SUBJECT:

STRUT BEARING NOISE - REVISED

NO.:

TSB-23-33-002REV3

DATE:

April 2025

MODEL:

2022-24 Outlander

CIRCULATE TO:

[ ] GENERAL MANAGER

[ X ] PARTS MANAGER

[ X ] TECHNICIAN

[ X ] SERVICE ADVISOR

[ X ] SERVICE MANAGER

[ X ] WARRANTY PROCESSOR

[ ] SALES MANAGER

This bulletin supersedes TSB-23-33-002REV2 issued November 2024 to update the Affected Vehicles,
Procedure, Parts and Warranty Information sections. Revisions are italicized and indicated by ◄

PURPOSE

This TSB provides direction when front strut noise is heard while turning the steering wheel.
The creaking or popping sound may be caused by the strut bearing support which can become
deformed by the loaded spring and cause noise during use of the steering wheel.
On a customer complaint basis and only for the strut which has noise, replace both the strut
bearing and spring with countermeasure parts.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

2022-2024 Outlander (VIN cut-off JA4J3WA83RZ090153 / 10/21/2024)

"

AFFECTED SERVICE MANUAL
• 2022-2024 Outlander Service Manual, Volume 3, Group 33 - Front Suspension

PROCEDURE

"

Please refer to this bulletin and the affected Service Manual, Volume 3, Group 33 - Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation, Front Coil Spring and Strut as necessary.
Note: Impact tools are not recommended for use on the spring compressor. Instead, use
hand tools.
Test drive vehicle upon completion of procedure.

Copyright 2025, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
The information contained in this bulletin is subject to change. For the latest version of this document, go to the
Mitsubishi Dealer Link, MEDIC, or the Mitsubishi Service Information website (www.mitsubishitechinfo.com).

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1. Only on the strut which has the noise and on a customer complaint basis:
• Replace the BEARING, STRUT SUPPORT and SPRING, FRONT with a new countermeasure
part.
• Replace the PAD, SPRING UPPER and INSULATOR ASSY, STRUT.
o Please note: If you hear the noise from the left side, only the left side needs to be
replaced.

CHECKING FOR ABNORMAL NOISE
Perform steering maneuvers such as full lock turns while stationary, or right and left turns,
and check/listen for any noise coming from the front strut bearings.

BEARING

Following the Service Manual, remove the parts and, after reviewing the assembly
precautions that begin on page 4 of this bulletin, assemble the countermeasure SPRING,
BEARING, PAD SPRING UPPER, INSULATOR ASSY and Nuts.

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IDENTIFYING THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS
Install the front coil spring so that the paint markings are located at 1.25 turns from the
bottom end.
New
Part Number

Old

54010W480P (4WD)
54010W490P (2WD)

54010W300P (4WD)
54010W310P (2WD)

Marking
location [A]
Example: Spring, Front/54010W480P/Orange-White
Identification

4/2/2025

54010W480P: Orange-White
54010W490P: Green-White

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54010W300P: Orange-Purple
54010W310P: Green-Purple

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ASSEMBLY PRECAUTIONS
1. When replacing parts, ensure that the work is carried out by two or more people.
Additionally, prepare two sets of dual-axis spring compressors as described in the
Workshop manual, and perform the work using three axes.
Using a three-axis spring compressor ensures the coil spring aligns properly with the
strut, preventing misalignment and uneven load on the bearing
Upper coil
spring seat

Central axis of
the middle
part of the coil
spring

4/2/2025

Central axis of
the upper coil
spring seat

Middle part
of the coil
spring

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COMPONENT ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
1. Marking the Coil Spring
View the component from the direction of VIEW D and mark positions a and b (
component from the direction of VIEW E and mark position c ( ).

). View the

Marking Positions:
【〇】
a: Position aligned with the central axis
of the strut
b: Position 180° opposite, aligned with
the central axis of the strut

D

【△】
ⅽ: Position aligned with the central axis
of the strut from direction E

E
Top surface of the
strut

VIEW D

VIEW E

NOTE: Marking should align with the
central axis of the strut

2. Installing the Coil Spring Compressor
Install the spring compressor so that it passes over the marked position “a”, ensuring the
compressor hook is perpendicular to the spring. (Do the same for position “b”.) Then,
compress evenly on both sides until the top of the strut rod extends approximately 15mm (see
enlarged photo below).
3. Installing the Third-Axis Spring Compressor:

Approx .
15mm

Install the third-axis spring compressor so that it passes over the marked position.

compression

Enlarged
photo

a

c

NOTE:
• Be aware with the installation position of the compressor, as the first 0.75 turns from
the upper end of the coil spring will contact the upper pad.
• Ensure the compressor at the marked position is installed perpendicular to the spring.

