Parts for your 2014 Isuzu D-max-Struts

2014 Isuzu D‑MAX: Are Struts Used, Or Not?

Based on factory specs and common service information for the 2012–2016 (RT) Isuzu D‑MAX, struts aren’t used on the 2014 model. The front end runs an independent double‑wishbone setup with coil springs and separate shock absorbers, while the rear is a live axle with leaf springs and telescopic shocks. In other words, there’s no MacPherson strut assembly in this ute.

Why no struts? A MacPherson strut doubles as a structural member to locate the wheel and carry vehicle loads, which suits many passenger cars. The D‑MAX’s ladder‑frame chassis and double‑wishbone front suspension use upper and lower control arms to locate the steering knuckle, so the damper doesn’t need to act as a structural strut. This layout is tough, serviceable, and leaves room for 4x4 hardware, making it well‑suited to towing, payloads and rough Kiwi and Aussie roads.

It’s common to hear people call the front coil-and-shock unit a “strut”, but on a 2014 D‑MAX it’s simply a shock absorber with a separate coil spring. If someone’s searching for “D‑MAX struts”, they’re almost certainly chasing front or rear shock absorbers.

For owners looking after the suspension, it pays to inspect the shocks and related hardware during regular servicing, especially if the ute sees corrugations, towing, or loads. Tell‑tale signs the shocks are tired include:

• Excessive bounce, nose‑dive or body roll
• Cupped or uneven tyre wear
• Oil weep on the shock body or perished bushes
• Clunks over bumps or poor steering feel

When replacing, consider doing shocks in axle pairs (both fronts or both rears) for balanced handling. Check top mounts, bushes, sway‑bar links and control‑arm bushes while you’re there. If the front coils are sagging, replace them too. Always torque suspension bolts at ride height and book a wheel alignment after front‑end work. For lift kits, stay within local rules and mind CV angles on 4x4 models.

Bottom line: the 2014 Isuzu D‑MAX doesn’t use struts, it uses shocks. Shopping for “struts” for this model will land you in the shock absorber aisle every time.

FAQs

Does a 2014 Isuzu D‑MAX have struts?
No. It has an independent double‑wishbone front with coil springs and separate shock absorbers, and a rear live axle with leaf springs and shocks. There’s no MacPherson strut assembly in this model.

If it doesn’t use struts, what parts should be replaced?
When people say “struts” for a D‑MAX, they usually mean shock absorbers. Replace front and/or rear shocks, inspect coil springs (front) for sag, and check top mounts, bushes and sway‑bar links. Always do a wheel alignment after front suspension work.

Can aftermarket ‘strut’ or coilover kits be fitted?
You can fit upgraded shock-and-spring packages (often called coilovers in aftermarket speak), but they’re still not MacPherson struts. Choose kits that suit the D‑MAX’s double‑wishbone layout, keep ride‑height changes within legal limits in AU/NZ, and watch CV angles on 4x4s.