Parts for your 2014 Lexus Is-Strut mounts

2014 Lexus IS strut-mounts — are they used?

Short answer: traditional strut-mounts aren’t a thing on the 2014 Lexus IS (XE30). Technical documentation from Lexus/Toyota (New Car Features manual and Repair Manual on Toyota TIS), plus the Lexus global press information for the 2014 IS, all specify a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear. That setup doesn’t use MacPherson struts, so there’s no strut bearing/top-hat style “strut-mount” as fitted to strut-type cars.

On a MacPherson strut vehicle, the strut-mount carries vehicle weight, isolates vibration and includes a bearing so the whole strut can rotate with the steering. The 2014 IS steers via upper and lower control arms at the front, the damper doesn’t act as a structural strut. Instead, it uses an upper shock absorber mount/insulator and separate control-arm ball joints and bushes to handle geometry and steering loads. The rear is multi-link, again with shock absorber mounts rather than strut-mounts. Even F Sport or AVS (adaptive damping) variants keep the same architecture — no strut bearings up top.

So, if a parts listing says “strut-mount” for a 2014 Lexus IS 250/300/350/300h, it’s usually shorthand for the shock absorber top mount/insulator. That part isolates noise and vibration but doesn’t have a steering bearing like a true strut-mount. Workshops typically service the following instead:

• Front and rear shock absorber upper mounts/insulators, bump stops and dust boots
• Front upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints (common sources of clunks)
• Rear multi-link arm bushes and joints

If there’s a knock over sharp bumps, a creak at parking speeds, or tyre feathering, the fix is usually in those mounts or control-arm bushes rather than a strut-mount. When replacing shocks, it’s smart to renew the upper mounts/insulators, boots and bump stops at the same time, and have an alignment done afterwards. Quality matters — OE or reputable aftermarket components help keep ride quality and cabin quietness up to the Lexus standard.

Technical references: Lexus IS (2014, XE30) New Car Features and Repair Manual (Toyota TIS), and Lexus global chassis overview for the 2014 IS confirming double wishbone front and multi-link rear layouts.

Popular questions

Does the 2014 Lexus IS have strut-mounts?
No. It uses double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, so there are shock absorber mounts/insulators rather than MacPherson strut-mounts with bearings.

What should be checked instead of strut-mounts?
Have the shock absorber upper mounts/insulators, bump stops and dust boots checked, plus the front control arm bushes/ball joints and rear multi-link bushes. These are the usual culprits for knocks or vibration.

Can a listing saying “strut-mount” still fit my 2014 IS?
Often yes — many catalogues label the shock top insulator as a “strut-mount.” Just confirm it’s the upper shock mount for double wishbone/multi-link, not a MacPherson strut bearing.