Parts for your 2005 Lexus Is-Strut mounts

Do 2005 Lexus IS models use strut mounts?

Short answer: no. For 2005, the Lexus IS uses a double‑wishbone front suspension (and a multi‑link/double‑wishbone style rear), not a MacPherson strut setup. Because there’s no strut leg that carries the wheel hub and turns for steering, a traditional “strut mount” with an integrated bearing isn’t used on this vehicle.

What it does have are upper shock absorber mounts (often called insulators or top mounts) that locate and cushion the coilover shock assembly in the tower. These mounts don’t need a steering bearing because the IS steers via upper and lower control arm ball joints, not by rotating a strut. That’s why parts catalogues sometimes confuse things: some list “strut mounts” for the IS, but the correct part on this car is a shock absorber upper mount/insulator.

Why Lexus went this way comes down to handling and ride. The double‑wishbone layout gives better camber control through suspension travel and a more consistent tyre contact patch, which suits the IS’s balanced, sporty character. With that geometry, a separate shock and control arms do the work that a strut and strut mount would handle on a MacPherson car.

If there’s a clunk over bumps or a dull thud from the top of the front suspension, it’s worth checking the following rather than hunting for a “strut mount”:

• Front shock absorber upper insulator/top mount and spring seat rubber
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Sway bar (stabiliser) links and D‑bushes
• Rear shock mounts if the noise is from the back

Servicing tip: have the shock top insulators and control arm bushes inspected every 20,000–30,000 km or at each service if driving on rough roads. Look for perished rubber, torn bushes, or metal‑to‑metal contact. When replacing shocks, it’s smart to renew the insulators and spring seats at the same time for a quieter, tighter front end. If ordering parts, ask for “front shock absorber upper mount/insulator for 2005 Lexus IS” to avoid the strut‑mount mix‑up.

Technical sources supporting the above:

• Toyota/Lexus Repair Manual (Chassis) — Lexus IS200/IS300 (XE10): Front suspension specified as double‑wishbone, shock absorber upper insulator used, not a strut mount (Toyota Motor Corporation, model years 1999–2005).
• Lexus IS (GSE20/USE20) New Car Features (NCF): Front suspension detailed as double‑wishbone with coil spring and shock absorber, steering via ball joints, no MacPherson strut mount (Toyota Motor Corporation, 2006 MY technical book).
• Haynes Workshop Manual — Lexus IS/Toyota Altezza 1999–2005: Suspension chapter confirms double‑wishbone front architecture and separate shock top mounts without steering bearings.

Popular questions about 2005 Lexus IS “strut mounts”

Does a 2005 Lexus IS actually have strut mounts?
No. It uses a double‑wishbone front end, so there’s no MacPherson strut or strut top bearing. The equivalent wear item you might be thinking of is the front shock absorber upper insulator/top mount.

What part should be replaced if I’m hearing top‑end front suspension knocks?
Start with the shock absorber upper insulator and spring seat rubbers, then check sway bar links, D‑bushes, and control arm bushes/ball joints. Any of these can cause knocks over bumps or during steering inputs.

Parts sites list a “strut top mount” for my IS — is that wrong?
It’s usually a naming mismatch. For the 2005 IS, the correct part is a shock absorber upper mount/insulator. It doesn’t include a steering bearing because the car doesn’t steer through a strut.