Parts for your 2007 Lexus Is-Strut mounts

2007 Lexus IS strut mounts — not a thing on this model

For the 2007 Lexus IS (XE20 series: IS 250/IS 350), conventional strut mounts aren’t used. Factory technical sources — the Lexus IS New Car Features (NCF) manual for the XE20 platform and the Lexus/Toyota Workshop Repair Manual — specify a double‑wishbone front suspension and a multi‑link rear. Because the car doesn’t use MacPherson struts at either end, there’s no rotating strut top bearing assembly to replace. Instead, it runs shock absorbers with upper mounts/insulators that don’t steer.

Why Lexus didn’t fit strut mounts comes down to the suspension architecture. Double‑wishbone up front gives better camber control and steering precision, while the rear multi‑link balances ride and grip. In both cases, the damper’s upper attachment is a rubberised shock mount/insulator, not a strut top with a bearing. So, while some aftermarket catalogues loosely call them “strut mounts”, the correct parts on this car are shock absorber mounts/insulators.

Owners chasing knocks or looseness should focus on the real wear items for this chassis: front and rear shock mounts/insulators, control arm bushes and ball joints, and stabiliser (sway bar) links and bushes. As part of routine servicing in Australia and New Zealand, it’s sensible to inspect these at each service interval (about every 10,000–15,000 km), and replace the shock mounts whenever the dampers are changed. A wheel alignment should follow any suspension work.

• Clunking or rattling over small bumps from the towers
• Perished, cracked or separated rubber in the shock top insulator
• Oil weeping from a damper or a loose upper fastener
• Excessive float, poor rebound control, or uneven tyre wear

Aftermarket note: many coilover kits for the XE20 include their own top mounts (often pillow‑ball or camber plates). These aren’t OEM “strut mounts” but serve as the coilover’s upper interface. They can add NVH and may require certification depending on state or NZTA requirements, so it’s worth checking before fitting.

Shopping tip: if someone’s ordering “strut mounts” for a 2007 Lexus IS, what they actually need are front or rear shock absorber upper mounts/insulators and the associated hardware, specified by VIN to ensure the correct fitment.

FAQs

Does a 2007 Lexus IS have strut mounts?
Not in the traditional sense. Factory Lexus documentation for the XE20 shows double‑wishbone front and multi‑link rear suspension, not MacPherson struts. That means no rotating strut top bearing assembly.

Instead, the car uses shock absorber upper mounts/insulators that don’t steer. They’re sometimes mislabeled as “strut mounts” in aftermarket listings, but they’re a different design.

What should be replaced instead of strut mounts on a 2007 Lexus IS?
Look at the front and rear shock absorber mounts/insulators, the shocks themselves, control arm bushes and ball joints, and stabiliser links and bushes. These are the common wear points that cause clunks and looseness.

Plan to inspect them at each service and consider replacement around higher mileages or when symptoms appear. Always follow up with a wheel alignment after suspension work.

Do coilovers change whether strut mounts are needed on this car?
Coilover kits often come with their own top mounts (pillow‑ball or camber plates). Those act like a top mount for the coilover but aren’t the OEM strut mount type because the car isn’t a MacPherson‑strut design.

They can sharpen response but may add noise and vibration. In Australia and New Zealand, check compliance or certification requirements before installing.