Parts for your 2013 Toyota Mark x-Struts

2013 Toyota Mark X struts: what’s actually fitted

After checking technical references, struts aren’t used on the 2013 Toyota Mark X (GRX130/135). The factory setup is a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear, as detailed in the Toyota Mark X GRX130 Series Repair Manual (Suspension section), Toyota’s Global Newsroom material for the 2012 minor change model, and Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue listings that show separate upper and lower control arms with a shock absorber and coil spring, not a MacPherson strut. In plain terms: the Mark X runs shocks, not structural struts.

Why no struts? The Mark X is a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan. Toyota chose a double wishbone front layout because it lets engineers control camber gain and wheel alignment angles more precisely through the suspension travel, which sharpens steering feel and cornering grip. It also packages neatly under the bonnet without the tall towers a strut needs. At the back, a multi-link arrangement keeps the rear tyres planted and stable without needing a strut there either.

Owners looking up “struts” for this model are usually after ride and handling fixes, which means focusing on shocks and the surrounding hardware. The key wear points include:

• Shock absorbers and top mounts (front and rear)
• Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints (front)
• Rear multi-link bushes and toe/camber link joints
• Bump stops and dust boots

Tell-tales it’s time for a refresh: oil seepage on a shock body, a chattery or knocking noise over rough roads, cupped or uneven tyre wear, a floaty feel at highway pace, or excessive bounce after speed humps. On high‑kilometre cars, fatigue in bushes and joints can be just as noticeable as tired shocks.

Good practice for a tidy result in Australia and New Zealand is to replace shocks in axle pairs, renew top mounts, bump stops and boots at the same time, and get a full wheel alignment straight after. Torque suspension fasteners at normal ride height so the bushes aren’t preloaded. If fitting aftermarket dampers or coilovers, check local certification rules (especially in NZ), set ride height conservatively, and re-check alignment after a few hundred kilometres once everything beds in.

Parts lookups should be done against the VIN to confirm GRX130/135 and production date, as there are trim and option differences across the Mark X range.

Does the 2013 Toyota Mark X have struts?

No. It uses a double wishbone front and multi‑link rear suspension. Those systems use shock absorbers with coil springs and separate control arms, not MacPherson struts. Toyota’s GRX130 repair manual and parts catalogue list shocks, arms, and links rather than strut assemblies.

What should be serviced instead of “struts” on a 2013 Mark X?

Focus on shocks, top mounts, control arm bushes and ball joints up front, plus rear multi‑link bushes and joints. Replace in axle pairs, refresh boots and bump stops, and book a wheel alignment. This restores ride control, reduces tyre wear, and keeps WOF/roadworthy inspectors happy.

Can coilovers be fitted to a Mark X, and do they replace struts?

Yes, quality coilovers are available, but they replace the shock-and-spring assemblies, not “struts”. Choose a reputable brand, confirm spring rates for road use, follow local cert rules (NZ especially), and get a professional alignment after install.