Parts for your 2003 Toyota Crown-Strut mounts

2003 Toyota Crown strut mounts: what’s actually fitted

For the 2003 Toyota Crown (S170 late models and the new-for-2003 S180 series), traditional MacPherson strut mounts aren’t used. Technical sources list the Crown’s front suspension as a double wishbone design with a separate shock absorber and coil spring, and the rear as multi-link. That setup doesn’t require a strut top mount with an integrated bearing like you’d find on a MacPherson-strut car. See Toyota Crown S170 Repair Manual – Chassis, Front Suspension, Toyota Crown S180 New Car Features (NCF) – Chassis, and Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) front suspension diagrams for layout and component callouts.

Why no strut mounts? In a MacPherson system, the strut itself carries vertical load and locates the wheel, so a strut mount and bearing sit at the top to allow steering rotation and isolate vibration. The Crown’s double wishbone front uses upper and lower control arms to locate the wheel, while the shock and spring manage damping and ride height only. The shock’s top is secured with a simple insulator/bush and mount bracket rather than a load‑bearing, rotating strut mount/bearing assembly.

Owners chasing knocks, creaks or vague steering on a 2003 Crown should look beyond “strut mounts” and instead inspect these usual suspects:

• Front shock absorber upper insulators and bushes
• Front tension rod (strut bar) bushes
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Rear multi‑link arm bushes and toe/camber links

Good practice during servicing is to check for perished rubber, play at the ball joints, and oil seepage from the shocks. Road test for clunks over speed bumps, tramlining, or steering kickback. Any arm or bush replacement should be torqued at normal ride height, and a wheel alignment carried out to protect tyres and keep it tracking straight. Many drivers notice refreshingly tight, quiet ride quality once the front tension rod bushes and shock top insulators are renewed.

Note: A different model often confused with the Crown—the Crown Comfort (common taxi spec)—does use MacPherson struts and corresponding top mounts. That exception is documented in the Toyota Comfort Repair Manual – Chassis. For standard 2003 Crown Royal/Athlete models, the double wishbone/multi‑link architecture means “strut mounts” aren’t a fitted service item.

Popular questions about 2003 Toyota Crown strut mounts

Does a 2003 Toyota Crown have strut mounts?
No. The 2003 Crown (S170/S180) runs double wishbone front suspension, so it doesn’t use MacPherson strut mounts with bearings. Instead, it has a shock absorber top insulator/bush and separate control arms that locate the wheel.

What should be replaced instead of strut mounts on a 2003 Crown?
Focus on front shock top insulators, tension rod (strut bar) bushes, and control arm bushes/ball joints. At the back, inspect multi‑link arm bushes. If there are clunks, wandering, or uneven tyre wear, those items are prime candidates.

How can one spot worn front mounts or bushes on a Crown?
Listen for a knock over sharp bumps, feel for brake shudder or steering nibble, and check for inner‑edge tyre wear. With the vehicle lifted, look for cracked or oil‑soaked rubber and any free play at ball joints. Replacing tired bushes and shock insulators usually tightens everything up nicely.