Parts for your 2016 Ford Territory-Struts

2016 Ford Territory “struts” — what it actually has

For the 2016 Ford Territory (SZ MkII), “struts” aren’t the right term. Technical sources note the Territory uses a short–long arm (double wishbone) front suspension with a coil-over shock absorber, and a Control Blade multi‑link independent rear setup. That means no MacPherson struts at either end. References include the Ford Territory SZ/SZ MkII Workshop Manual (Sections 204‑01 Front Suspension and 204‑02 Rear Suspension), Ford Australia’s SZ MkII product literature, and engineering coverage of Ford Australia’s virtual‑pivot double‑wishbone front architecture (as used on Falcon/Territory) in SAE and period road tests from Wheels and CarAdvice.

Why didn’t Ford fit struts? The double‑wishbone front end was chosen for steering precision, camber control and consistent tyre contact under load—handy for a heavy, tow‑friendly SUV. It also packages cleanly around the large engine and, on AWD variants, the front differential and driveshafts, without needing tall strut towers that can compromise bonnet line and crash structure. The rear Control Blade IRS gives good ride comfort and lateral control, again without relying on a MacPherson strut layout.

So if someone’s searching for “2016 Ford Territory struts”, what they really need are shock absorbers and associated hardware. The key maintenance tasks are about keeping the dampers and bushings healthy rather than replacing strut cartridges.

• Inspect front and rear shock absorbers for oil weep, dents, or reduced rebound every 20,000–30,000 km, and expect replacement typically somewhere around 80,000–120,000 km depending on loads and road conditions.
• Check front upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints, sway bar links and bushes, and damper top mounts for play or cracking—these are common wear items that affect ride and tyre wear.
• Replace in pairs (left/right) and get a proper wheel alignment after any front-end work.
• Watch for extra bounce, nose‑dive under braking, tramlining, clunks, or uneven tyre wear—classic signs the dampers or bushes are tired.

Bottom line: the 2016 Territory doesn’t run MacPherson struts. It runs coil‑over shock absorbers within a double‑wishbone/multi‑link suspension, and good servicing focuses on dampers, arms, bushes, mounts and alignment to keep it riding sweet on Aussie and Kiwi roads.

FAQs

Does a 2016 Ford Territory have struts?
Technically, no. It uses a double‑wishbone front with coil‑over shock absorbers and a Control Blade multi‑link rear. Some catalogues casually label the front dampers as “struts”, but they’re not MacPherson struts.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a Territory?
Front and rear shock absorbers, damper top mounts, coil springs if sagged, control arm bushes and ball joints, and sway bar links/bushes. Always finish with a wheel alignment.

How often do the shocks need replacing?
There’s no fixed interval, but many see replacement around 80,000–120,000 km. Inspect every service if the vehicle tows, carries loads, or drives on rough roads. Look for leakage, bounce, or uneven tyre wear.