Parts for your 2002 Toyota Crown-Struts

2002 Toyota Crown — Are Struts Used, and What Owners Should Know

For the 2002 Toyota Crown (S170 series — common chassis codes include JZS171/173/175 and UZS171/173/175), “struts” aren’t the go. Referencing Toyota’s New Car Features for the S170 series, the factory Repair Manual, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) — plus major shock absorber catalogues from KYB and Monroe — the Crown of this era runs a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear (with coil springs or optional air suspension on some grades), not MacPherson struts.

Why no struts? In a double wishbone layout the damper doesn’t act as a structural member to locate the wheel like a MacPherson strut does. Instead, upper and lower control arms manage geometry and wheel location, while the shock absorber and spring handle damping and ride height. Toyota chose this setup on the Crown to prioritise ride comfort, stable handling, and precise camber control — very on-brand for a rear-drive luxury saloon. It also packages nicely around the inline-six and V8 options. Note: the taxi-oriented Crown Comfort is a different platform and may use struts up front, but that’s not the 2002 Crown discussed here.

If someone’s been hunting “struts” for a 2002 Toyota Crown and hitting dead ends, that’s why. What they actually want to service or replace are:

• Front shock absorbers (damper/coil assemblies), plus upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Rear shock absorbers and multi-link arms/bushes (or air springs, dampers and height sensors on air-suspension models)
• Top insulators/mounts and bump stops where applicable

Typical clues it’s time for work include a floaty or bouncy ride, nose-dive under brakes, uneven tyre wear, clunks over bumps, or oil seepage from the shocks. A quick bounce test, a look for leaks, and a road test over ripples usually tells the story. Many owners see best results refreshing dampers and tired bushes somewhere between 80,000 and 150,000 kilometres, depending on roads and loads. After any arm or damper work, a proper wheel alignment is a must to keep tyres happy. For air-suspension variants, add leak checks on the air springs, inspect height sensors and linkages, and listen for a compressor running too often.

• Popular questions about 2002 Toyota Crown “struts”

Does a 2002 Toyota Crown have struts?
No. Technical references — Toyota’s New Car Features (S170), the factory Repair Manual, and the Toyota EPC — specify a double wishbone front and multi-link rear setup, not MacPherson struts. Some parts listings use “strut” loosely, but the Crown uses separate control arms with shocks and springs.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a 2002 Crown?
Look for front and rear shock absorbers, upper and lower control arms (or rear multi-link arms), bushes, ball joints, top insulators and bump stops. On air-suspension cars, add air springs/bags, dampers and height sensors to the checklist.

How can an owner tell the shocks or arms need doing?
Signs include excessive bounce, knocking over bumps, pulling or wandering, uneven tyre wear, and visible oil on the dampers. A WOF or rego inspection may flag play in ball joints or perished bushes. Replace worn parts and get an alignment straight after.