Parts for your 2013 Toyota Land cruiser-Strut mounts

2013 Toyota LandCruiser: Are strut mounts relevant?

For the 2013 Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series (J200), “strut mounts” aren’t a thing in the strict, technical sense. Toyota’s factory repair information and parts catalogues list a double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs and a separate shock absorber, plus a rear live axle with a multi-link setup and coil springs. There’s no MacPherson strut on this model, so there’s no traditional strut top mount that carries steering and suspension loads the way a strut mount does on a small car.

Why isn’t a strutmount used here? A MacPherson strut combines the shock, spring, and steering knuckle into one structural unit, and its top mount (the “strut mount”) locates the assembly and isolates noise and vibration. The 2013 LandCruiser, by contrast, uses upper and lower control arms up front to locate the wheel, with a shock and coil working alongside. The top of the front shock bolts to the chassis via an insulator/bush and bracket, not a strut tower bearing. So while some aftermarket listings might casually say “strut mount,” the correct components for this LandCruiser are shock absorber top mounts/insulators and related bushes—functionally different from a strutmount.

What should owners focus on instead? Think shock top insulators, spring seats, control arm bushes, ball joints, and sway bar links. These are the bits that keep the big wagon quiet, tight, and well-controlled over corrugations and urban speed humps alike.

• Listen for clunks over bumps—often a tired front shock top insulator or sway bar link.
• Inspect rubber for cracks, hardening, or collapse, especially after outback or high-country trips.
• Replace in pairs (left/right) to keep handling even.
• Get a wheel alignment after any front-end work (control arms, ball joints, tie-rods, or ride-height changes).
• Torque fasteners with the suspension at ride height to avoid bush preload and premature wear.

On Aussie and Kiwi roads and tracks, shock top insulators and bushes can age from about 80,000–150,000 km, depending on load, towing, and terrain. Tell-tales include front-end knocking, a vague or floaty feel, slight steering kickback, and uneven tyre wear. If the shocks are coming out for replacement, it’s smart practice to replace the top insulator/bush and any perished spring isolators at the same time—parts are relatively inexpensive compared with the labour of pulling the assembly. Quality OEM or reputable aftermarket components will usually ride quieter and last longer. For heavy touring rigs with bull bars, winches, or constant loads, choose components rated for the extra mass, and recheck torque after 500–1,000 km of mixed driving.

Does the 2013 Toyota LandCruiser use strutmounts?

No. The 2013 LandCruiser 200 uses double-wishbone front suspension and a separate shock and coil arrangement, so there isn’t a MacPherson strut or a traditional strutmount. It uses a shock absorber upper insulator/mount instead.

What’s the equivalent part to check if searching for “strutmounts” on a 200 Series?

Look for the front shock absorber top insulator/mount, spring seats/isolators, and associated bushes. These are the parts that handle isolation duties where a strutmount would on a strut-equipped vehicle.

Should a wheel alignment be done after replacing front shock mounts or bushes?

Yes. Any front-end work that disturbs control arms, ball joints, tie-rods, or ride height should be followed by a proper alignment to keep steering feel sharp and tyre wear even.