Parts for your 2016 Toyota Mark x-Struts

2016 Toyota Mark X struts — do they apply?

Short answer: no, the 2016 Toyota Mark X doesn’t use MacPherson struts. Technical sources including the Toyota Mark X GRX130/133/135 Repair Manual (Suspension section), Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue for the GRX130 series, and the 2016 Mark X specification sheets list the suspension as front: double wishbone and rear: multi-link. Those assemblies use separate dampers (shock absorbers) and coil springs with upper and lower control arms, not structural struts. That’s why “2016 Toyota Mark X struts” is a mislabel in parts listings — what’s actually fitted are shocks/dampers.

Why no struts on the 2016 Mark X? Being a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan, Toyota engineered it with a double wishbone front end to keep camber gain in check and maintain a flatter tyre contact patch through corners. Compared with a MacPherson setup, the double wishbone arrangement allows finer geometry control, sharper steering feel, and a lower bonnet line — all priorities flagged in Toyota’s technical literature for the GRX130 platform. Out back, the multi-link rear further helps ride comfort and lateral grip without resorting to a strut tower.

What should owners service instead of “struts”? Focus on the shocks/dampers, springs, top mounts/insulators, control arm bushes and ball joints, and stabiliser (sway bar) links. If the car feels floaty over corrugations, nose-dives under brakes, or shows cupped or uneven tyre wear, the dampers are likely tired. Listen for clunks over speed humps that can hint at worn bushes or links.

• Inspection cadence: every 20,000–30,000 km or annually, whichever comes first.
• Typical damper lifespan: 80,000–120,000 km depending on roads and loads, performance use may shorten this.
• Always realign after suspension work, the double wishbone front is sensitive to alignment for proper tyre life and straight-line stability.
• Use quality OE-equivalent dampers and fresh top mounts, replacing in axle pairs keeps the car balanced.

For Kiwi and Aussie conditions — rough chip seal, long country runs, and plenty of speed bumps — keeping the Mark X’s shocks, bushes, and links in good nick makes a big difference to ride, grip, and braking feel.

Popular questions about 2016 Toyota Mark X “struts”

Does the 2016 Toyota Mark X actually have struts?

No — the GRX130 series uses a double wishbone front and multi-link rear, with separate shocks and springs. Parts catalogues and the factory manual show no MacPherson strut assemblies on this model. If you see “strut” listed online, it’s usually a generic term for the front shock absorber.

What suspension components should be serviced instead of struts?

Prioritise front and rear shocks/dampers, coil springs, upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints, and stabiliser links and bushes. Inspect mounts/insulators too. After any replacement, get a proper four-wheel alignment to protect your tyres and restore factory handling.

How can someone tell if the Mark X shocks are worn?

Tell-tales include excessive bounce after bumps, longer stopping distances with nose-dive, steering kickback on rough roads, and uneven or cupped tyre wear. Visual oil misting or leaks on the damper body are a giveaway. If in doubt, have a workshop do a bounce test and road assessment.