Parts for your 2005 Toyota Crown-Struts

2005 Toyota Crown struts: what’s actually fitted

For the mainstream 2005 Toyota Crown (S180 series — Royal, Athlete, and Majesta), MacPherson struts aren’t used. Technical references including Toyota’s New Car Features for the S180 Crown (2003–2008), the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), and the Crown/Majesta workshop manuals describe a front double-wishbone layout with a separate shock absorber and coil spring assembly, plus a multi-link rear. Because the steering knuckle is located by upper and lower control arms rather than by a load-bearing strut tube, it’s not a strut-type front end.

There is one notable outlier: the Toyota Crown Comfort (the taxi-oriented model sold in the same era) runs a front MacPherson strut arrangement according to its service manual. That’s a different platform to the S180 luxury sedan. So if someone’s driving a 2005 Crown Royal/Athlete/Majesta, “struts” aren’t the go, if it’s a Crown Comfort taxi, then yes, it does have front struts.

Why didn’t Toyota use struts on the S180 Crown? The double-wishbone front end suits a rear-drive luxury sedan that chases refined ride, sharp camber control, and stable tyre contact. By separating wheel location duties (upper/lower arms) from the damper/spring, engineers can fine-tune geometry for better steering feel and grip without the space compromises of a tall strut tower. It also helps packaging for a longitudinal engine and a lower bonnet line, and in Majesta variants with air suspension, it integrates neatly with the platform’s NVH and ride targets called out in Toyota’s NCF and repair literature.

What should owners look after instead of “struts”? The Crown’s service schedule focuses on dampers, control arm bushes and ball joints, and stabiliser (sway bar) links. Telltales include a bouncy or floaty feel, nose dive, cupped tyre wear, clunks over sharp bumps, or oily film on a shock body. Most workshops in Australia and New Zealand will inspect these items at regular services and suggest replacements typically somewhere between 80,000–120,000 km depending on roads and load. Any suspension work should be followed by a four-wheel alignment to keep tyre wear tidy and steering true.

• Front: double wishbone with separate shock and coil spring, plus upper/lower control arms
• Rear: multi-link (air suspension on some Majesta models)
• Service focus: shocks, arm bushes/ball joints, top mounts, sway bar links, then alignment

Does a 2005 Toyota Crown have struts?

For the S180 Crown (Royal/Athlete/Majesta), no — it uses a double-wishbone front end and multi-link rear, so there aren’t MacPherson struts. Technical sources like Toyota’s New Car Features and the EPC list separate shocks and arms, not a strut assembly.

The exception is the Crown Comfort taxi model of the same era, which does run front struts on its different chassis. If it’s a Comfort, think struts, if it’s an S180 luxury sedan, think shocks, arms, and bushes.

How can someone tell which 2005 Crown they’ve got?

Check the model code: S180-series Crowns are usually GRS18x/UZS18x. Crown Comforts typically carry codes like YXS/SXS. Visual cues help too — Comforts look like classic taxis with simpler interiors, S180 sedans have a more upmarket cabin and sleeker bodywork.

Under the front guard, a visible upper control arm is another clue you’re looking at the S180’s double-wishbone setup rather than a MacPherson strut.

What parts get replaced when the front end feels bouncy or clunky on an S180 Crown?

Workshops will usually start with front and rear shock absorbers if damping’s faded, then check upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints, plus stabiliser links and the shock top mounts. Any wear here can cause knocks, tramlining, or patchy tyre wear.

After parts are replaced, a proper four-wheel alignment keeps it tracking straight and protects those tyres across Aussie and Kiwi roads.