Parts for your 2013 Toyota Mark x-Struts

2013 Toyota Mark X: Struts or not?

Short answer: the 2013 Toyota Mark X (X130/GRX130 series) doesn’t use MacPherson struts. According to Toyota’s New Car Features (NCF) manual for the X130, the front suspension is double wishbone and the rear is multi-link. The Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for GRX130 shows separate upper/lower arms up front with a shock absorber and coil spring, rather than a structural strut assembly. Toyota’s global specs released for the X130 facelift also list “double wishbone (front) / multi-link (rear)”. That’s why proper “struts” aren’t part of this model’s factory setup.

Why the confusion? Plenty of parts sites casually call any shock-and-spring unit a “strut”. On the Mark X, the dampers are not a load-bearing steering member like a MacPherson strut. They’re shocks with coils in a double wishbone layout up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear.

So why didn’t Toyota use struts on the 2013 Mark X? This platform is rear-wheel drive and aimed at balanced, refined handling. A double wishbone front end offers precise camber control through corners, better tyre contact, and more consistent steering feel. Pairing that with a multi-link rear helps the car track cleanly over bumpy backroads while keeping road noise and vibration down. It also packages nicely around the longitudinal V6 and allows geometry tuning that suits enthusiastic driving without beating up passengers.

• Double wishbone advantages: better mid-corner grip and steering precision.
• Multi-link rear: improved ride quality and stability over corrugations.
• Serviceability: individual components (bushes, ball joints, shocks) can be replaced as they wear.

What should owners in Australia and New Zealand look after instead of “struts”? Focus on the shocks (front and rear), top mounts, control arm bushes and ball joints up front, and the rear multi-link arm bushes. Sway bar links and bushes are common wear items too. Typical signs the dampers or bushes are tired include front-end clunks over speed bumps, steering shimmy, nose-diving under brakes, floaty behaviour on the motorway, and cupped tyre wear. A four-wheel alignment after any suspension work is a must, and worth checking every 20,000–30,000 km or if tyres show odd patterns.

Thinking about upgrades? Coilover kits exist for GRX130, but they’re coilover dampers for the wishbone/multi-link design, not MacPherson struts. Keep ride height changes sensible and check local compliance rules—WOF/LVVTA certification in NZ and state-based regulations or engineering in Australia may apply.

Popular questions about 2013 Toyota Mark X “struts”

Does the 2013 Toyota Mark X have struts?

No. It runs a double wishbone front and multi-link rear, using shock absorbers rather than MacPherson struts. Toyota’s NCF and EPC for GRX130 list arms and separate dampers, not a structural strut tube. If a catalogue lists “front struts” for this model, it’s usually using the term loosely for the front shock-and-spring assemblies.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a 2013 Mark X?

Look at the front and rear shocks, top mounts, front upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints, rear multi-link arm bushes, and sway bar links. These are the common wear points that affect ride, tyre wear, and braking stability. After any of this work, book a proper alignment and check tyre pressures to keep it tracking true.

Can coilovers or “strut kits” be fitted to a 2013 Mark X?

Coilovers designed for the GRX130’s double wishbone/multi-link geometry can be fitted, but they aren’t MacPherson struts. Choose quality dampers with matched spring rates, get a professional alignment, and confirm road-legal requirements—LVVTA/WOF in NZ and applicable state regs or engineering in Australia.