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4. Central Axis Alignment
Due to the misalignment between the central axis of the upper coil spring seat and the central axis
of the middle part of the spring, compressing with two axes causes the upper coil spring seat's
central axis to deviate from the strut's central axis, moving closer as indicated by the orange arrow.
To correct this, compress the third axis ( )) until the central axis of the upper coil spring seat aligns
with the strut's central axis. Then, gradually compress all three axes evenly while maintaining the
alignment of both central axes.

Before compression

Due to the inclination of the central
axis of the upper coil spring seat
relative to the central axis of the strut,
the strut rod and the upper coil spring
seat move closer together.

After compression

Align the central axis by compressing the
third axis installed in the direction of the
inclination of the central axis of the upper
coil spring seat.

5. Releasing the Spring Compressor
a.
b.

Carefully release the three axes evenly and gradually to ensure the central axis of the
upper coil spring seat does not deviate from the central axis of the strut.
Install the strut insulator, strut bearing, and upper pad. While lightly pressing the top
of the strut insulator by hand, release until the upper pad contacts the upper coil
spring seat. If there is no contact, remove the upper pad and other components, and
repeat steps a and b.

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6. Tightening the Strut Upper End Nut and checking the position of the Lower Pad at
the Strut Lower End
After the strut upper end nut is tightened in position of step 5 (Releasing the Spring
Compressor), the position of the lower pad at the strut lower end strut and the coil
spring will be fixed. In this case, if the lower coil spring seat interferes strongly with the
lower pad in the red line area as below, it may cause misalignment of the coil spring axis.
Therefore, before tightening the strut upper end nut, please move and set the coil
spring to make sure the lower coil spring seat should not interfere strongly with lower
pad in the red line area.
After that, tighten the nut at the upper end of the strut, ensuring the central axis of the
strut bearing and upper pad do not deviate from the central axis of the strut.

Stopper
Lower Pad

Coil Spring
The lower spring should not interfere strongly with lower pad in the red line area.
NOTE:

Ensure that the coil spring does not strongly interfere with the upper pad in the
axial direction and that there is no gap between the coil spring and the upper
pad in the axial direction.

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7. Checking the Installation Positioning
As shown in Photo G, ensure that a 0.1mm thickness gauge does not fit in the gap
between the strut bearing and the upper pad at the position 0.5 turns from the upper
end of the coil spring (red line area in the lower part of the upper pad diagram 1).
If the 0.1mm thickness gauge fits, the load distribution of the coil spring is uneven,
which can damage the strut bearing (causing abnormal noise). In such a case, return to
step 2 and redo the process.
Additionally, inspect the lower part of the upper pad and ensure that the coil spring
does not significantly interfere with the upper pad in the axial direction (red line area in
the lower part of the upper pad diagram 2).
If they significantly interfere, repeat step 2 (Installing the Coil Spring Compressor)
again.

Lower
side of
Upper
Pad

Upper side of
Upper Pad

Stopper

Coil
Spring

Coil
Spring

0.5
Turn

The spring should not interfere
significantly with upper pad in
the red line area.

Lower Part of the
Upper Pad Diagram
(1)

Lower View of Upper Pad (2)

Photo G

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FRONT SUSPENSION

8

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
FRONT COIL SPRING AND STRUT
Exploded View
SEC. 401
79 (8.1, 58)
21.5 (2.2, 16)

105 (11, 77)

CF100AGVAA00USA
Piston rod lock nut

Mounting insulator

Mounting bearing

Bound bumper

Upper rubber seat

Coil spring

Lower rubber seat

Strut

Steering knuckle

: N⋅m (kg-m, ft-lb)
: Always replace after every disassembly.

Removal and Installation
REMOVAL
1.Remove cowl top cover. Refer to COWL TOP.
2.Remove tires. Refer to Removal and InstallationROAD WHEEL TIRE ASSEMBLY.
3.Remove wheel hub lock nut.
•

For 2WD: Refer to FRONT WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE.

•

For AWD: Refer to FRONT WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE.

4.Remove brake hose lock prate. Refer to FRONT.
5.Remove front wheel sensor. Refer to FRONT WHEEL SENSOR.
6.Remove brake hose bracket. Refer to FRONT.

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FRONT SUSPENSION

9

7.Remove brake caliper assembly. Hang brake caliper assembly in a place where it will not interfere with work. Refer to BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY
CAUTION:
Never depress brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.

8.Remove disc rotor.
•

For 2WD: Refer to FRONT WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE.

•

For AWD: Refer to FRONT WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE.

9.Remove steering outer socket.
•

For 2WD: Refer to FRONT WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE.

•

For AWD: Refer to FRONT WHEEL HUB AND KNUCKLE.

10.Remove trans verse link mounting bolt and nut. Refer to TRANSVERSE LINK.
11.Separate stabilizer connecting rod from strut assembly. Refer to FRONT STABILIZER.
12.Remove the steering knuckle and strut assembly.
13.Separate the connection of strut assembly and steering knuckle as follows.
CAUTION:
Be sure to keep the following procedure because steering knuckle may be damaged when you enlarge the gap of steering knuckle too much.