Symptoms
A sagging rear, scraping side steps or towbar, and a floaty or clunky rear end. Several NM/NP owners say the rear sags with age, and one ExplorOz owner fixed scraping with a 40 mm ARB lift.
The fix, step by step
- Support the body and rear subframe, remove the rear shocks, and drop the control arms enough to release the coil springs.
- Fit new coils matched to your load (Old Man Emu offers medium- and heavy-duty rear coils for the NM) and new shocks.
- Replace worn control-arm bushings while it's apart.
- Torque the suspension bolts at ride height, not hanging, then get a four-wheel alignment.
Tools & part numbers
- Jack and stands
- spring compressor if needed
- torque wrench
- bushing press or puller
- alignment afterwards.
Where to buy the parts
ARB/OME rear coil spring, Pajero NM (medium duty)Hurreys Performance ↗Amazon ↗
OME Nitrocharger Plus rear shock, Pajero NMHurreys Performance ↗Amazon ↗
Whiteline rear lower control arm bushing, NM-NPHurreys Performance ↗Amazon ↗
Suspension parts, 2004 Montero 3.8 V6RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero (Third Generation) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.