Parts for your 2016 Holden Colorado-Struts

2016 Holden Colorado – Are There Struts?

Short answer: no, the 2016 Holden Colorado doesn’t use suspension struts. Technical sources including the GM Holden RG Colorado Service Manual (Chassis/Suspension section), the 2016 Holden Colorado brochure/specifications, and Australian damper catalogues from Monroe and KYB list front shock absorbers (coil-over type) with a double-wishbone front end, and leaf springs with separate shock absorbers in the rear. The owner’s handbook confirms this layout as well. That means there’s no MacPherson strut assembly on this ute.

Why no struts? The Colorado’s job is towing, hauling and off-road work. A double-wishbone front suspension gives robust control of camber and caster under load and through big wheel travel, while keeping components tucked up for ground clearance. In this setup, the shock absorber and coil spring are not structural, the upper and lower control arms carry the loads. Out back, a solid axle with leaf springs handles payload and towing stresses, with separate shocks controlling bounce. Because a true strut is a load-bearing member that replaces the upper control arm, it’s not the preferred design for a heavy-duty ute like the RG Colorado.

If someone’s chasing “struts” for a 2016 Colorado, they usually need shock absorbers. For maintenance, it’s worth checking the following at service time or if the ride feels off:

• Shock absorbers: look for oil misting, dents, or harsh/floaty ride, many see noticeable wear by 80,000–120,000 km (earlier with towing, corrugations, or heavy loads).
• Control arm bushes and ball joints: inspect for play, cracking, or noise over bumps.
• Sway bar links/bushes: replace if clunking or excessive body roll appears.
• Rear leaf spring bushes, shackles and U-bolts: check for wear and correct torque after off-road trips or heavy towing.
• Tyre wear and wheel alignment: uneven wear can point to tired shocks or bush issues.

Quick driveway checks help: do a bounce test at each corner, note any nose-dive under braking or wallow over speed humps, and listen for clunks. When replacing shocks, match the setup to how the ute’s used—OE-style for daily duties, or heavy-duty/4x4-tuned units for touring and towing. And just to clear it up: “bonnet or canopy gas struts” are different parts altogether and aren’t the same as suspension components.

FAQs

Does the 2016 Holden Colorado have suspension struts?
No. It runs a double-wishbone front end with coil-over shock absorbers and a rear leaf-spring axle with separate shocks. There’s no MacPherson strut assembly on this model year.

What should be serviced or replaced instead of struts?
Focus on the shock absorbers, control arm bushes, ball joints, sway bar links, and rear leaf spring bushes/shackles. Many owners consider shocks around the 80,000–120,000 km mark, sooner if the ute tows, carries loads, or sees rough tracks.

Can MacPherson struts be fitted to a Colorado?
Not practically. It would require major chassis and geometry changes and wouldn’t be road-legal. If better ride or control is the goal, look at quality shocks, appropriate coils or leaf packs, and a proper alignment—possibly a lift kit engineered for the RG platform.