Parts for your 2008 Toyota Hiace-Strut mounts

2008 Toyota Hiace strut mounts — are they used?

Short answer: nope, a 2008 Toyota Hiace doesn’t run strut mounts. Technical references show the Hiace H200 series (2004–2019) uses a front double‑wishbone suspension with torsion bars and separate shock absorbers, plus a live rear axle with leaf springs. There’s no MacPherson strut up front, so there’s no strut top bearing or “strut mount” assembly to service. This comes straight from the Toyota Hiace 200 Series workshop manual (Front Suspension section) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for 2008 TRH/KDH variants, which list front shocks, bushes and insulators, but no strut mount/bearing. You’ll see the same call in professional data like Autodata’s suspension specs and major shock absorber catalogues, which catalog a standalone front shock for Hiace, not a strut.

Why no strut mounts? A strut mount exists on a MacPherson strut system where the shock/strut is a structural member locating the wheel and steering axis, the mount at the body includes a bearing to let the strut rotate when steering. The Hiace’s double‑wishbone design locates the wheel with upper and lower control arms, while the shock only damps movement. Because the shock isn’t carrying those structural and rotational duties, the vehicle doesn’t need a strut mount.

What should owners and techs look at instead on a 2008 Hiace?

• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Front torsion bar anchors/adjusters and their bushes
• Stabiliser (sway) bar D‑bushes and link rods
• Front shock absorbers and their rubber bushes/insulators
• Rear leaf spring bushes, shackles and rear shocks

Common symptoms like front‑end clunks, vague steering or uneven tyre wear are usually down to tired control arm bushes, ball joints, sway bar links, or worn shock bushes—not any “strut mount”. A good rule of thumb is to inspect these items every 20,000–30,000 kilometres (or sooner if it works hard on rough roads), replace cracked or oil‑soaked rubber, and always tighten arm and bush hardware at normal ride height. After front‑end work, book a wheel alignment to keep it tracking straight and save the tyres.

A quick note for modifiers: some custom camper or performance builds may retrofit coil‑over struts. In that special case, a top mount/bearing is part of the kit. In stock form, though, a 2008 Hiace simply doesn’t use strut mounts.

Technical sources referenced:

• Toyota Hiace 200 Series (H200) Workshop Manual – Front Suspension specifications and procedures
• Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (2008 Hiace TRH/KDH) – front suspension parts listing
• Professional service data (e.g., Autodata) and major shock absorber catalogues for Hiace H200

FAQs

Does a 2008 Toyota Hiace have strut mounts?
No. The H200 Hiace uses double‑wishbone front suspension with separate shocks, so there’s no MacPherson strut and no strut mount/bearing assembly.

What parts are often mistaken for strut mounts on a Hiace?
The upper shock absorber insulator (rubber bush and washer) can be mistaken for a strut top. It cushions the shock but isn’t a rotating strut mount with a bearing.

What should be replaced to fix front‑end clunks on a 2008 Hiace?
Start with control arm bushes and ball joints, sway bar links and D‑bushes, and the shock absorber bushes or the shocks themselves. After repairs, get a wheel alignment.