Parts for your 2014 Toyota Land cruiser-Strut mounts

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser strut mounts — are they used, and what to service instead

For the 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser (200 Series), a conventional MacPherson strut and strut-mount arrangement isn’t used. Up front it runs an independent double-wishbone layout with a separate coil spring and shock absorber, and the rear is a live axle with coils and shocks. Steering pivot happens at the upper and lower ball joints on the knuckle, not through a strut tube and bearing plate. That means the part commonly called a “strut mount” (a bearing-equipped top plate) simply doesn’t apply to this model.

Technical sources back this up: Toyota’s Repair Manual and New Car Features for the 200 Series specify “Front Suspension: Double Wishbone” with a shock absorber and coil spring arrangement, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue lists front shock absorber assemblies and upper shock insulators, not strut bearings or strut top mounts typical of MacPherson designs.

• Design: Double wishbone (front) with separate coil and shock, no MacPherson strut.
• Steering pivot: Upper and lower ball joints, not a strut top bearing.
• Service parts: Shock absorbers, upper shock insulators/top hats, lower shock bushes, control arm bushes, sway bar links/bushes, and ball joints.

So while some aftermarket listings loosely say “strut mount,” what the Land Cruiser actually has are upper shock mounts/insulators. These are rubber/metal isolators that secure the shock to the body and soak up vibration, but they don’t contain a steering bearing like a true strut mount.

What should owners and techs check instead? If there’s a clunk over corrugations, perished rubber, or wandering on the highway, start with the front shock absorber upper insulators (top hats), lower shock bushes, and the control arm bushes. Inspect the shocks for leaks and loss of damping, and check sway bar links/bushes for play. On KDSS and AHC-equipped models, include the KDSS hydraulics and height-control components in the inspection. Tyre wear patterns can also hint at worn ball joints or bushes.

When replacing shocks or coilover assemblies, renew the upper shock insulators if the rubber is cracked, flattened, or hard. Use quality parts, follow torque specs with the vehicle at ride height, and get a wheel alignment after front-end work. That’ll keep the big Cruiser riding tight and tracking straight without chasing nonexistent “strut mounts.”

• Does a 2014 Land Cruiser have strut mounts?
  No. It runs a double-wishbone front end with separate shocks and coils, so there’s no MacPherson strut or strut-top bearing plate. It uses upper shock insulators/mounts instead.
• What should be serviced instead of strut mounts?
  Check front shock absorber upper insulators, lower shock bushes, control arm bushes, ball joints, and sway bar links/bushes. Also assess shocks for leaks and damping loss. KDSS or AHC systems (if fitted) should be inspected too.
• Can aftermarket coilovers add a “strut mount” to this model?
  Aftermarket coilovers still bolt in as shocks with top hats/insulators, not as MacPherson struts with steering bearings. They don’t convert the suspension design, so a true strut mount still doesn’t apply.

Technical references: Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series Repair Manual (Front Suspension), Toyota New Car Features (Chassis – 200 Series), Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for 2014 J200.