Parts for your 2016 Ford Everest-Strut mounts

2016 Ford Everest strut-mounts: are they used?

After checking technical sources, strut mounts aren’t used on the 2016 Ford Everest. The Everest runs a front independent double-wishbone suspension with a coil-over shock and stabiliser bar, and a rear live axle with a Watts linkage and coil springs. That architecture doesn’t use a MacPherson strut, so there’s no steering-bearing type strut mount in the system. This layout is documented in the Ford Everest Workshop Manual (2015–2018, Section 204-01 Suspension) and Ford’s technical media materials for the all-new Everest program, and it’s consistent with major aftermarket catalogues (Monroe, KYB) that list shocks, bushes and bearings for this model but no strut-mount assemblies.

Why no strut mounts? In a MacPherson setup the “strut” carries the vehicle’s weight, locates the wheel and turns with the steering. It needs a dedicated top mount with an integrated bearing to allow rotation. The 2016 Everest’s double-wishbone front end uses upper and lower control arms to locate the hub and handle steering loads. The shock absorber and spring are along for damping and ride height, and the shock’s upper mount doesn’t rotate with steering. That means a conventional rubber/insulated shock top mount or bush is used instead of a strut mount with a bearing.

What should owners focus on instead? While there’s no strut-mount to replace, the Everest still relies on several wear items to keep the ride quiet and controlled:

• Front shock absorber top mounts/bushes and lower eyes
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Front stabiliser (sway bar) link rods and D-bushes
• Rear shock absorber bushes, Watts link bushes and trailing arm bushes

Signs it’s time for attention include clunks over speed humps, a thud on driveway entries, vague steering, front-end nibble, or uneven tyre wear. Rubber that’s cracking or oil-soaked, excessive movement at the top or bottom of the shock, or play in control arm bushes are classic tells.

Good workshop practice on a 2016 Ford Everest is to inspect these mounts and bushes at each service or at least every 20,000 km, torque-fastening them at ride height, and replacing in pairs left/right. If shocks are being replaced, it’s smart to renew the top mounts/bushes at the same time. Use quality components and new hardware where specified in the Ford Workshop Manual to avoid noise and premature wear.

Does a 2016 Ford Everest have strut mounts?

No. Because the Everest uses a double-wishbone front suspension and a Watts-link rear axle, it doesn’t have MacPherson struts, so there are no strut mounts with steering bearings. It uses shock absorber mounts and bushes instead.

What does the Everest use instead of strut mounts?

It uses a coil-over shock with a fixed upper mount/bush up front, plus control arms and ball joints to handle steering and wheel location. At the rear, the shocks mount to the axle and body with rubber bushes, and the axle is located by the Watts link and trailing arms.

What should be serviced if there’s front-end noise on an Everest?

Start with the front shock top mounts/bushes, sway bar links and D-bushes, then check upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints. Replace worn parts in pairs and re-check wheel alignment and tyre condition after the repair.