Parts for your 2013 Lexus Is-Strut mounts

2013 Lexus IS strut-mounts — what’s actually fitted?

Based on Lexus/Toyota technical documentation (Lexus Repair Manual and New Car Features via Toyota’s TIS) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue, the 2013 Lexus IS (XE20 series: IS 250, IS 350 and IS F sold in Australia and New Zealand) does not use MacPherson struts, so traditional strut-mounts aren’t part of the suspension. The front is a double-wishbone layout and the rear is a multi-link setup. In these designs, wheel location and steering geometry are handled by control arms and ball joints, not by a strut tube and rotating strut-top bearing.

What some parts sites call “strut-mounts” on this model are actually shock absorber upper mounts/insulators. They don’t carry steering loads or include a rotation bearing like a true strut-mount on a MacPherson-strut car. That’s why “strut-mounts” aren’t relevant to the 2013 IS in the strict, technical sense.

If there’s a clunk, creak or vague front-end feel, it’s worth checking the components that do the real work in this chassis. A technician familiar with Lexus/Toyota suspension will typically inspect:

• Front upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints (double wishbone)
• Rear multi-link arm bushes and hub joints
• Shock absorber upper mounts/insulators, dust boots and bump stops (front and rear)
• Sway bar (stabiliser) links and D-bushes
• Top spring seats and spring isolators

When replacing dampers on a 2013 IS, it’s good practice to renew the shock upper insulators, boots and bump stops at the same time. Torque the control arm bolts with the vehicle at ride height to avoid preloading bushes, and book a wheel alignment afterwards to protect tyres and keep steering feel crisp. Many owners space out checks to every 20,000–30,000 kilometres, or sooner if there are knocks over sharp bumps, feathering tyres, or wandering on the motorway.

Quick tip for parts ordering in AU/NZ: if a catalogue lists a “strut-mount” for this car, read the fine print — you’re likely looking at a shock top mount/insulator kit. It’ll bolt to the body tower but won’t have a bearing because the steering pivot happens at the ball joints, not at the top mount.

Popular questions

Does a 2013 Lexus IS have strut-mounts?
No. The 2013 IS uses double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, so it doesn’t use MacPherson struts or strut-top bearings. It uses shock absorber upper mounts/insulators instead.

What should be replaced instead of strut-mounts on a 2013 IS?
When chasing noises or refreshing the suspension, focus on shock upper mounts/insulators, control arm bushes and ball joints, sway bar links and D-bushes, and spring seats. These are the common wear items on this chassis.

Do I need an alignment after replacing shocks and mounts?
Yes. Any time shocks, mounts or control arm hardware are touched, a wheel alignment is recommended to keep tyre wear even and steering behaviour consistent.