Parts for your 2004 Toyota Highlander-Exhaust mount

2004 Toyota Highlander (Kluger) Exhaust Mounts

Yes — the 2004 Toyota Highlander (sold as Kluger in Australia and New Zealand) absolutely uses exhaust mounts. Toyota’s factory service information (TIS) for Exhaust Pipe – Removal/Installation specifies supporting the system with “brackets and rubber insulators,” and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for the 2004 Highlander lists multiple “Insulator, Exhaust Pipe Support” items along the system. Major aftermarket catalogues also supply replacement rubber hangers for this model, confirming they’re a standard, fitted component.

On this Highlander, exhaust mounts are those tough rubber insulators and their metal brackets that suspend the exhaust from the body. Their job is to isolate vibration, keep the pipe and muffler centred in the tunnel, and allow controlled movement as the drivetrain twists and the system heats and cools. Good mounts prevent knocks on the floorpan, protect flex joints and flanges, and keep the tailpipe sitting neatly in the bumper cut-out.

Typical signs they’re due for attention include: a dull thud over bumps, the tailpipe sitting off-centre, visible perishing or cracks in the rubber, rattles at idle, or fresh contact marks on heat shields. If a mount lets go completely, the system can sag and stress other components — not ideal on a daily driver.

• Inspection: Have the mounts checked at each service or every 20,000 km. Look for cracks, elongation of the holes, or hardened, shiny rubber.
• Replacement: Support the exhaust with a jack and block, then swap one mount at a time to avoid twisting the system. Use the correct style and length insulator for each location — the Toyota EPC shows positions differ along the mid‑pipe and rear muffler.
• Fasteners and fit: Refit brackets to clean threads and tighten to workshop spec from the service manual. Make sure the tailpipe clears the bumper and heat shields with a finger’s gap all round.
• Parts choice: OEM-style EPDM rubber insulators suit most owners, uprated polyurethane can be firmer but may transmit more vibration.
• Aftercare: After a few heat cycles, recheck clearances and that the system sits neutral (not preloaded) in the hangers.

Keeping the mounts fresh is a small, affordable job that pays off with a quieter cabin, fewer rattles, and longer life for the rest of the exhaust on a 2004 Highlander/Kluger.

Popular questions

How many exhaust mounts does a 2004 Toyota Highlander have?
It varies with engine and drivetrain, but most 2004 Highlanders use around three to five rubber hangers from the front pipe through to the rear muffler. The exact count and positions are shown in the Toyota parts catalogue under “Insulator, Exhaust Pipe Support.”

Can universal exhaust hangers be used on this model?
Universal hangers can work in a pinch, but the Highlander’s mounts differ in length and hole spacing by location. Using the wrong style can tilt the muffler or cause contact with heat shields. It’s best to match the OE shape and durometer where possible.

What causes exhaust mounts to fail on a Highlander?
Age, heat cycling, oil contamination, and constant load from a heavy tow or rough roads will harden or crack the rubber. Once the holes elongate, the exhaust starts to sag and knock, which accelerates wear on the neighbouring mounts.