Parts for your 2009 Toyota Fortuner-Strut mounts

2009 Toyota Fortuner strut mounts — are they a thing?

Short answer: no. Based on Toyota’s own technical literature for the AN60-series Fortuner (the IMV platform shared with Hilux) — including the Toyota Repair Manual (Suspension section), the New Car Features guide, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue — the 2009 Fortuner does not use MacPherson struts up front, so it doesn’t have strut mounts in the usual sense. The front suspension is an independent double wishbone with a coil-over shock absorber, and the rear is a solid axle with coils and separate shocks. There’s no rotating strut top bearing plate in this setup.

Why that matters: in a MacPherson design, a “strut mount” is a rubber-insulated top plate that also houses a bearing, letting the whole strut turn as you steer. The Fortuner’s double wishbone arrangement steers on upper and lower ball joints, the shock doesn’t pivot with the wheels. Up top it uses a fixed rubber insulator/top plate for the coil-over — sometimes casually called a “strut top” — but it isn’t a true strut mount and contains no steering bearing.

Why Toyota didn’t use strut mounts here comes down to the platform’s design goals. The double wishbone layout suits a body-on-frame 4x4, gives better camber control over rough tracks, and is robust for towing and load-carrying. That geometry simply doesn’t need a strut-bearing mount.

What owners should look at instead:

• Front coil-over upper insulator/top plate and bushes: check for perished rubber, cracking, or a clunk over corrugations.
• Front shocks and springs: oil seepage or sagging ride height suggests it’s time for replacement.
• Fasteners at the top hat and lower control arm: ensure correct torque and no elongation of holes.
• Rear shock upper/lower bushes: common to harden or ovalise with outback kilometres.
• After any front-end work: book a wheel alignment to keep tyre wear tidy.

Technically minded? Toyota’s Service Information describes these parts as the front shock absorber insulator/cushion and spring seat/plate, not a strut mount. Many aftermarket listings use “strut mount” loosely for the Fortuner’s top plate, just know it’s a non-rotating mount without a bearing.

FAQs

Does a 2009 Toyota Fortuner have strut mounts?

No. The 2009 Fortuner uses a double wishbone front end with a coil-over shock, so there’s no MacPherson-style strut mount or bearing. Up top you’ll find a fixed rubber insulator/top plate that doesn’t rotate with steering.

What should be replaced instead of a strut mount on a 2009 Fortuner?

When refreshing the front end, focus on the coil-over’s upper insulator/top plate and bushes, the shocks themselves, sway bar links, and control arm bushes/ball joints. If the top rubber is cracked or you’ve got a knock over bumps, replace the insulator with the shocks.

Why do parts sites list “strut mounts” for a Fortuner?

It’s common shorthand. Many sellers call the coil-over top plate/insulator a “strut mount”, but it’s not a steering bearing plate. If buying, make sure it suits the AN60 Fortuner/Hilux coil-over and understand it’s a fixed mount, not a rotating strut bearing.