QE-QF Pajero Sport DIY Suspension Fitting Guide
This fitting guide covers the Mitsubishi QE and QF Pajero Sport.
Legal note:
This suspension fitment guide is based on what we consider to be an ideal way to fit suspension to the specific vehicle model(s) this article is covering. It’s not necessarily the only way, nor should it be considered gospel. Suspension components are safety-critical items which must be fitted correctly, and they must be fitted by a person with an acceptable level of competence when it comes to working with vehicles and the tools used. If that isn’t you, then please have your vehicle’s new suspension fitted by a professional. No liability for issues arising from the incorrect installation of suspension components will be accepted by the owners of Loaded4X4.
Prepare And Work Smart
No, that's not a Pajero Sport, but you get the idea.
Measure your trim heights before you start.
It is recommended that trim height measurements are done from the centre of the wheel to the lip of the guard or factory flare. This keeps the measurement in line with the records kept by transport authorities and eliminates variance between wheel sizes. If the suspension supplier requires the measurement from the bottom of the wheel, keep both on record.
Make sure you fill out all of the necessary paperwork for warranty if that’s a requirement. Some suspension suppliers require you to record all measurements and part numbers for warranty purposes. One or two of those even require photographic evidence, which is probably about the time you should be questioning just how successful any warranty claim might be.
At this point it’s worthwhile mentioning that we have enough confidence in our suspension to offer a 3-year Unlimited-kilometre warranty and there are no hoops to jump through.
Top tip - If you don't already have a decent 19mm spanner, then buy one, preferably a ring spanner/open end combo and one with a bit of length to it so you can undo and re-tighten the upper control arm bolts relatively easily.
Parts Check - QE - QF Pajero Sport Lift Kit Components
The following list of parts are supplied as standard in our Pajero Sport lift kits that can be viewed here.
2 x Pre-assembled front struts and coils
2 x Shortened front upper bump/droop stops
2 x Rear Shocks Absorbers
2 x Rear Coil Springs
Not All Kits Are Created Equal
Shortened bump stops - Not all suspension suppliers include the shortened bump stops in their kit or they are sold as an optional extra. You'll need them to avoid a crap ride and loads of bump steer, so if you don't have them, source a set before fitting your lift or levelling kit.
Upper Control Arms and big lifts - Some brands of front struts won't fit with the stock upper control arms (ours do), something that becomes more of an issue, the higher you lift the front, as does bump stop clearance and CV angles. It's why we don't go higher than around 40mm with the Pajero Sport. If you choose to go higher, just be aware that there is considerably more expense and work involved if you want a Pajero Sport that drives well and is safe and reliable.
QE - QF Pajero Sport Suspension Fitting Step By Step Guide
Yep, that's a Triton but it's the same as the Pajero Sport up front.
Front suspension fitted on the ground
- Measure trim heights.
- Chock the rear wheels.
- Remove Upper control arm bump stops
- Jack the front suspension up until both front wheels are clear of the ground.
- Place a jack stand under the chassis on each side.
- Lower the vehicle back down allowing the front suspension to be at full droop.
- Remove both wheels.
- Undo and remove the lower sway bar link on both sides.
Then working one side at a time;
- Undo and remove ABS line at back of shock absorber (Put aside nut clip for reuse with new struts)
- Undo and remove bracket that holds ABS and brake line to the hub spindle.
- Undo and remove the lower strut bolt.
- Undo and remove the upper control arm bolts on both sides.
- Release the upper control arm which will move towards you and settle in position.
- Undo the three top strut nuts. Two are easy and one is part way inside the engine compartment and a little fiddlier to get to, but you should be able achieve this from the wheel well.
- Remove strut assembly.
- Fit the new strut into place and secure with one top strut nut done up finger tight.
- Fit the lower strut bolt. At this point you’ll understand why it was necessary to undo both ends of the sway bar – if you don’t you won’t be able to get this lower bolt through. A strong screw driver or thin pry bar may need to be used to align and locate the lower strut bolt. Once the lower bolt is in position, fit the nut and do it up hand tight only, it must never be tensioned in the air.
- Fit the other two top strut nuts and tighten all three.
- Refit the lower sway bar link. Jacking up the lower control arm will help make this easier.
- Refit the upper control arm, noting that you will need to use a jack, placed under the lower control arm to compress the coil enough to allow the upper control arm to slot into place. When the coil is compressed enough you'll be able to slot the upper control arm into place easily by hand, it won't need to be forced. Ensure the ABS line is routed correctly and bolted back in place under the upper control arm. The control arm bolts should only be finger tight at this point.
- Repeat this process on the other side, then refit the wheels, jack the vehicle up, remove the jack stands and then lower the vehicle to the ground.
- With the vehicle on the ground, bounce the front end up and down a few times to settle the various bushes and then;
- Tighten lower strut bolt on each side.
- Tighten the upper control arm bolts on each side.
Rear suspension fitted on the ground (one side at a time)
- Chock the front wheels.
- Undo the rear sway bar links.
- Undo the rear brake line clips top and bottom.
- Undo the lower shock absorber bolts.
- Undo the Panhard rod - jack vehicle slightly to assist with undoing the Panhard rod bolt.
- Jack up one side of the rear via the jacking point or chassis while monitoring the brake lines to ensure they aren't overstretched.
- Remove the coil spring.
- Undo the top shock absorber bolt and remove the shock absorber.
- Fit the new shock absorber to it's top mount only.
- Fit the new coil spring.
- Lower the vehicle back down and fit the shock absorber to the lower mount.
- Repeat the above process for the opposite side, then;
- Refit the Panhard rod.
- Refit the brake line clips.
- Refit the sway bar links.
Post fitment notes
A wheel alignment and headlight adjustment must be completed after the suspension is fitted. Some vehicles may also require the steering angle sensor to be reset to suit the new height and alignment. All of this can be done by your local tyre shop.
Re-tension and inspect all suspension components after 1,000km. Components like U-bolts will loosen as the spring pack settles in. It is also important to inspect the shock absorbers for any signs of leaking. If there is an issue with the seal on a shock absorber, it will normally be present after 1,000km of use.
QF Pajero Sport fitted with a Loaded4X4 40mm lift kit.