Parts for your 2004 Toyota Hilux-Strut mounts

Are strut mounts used on the 2004 Toyota Hilux?

Short answer: no, the 2004 Toyota Hilux doesn’t use strut mounts. The front end on this model runs an independent double wishbone setup with a separate shock absorber — not a MacPherson strut — so there’s no strut top mount or strut bearing to service.

That conclusion lines up with well-known technical references. The Toyota Hilux Repair Manual for the N140/N150/N160/N170 series (1997–2004) details a double wishbone front suspension: torsion bar on most 4x4 utes and a coil-spring variation on some 4x2 models, with the shock absorber mounted separately. Steering pivot happens at the upper and lower ball joints, not at a strut top. The Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) exploded views for 2004 Hilux variants (e.g., LN167/KZN165) list upper and lower control arms, torsion bar, and a front shock with rubber bushes and washers — there’s no strut top mount assembly. Major aftermarket catalogues (KYB and Monroe) specify front shock part numbers for 2004 Hilux and do not list compatible top-mount kits or strut bearings. Gregory’s/Haynes manuals for 1997–2005 Hilux also describe front shock removal/refit using rubber bushes, again without any strut mount.

Because the Hilux doesn’t run a MacPherson strut, a strut mount simply isn’t part of the design. The shock absorber on this model doesn’t carry the ute’s corner loads in the same way a strut does, and it doesn’t act as a steering pivot. Instead, the load paths go through the control arms and ball joints, while the shock’s top is isolated with rubber bushes rather than a bearing-type mount.

So if someone’s chasing a front-end knock on a 2004 Hilux and thinking “strut mount”, they’ll want to look elsewhere. Common culprits include perished front shock bushes (top or bottom), worn upper or lower ball joints, tired control arm bushes, sway bar link/bush wear, or a leaking shock. During routine servicing, it’s worth checking for split rubber, oil weep from the shock body, uneven tyre wear, and play at the ball joints. Replace shock bushes or the complete shock if they’re cracked, flattened, or oil-soaked, and have the wheel alignment checked after any front-end work. Some parts sites casually call the front shock’s top insulator a “strut mount” on Hilux, but it’s not a true strut top and contains no bearing.

• Key technical sources referenced:
  • Toyota Hilux Repair Manual (N140/N150/N160/N170, 1997–2004), Suspension – Front (double wishbone, separate shock, no MacPherson strut)
  • Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for 2004 Hilux front suspension diagrams (no strut top/bearing assembly)
  • KYB and Monroe catalogues for 2004 Hilux (front shock listed, top-mount kits not applicable)
  • Gregory’s/Haynes Hilux 1997–2005 workshop manuals (shock uses rubber bushes, not a strut mount)

Good servicing tip: If it sounds like a strut-top knock, start with the front shock bushes and sway bar links, then inspect ball joints and control arm bushes. It saves time and gets the Hilux riding tight again without chasing a part it doesn’t actually have.

Popular questions about 2004 Toyota Hilux “strut mounts”

Do 2004 Hilux models have strut mounts or strut top bearings?

No. They use a double wishbone front end with a separate shock, so there’s no strut mount or bearing. The top of the shock is isolated by rubber bushes and washers. If a supplier lists a “strut mount” for a 2004 Hilux, it’s usually a naming mix-up for the shock’s top insulator/bush.

What’s usually causing a front-end clunk if it’s not the strut mount?

Most owners find it’s one or more of these: worn front shock bushes, a tired or leaking front shock, loose or worn sway bar links/bushes, or play in the upper/lower ball joints or control arm bushes. A quick check for perished rubber, oil on the shock body, and any free play with the wheels off the ground will point in the right direction.

Can a 2004 Hilux be converted to use a strut with a top mount?

There are aftermarket coilover options and conversion kits, but they don’t create a traditional MacPherson strut with a steering-bearing top mount. Any conversion that changes ride height or suspension geometry should be engineered, aligned, and checked for compliance with local AU/NZ regs before hitting the road.