Parts for your 2006 Lexus Is-Strut mounts

2006 Lexus IS strut-mounts: what’s actually fitted

The short answer: traditional strut-mounts aren’t used on the 2006 Lexus IS (IS250/IS350, XE20). Technical references including the Lexus New Car Features manual, the Toyota/Lexus Repair Manual, and the Electronic Parts Catalogue show the IS runs a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear. Because there’s no MacPherson strut up front, there isn’t a load-bearing, steering-rotation “strut top mount” with a bearing. Instead, the dampers use rubberised upper supports/insulators that don’t steer.

Why’s that important? On a MacPherson setup, the strut top mount carries vehicle weight and allows the strut to turn with the steering via an integrated bearing. The 2006 IS routes steering and vertical loads through the upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, so the shock absorber’s top mount is simply an isolator to keep noise and vibration down. Out back, the multi-link arrangement also uses separate shock mounts/insulators, not strut-mounts.

This is why parts catalogues can be confusing: some listings call the IS’s front “suspension support” or “shock mount” a strut-mount. It’s not a steering-bearing type mount, but it does similar duty in holding the shock and cushioning impacts.

What should owners and techs service instead?

• Front shock absorber upper support/insulator and cushions (replace if cracked, perished, or noisy).
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints (they carry the big loads and set geometry).
• Rear shock mounts/insulators and control arm bushes.
• Coil spring insulators (front and rear) if torn or squashed.
• Stabiliser (sway bar) links and bushes for clunks over bumps.

Good practice for Aussie and Kiwi roads: inspect these pieces every 20,000 km or 12 months, replace rubber components in axle pairs, and check wheel alignment after any control arm work or when chasing tyre wear. If removing the front shock assembly only, alignment usually stays close, but a check is still worth it. Tell-tales for tired mounts and bushes include clunks on sharp bumps, a thud on take-off/stop, vague steering feel, cupped tyres, and oil seepage from dampers. Go for quality OEM or reputable aftermarket parts and torque everything at normal ride height to avoid bush preload.

Bottom line: while “strut-mounts” aren’t a thing on the 2006 Lexus IS, its shock mounts/insulators and control arm hardware are absolutely service items that keep the car riding tight and quiet.

Popular questions

Does a 2006 Lexus IS have strut-mounts?
Not in the MacPherson strut sense. The 2006 IS uses double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear, so there’s no steering-bearing strut top. It uses shock absorber upper supports/insulators instead. Technical literature (Lexus NCF, Repair Manual, EPC) confirms this layout.

What should be replaced instead of strut-mounts on a 2006 IS?
Front and rear shock mounts/insulators, coil spring insulators, and—most critically—control arm bushes and ball joints. These parts handle the loads and noise isolation that a strut-mount would do on a MacPherson car.

How can someone tell if the shock top mount/insulator is worn?
Listen for a knock over speed humps or driveway entries, feel for a dull thud on sharp bumps, and look for cracked rubber or a sagged mount when the shock is out. If any control arms are replaced at the same time, book an alignment to protect tyres and handling.