Parts for your 2005 Toyota Altezza-Strut mounts

Are strut mounts used on the 2005 Toyota Altezza?

Short answer: a traditional MacPherson-style strut mount isn’t used on the 2005 Toyota Altezza. According to Toyota/Lexus technical references for the XE10 platform (New Car Features manual for XE10, the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue, and the Lexus IS200/IS300/Altezza workshop manual suspension sections), the Altezza runs double wishbone suspension front and rear. With double wishbones, the damper and spring are mounted to the body via a rubber “suspension support” or top insulator, but the steering rotation happens through the knuckle and ball joints — not through a strut tower bearing. That’s why there’s no conventional strut mount with a built‑in bearing like you’d find on a MacPherson setup.

So when people say “2005 Toyota Altezza strutmounts”, what they usually need are the shock absorber upper mounts/insulators rather than a true strut top bearing. These upper mounts cushion noise and vibration and locate the damper, but they don’t carry steering loads or rotate.

• Front: Suspension support (shock absorber upper mount/insulator)
• Rear: Shock absorber upper insulator and associated cushions
• No strut-top steering bearing: steering loads are handled by the upright and ball joints

Why didn’t Toyota use strut mounts here? The double wishbone layout gives better camber control and sharper handling — perfect for the Altezza’s sporty brief. Because the upright is guided by upper and lower arms, there’s no need for a steering bearing in the top mount, so a classic “strut mount” isn’t part of the design.

Still, those shock top mounts/insulators are wear items. On Aussie and Kiwi roads, they can harden or crack over time, leading to knocks over bumps, a thunk on take-off or braking, or extra vibration through the body. If fitting new dampers, it’s smart to replace the upper mounts at the same time.

1. Inspection: check the upper mounts/insulators every 20,000–30,000 km for perished rubber, cracking, or play. Look for torn dust boots and tired bump stops while you’re there.
2. Replacement: do them in axle pairs (both fronts or both rears) to keep the car balanced. Use quality parts to avoid NVH gremlins.
3. Torque and orientation: follow workshop manual specs, some mounts are handed or have alignment marks.
4. After work: book a wheel alignment. Even though the mount isn’t a strut bearing, any suspension disturb can nudge camber/toe on a double wishbone car.
5. Mods: running coilovers? Use the correct top hats/mounts for the damper brand, and keep an eye on compliance for WOF/roadworthy checks.

Bottom line for anyone searching “2005toyotaaltezza strutmounts”: the car doesn’t use a classic strut top bearing, but it does have upper shock mounts/insulators that should be inspected and replaced as needed to keep things tight and quiet.

FAQs

Do 2005 Toyota Altezzas actually have strut mounts?

Not in the MacPherson sense. The XE10 Altezza uses double wishbone front and rear, so there’s no rotating strut top bearing. Instead it has shock absorber upper mounts/insulators that isolate noise and support the damper.

What should someone order if a site lists “strut mounts” for an Altezza?

They’ll want the front suspension support (shock absorber upper mount/insulator) or the rear shock upper insulator and cushions. Many catalogues call these “strut mounts” even though they don’t contain a steering bearing.

When should the Altezza’s upper mounts/insulators be replaced?

Inspect every 20,000–30,000 km or when fitting new shocks. Replace if the rubber is cracked, split, or transmitting knocks over bumps. Do them in pairs and get an alignment afterwards to keep tyre wear tidy.