I'm curious how switching from Ironman to Bilstein struts will affect suspension travel, so I took some before measurements today for comparison. I measured 1.375" of down travel from jacking up the vehicle. I expected that a lift would negatively impact down travel, but that seems like less than I expected for some reason(?). Granted, the vehicle was unladen except for half a tank of fuel...
Klaus - 2006 Montero Build
- Thread starter pwjazz
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plh
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I don't think the lift brand will effect the total travel at all in a Gen 3. The amount the arms can travel is a fixed distance, so unless you move the pivot points and change the arm length its not going to change.
That's my expectation too, I just figured this'll be a good opportunity to verify. I'm a little concerned that my ride height will change somewhat with the Bilstein struts if the spring seat is at a different height than the Ironman shocks, but IIUC the Ironman shocks are marketed as suitable for stock height and lifted vehicles, so I think that the Ironman lift is all from longer/stiffer springs which should work out fine. I'll know for sure soon enough!
Made a mistake there...on both mileage and year. It was a family member's truck and it had been a while since I had worked on it. It's actually a 2004 Limited with 81k on it. Very little rust on the suspension components, so I'm happy with it overall. Now to get through the maintenance it needs after basically sitting for 4 years...
I bought it for the right price, but I'll be pretty deep into it before I'm satisfied that everything is up to par, despite buying everything wholesale (both Mitsubishi and aftermarket).
I've worked up a spreadsheet with all the basic maintenance parts (from filters/oils/PCV to timing belt/water pump) if you guys have any questions on that sort of stuff. A combination of OEM/Aftermarket weighing cost/value/reliability.
I've worked on Mitsubishi's for the last 25 years (mainly DSMs/Evos, but have a decent amount of experience with other models), but this is the first 3rd Gen Montero I've personally owned.
Where are you seeing OEM bushings for the front control arms? Mitsubishi doesn't show them as being available. They offer diff mount bushings, but they're pretty much the only bushings they offer for the front suspension.
Being that you have a 2006, make sure that you're pricing out the correct ball joints. Mitsu changed them at the end of the run on the 2006s. It's only a VERY small amount of the 2006s sold that were affected, but compare you production date:
On another note, there are currently only 2 of the MR496799 currently in the U.S. (yes, Mitsu's inventory is that bad lately).
Inyo_man
Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
I've used both of these suppliers for OEM parts that are hard to find in the states.
www.amayama.com
partsouq.com
Cheers
Genuine Japanese Car Part Imports - Amayama
Amayama Trading Co. specializes in new genuine parts for used & import Japanese cars. Full warranty. Fast delivery. Very low prices. Request a quote online now.
www.amayama.com
PartSouq Auto Parts Around the World
We present to your attention our wide range of quality auto parts for many brands of cars. Our genuine parts catalogs and search by part number will help you!
Cheers
I've used both of these suppliers for OEM parts that are hard to find in the states.
Genuine Japanese Car Part Imports - Amayama
Amayama Trading Co. specializes in new genuine parts for used & import Japanese cars. Full warranty. Fast delivery. Very low prices. Request a quote online now.PartSouq Auto Parts Around the World
We present to your attention our wide range of quality auto parts for many brands of cars. Our genuine parts catalogs and search by part number will help you!
Cheers
Well familiar with both sites--and a few others. That said, Mitsubishi doesn't list bushings for the control arms of these trucks regardless of the market. If you've found a part number for them somewhere, they would have to be out of a TSB, or similar.
If it wasn't a TSB part number (which I'm not seeing a TSB for the V77W chassis concerning them) then maybe someone stumbled upon a bushing they DO offer from another model that works---but there's no Mitsubishi part number existing for the front control arm bushings according to Mitsubishi.
Yes.
The rear lower control arms and lateral arms (inboard) are offered (very limited at this point).
That said--after dealing with MItsu bushings for other cars, they look to be VERY similar to other aftermarket offerings (diameter/length).
There are also companies who specifically make them for this chassis. Installed correctly, they react like new stock bushings yet last much longer.
I wouldn't be turned off from using them.
I'd love to know which companies these are
for example: https://lusooverland.com/mitsubishi/montero-gen-3-2001-2006/steering-suspension/
Thanks. I noticed the polyurethane stuff on there, and actually already got some OEM strut bushings and spring pads from them.
I also noticed that a company named Febest seems to offer rubber bushings, including for the upper control arms. Here's a list of what they have for the late 3rd gens.
Automotive Aftermarket Parts Supplier | FEBEST Europe Distribution
The only official Febest automotive aftermarket supplier in Europe. The widest choice of rubber parts and other OEM compatible car parts.
febestparts.com
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Thanks. I noticed the polyurethane stuff on there, and actually already got some OEM strut bushings and spring pads from them.
I also noticed that a company named Febest seems to offer rubber bushings, including for the upper control arms. Here's a list of what they have for the late 3rd gens.
Automotive Aftermarket Parts Supplier | FEBEST Europe Distribution
The only official Febest automotive aftermarket supplier in Europe. The widest choice of rubber parts and other OEM compatible car parts.
SuperPro and Whiteline also offer some bushings as well.
Febest has been hit or miss when I've tried them over the years. To me, they're more of a "bargain brand".
Alright, ya'll might be convincing me to come around to poly bushings. The thing that kind of scares me off is their reputation for squeaking and the fact that I don't really want to tap for zerk fittings to allow regreasing. Have you had any noise issues with the ones you've used?