.

So why does this matter for owners or anyone servicing a 2014 Holden Colorado? Well, it means when checking or replacing suspension parts, you won't be looking for strut mounts at all. Instead, the focus is on maintaining the condition of the shocks, bushings, control arms, ball joints, and leaf spring components depending on where issues are found. There's no need to inspect or replace strut mounts because they do not exist on this model.

For those unfamiliar with the term, here is what strut mounts actually do on vehicles that have them. On cars with MacPherson strut suspension systems, the strut mount:

• Secures the top of the strut assembly to the car body
• Acts as an insulator to reduce road noise and vibration
• Allows the strut to pivot during steering for front wheel movement
• Helps maintain proper alignment of the strut and wheel

The mount typically has a rubber or elastomeric section that absorbs impacts and vibration, protecting both the suspension and the vehicle occupants from harshness. Some mounts include a bearing or swivel that enables the strut to turn with the steering system. Over time, strut mounts can wear out, causing clunking noises, poor handling, uneven tyre wear, and increased vibration inside the cabin.

If the 2014 Holden Colorado did use strut mounts, the recommended approach would be to regularly check these mounts during suspension servicing intervals. Replacement would be necessary if wear, cracking, or noise is detected. Because strut mounts play a crucial role in both ride comfort and handling, neglecting their condition can lead to bigger problems, including premature tyre and suspension wear.

To keep a vehicle's suspension working optimally, it is always best practice to have a qualified technician inspect shock absorbers, springs, mounts or cushions (where relevant), ball joints, and bushings during routine servicing or whenever handling issues arise. For the Holden Colorado, since strut mounts are not part of the system, attention should instead focus on shock absorbers and other independent suspension components.

In essence, the 2014 Holden Colorado's suspension design means that strut mounts are not included or required. This is simply due to the vehicle's choice of a double wishbone and leaf spring suspension setup which operates differently from strut-based systems. Understanding this helps owners and technicians know exactly what parts to look for and maintain when servicing the suspension, avoiding confusion over parts that are not fitted on this particular model.