Parts for your 2012 Toyota Mark x-Gas struts

2012 Toyota Mark X gas struts — are they used?

Short answer: no, the 2012 Toyota Mark X isn’t factory-fitted with gas-charged lift supports on the bonnet or the boot. Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue for the GRX130/GRX135 series (Body > Hood/Bonnet, Body > Luggage Compartment) shows a bonnet support rod and boot-lid torsion bars with hinges, and no gas dampers at either end. The Toyota service/repair manual for the Mark X (X130 series, Body Mechanical sections) likewise details prop-rod use for the bonnet and torsion-bar and hinge setup for the boot, with no procedures for gas strut replacement. Those are the standard technical references technicians use, and they’re clear on the hardware fitted from factory.

Why is that the case? On a mid-size sedan like the Mark X, Toyota typically uses a prop rod for the bonnet and torsion bars for the boot. It’s a robust, space-efficient and cost-effective approach that suits the vehicle’s packaging and weight targets, and it holds up well in Aussie and Kiwi conditions.

• Packaging and weight: Torsion bars are compact in a sedan’s boot opening, keeping the boot aperture wide and clean.
• Reliability: Prop rods and torsion bars are simple, with fewer seals to age or lose charge over time.
• Cost and serviceability: These parts are inexpensive, easy to service, and rarely fail compared with gas-charged lift supports.

If someone wants the convenience of a self-raising bonnet, aftermarket bonnet-damper kits are available for the GRX130. Just note they’re an add-on: they change loads on hinges and mounting points, so quality hardware and correct fitment matter. For the boot, keep the torsion bars and hinges in good nick—if the lid feels heavy, uneven, or doesn’t stay up on an incline, the bars may be out of balance or the hinges worn. Torsion bars are under significant preload, adjustment or removal should be done with proper tools and care to avoid injury.

One more point of clarity: “gas struts” here means lift supports for the bonnet/boot, not the suspension. The Mark X uses gas-pressurised shock absorbers, but those aren’t the lift supports folks usually ask about.

Popular questions

Does a 2012 Toyota Mark X have gas struts on the bonnet or boot?
From factory, no. The bonnet uses a support rod and the boot uses torsion bars and hinges. That’s confirmed in Toyota’s parts catalogue and the Mark X body repair/service procedures, which list no gas lift supports.

Can gas struts be retrofitted to the Mark X bonnet?
Yes, via aftermarket bonnet-damper kits designed for the GRX130. Choose a reputable kit, follow torque specs, and periodically check brackets and ball-studs for play. Keep in mind this modifies loads on the hinges compared with the OEM prop rod.

My boot lid feels heavy—what should I check?
Look for worn hinge pivots, misaligned latch/striker, and torsion bars that have lost balance or were refitted incorrectly after previous work. Because the bars are preloaded, get a trained tech to adjust or replace them safely.