Parts for your 2012 Toyota Hiace-Strut mounts

2012 Toyota Hiace strut mounts — are they actually used?

The short answer: no. On the 2012 Toyota Hiace (H200 series), strut mounts aren’t a thing because the van doesn’t run MacPherson struts in the first place. According to Toyota’s service literature for the H200 Hiace (Front Suspension section, Toyota TIS) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue, the front suspension is a double-wishbone layout with torsion bar springs and a separate shock absorber. The rear is a live axle with leaf springs and separate shocks. Since there’s no strut assembly up front, there’s no upper strut mount or bearing plate to service.

Why didn’t Toyota use struts here? The double-wishbone-with-torsion-bar setup fits the Hiace’s cab-over body, gives robust load-carrying manners, and keeps service parts simple. A MacPherson strut needs a tall strut tower and a top bearing/mount to carry vehicle weight and allow steering rotation. The Hiace instead uses a compact upper arm and a shock that mounts via rubber bushes, so there’s no rotating strut shaft or strut top bearing in the design.

What should owners look at instead of strut mounts? For a 2012 Hiace, the usual service checkpoints are:

• Front shock absorber bushes and the shocks themselves (top and bottom mounts use rubber bushes, not strut bearings).
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints.
• Torsion bar anchors/adjusters and ride height settings.
• Front sway bar bushes and links.
• Rear leaf spring bushes, shackles, U-bolts and rear shocks.

These items line up with the factory procedures and parts listings for the H200. If there’s clunking over bumps, vague steering, uneven tyre wear, or extra body roll, it’s far more likely to be worn control arm bushes, ball joints, sway bar hardware, or tired shocks rather than anything to do with a “strut mount”.

Technical sources referenced:

• Toyota Hiace H200 Series Repair/Service Manual (Front Suspension and Rear Suspension chapters – double wishbone with torsion bar, separate shock, rear leaf spring with separate shock).
• Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (H200): front suspension listings show shock absorber assemblies and bushes, no MacPherson strut or strut mount components.
• Aftermarket workshop manuals for Hiace 2005–2019 (ANZ editions), Suspension chapters outlining the same layouts and service points.

FAQs

Does a 2012 Toyota Hiace have strut mounts?
No. The H200 Hiace uses a double-wishbone front end with torsion bars and separate shocks, so there’s no MacPherson strut and no strut mount/bearing at the top. Any top-of-shock hardware you see is just a bush and bracket, not a strut mount.

What should be checked instead of strut mounts on a 2012 Hiace?
Focus on front shock bushes, control arm bushes, ball joints, sway bar links and bushes, and the torsion bar setup for correct ride height. At the rear, look at leaf spring bushes, shackles, U-bolts and the shocks. These are the common wear points that cause noises or sloppy handling.

Can coilover struts be fitted to replace the factory setup?
It’s not a straightforward or typical upgrade. The Hiace’s chassis isn’t set up for MacPherson towers, and converting from torsion bars to coilover struts would be a custom engineering job requiring certification. For most owners, quality replacement shocks, fresh bushes and correct alignment deliver the best result.