Parts for your 2017 Toyota Land cruiser-Struts

2017 Toyota Land Cruiser struts — what’s actually fitted and why it matters

For the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser (200 Series, J200), traditional MacPherson struts aren’t used. Up front it runs an independent double‑wishbone layout with a coil‑over shock absorber, and down the back it’s a heavy‑duty 4‑link live axle with separate coil springs and shock absorbers. Because the front has upper and lower control arms, the damper and spring don’t serve as a structural “strut” like they do on a small hatch — it’s a coil‑over shock, not a strut.

That conclusion lines up with Toyota’s own technical literature and spec sheets for the 200 Series. Technical sources include: Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series New Car Features (J200), Toyota Repair Manual for the 2017 Land Cruiser via Toyota’s Technical Information System, and Toyota Australia model specifications for MY17 Land Cruiser. All describe a double‑wishbone front suspension and a 4‑link rear axle with shocks separate from the springs.

Why didn’t Toyota use struts here? Simple: strength, articulation, and durability. A double‑wishbone front end better suits a heavy 4WD that tows, tours, and tackles corrugations. It keeps steering geometry controlled under load, spreads impact forces through robust arms and the chassis, and allows decent wheel travel. MacPherson struts save space and weight on lighter cars, but they put structural load through the damper and the steering knuckle — not ideal for a Land Cruiser’s off‑road life.

If someone’s hunting for “Land Cruiser struts”, what they’re really after are shocks (and their related hardware). The bits that typically get serviced or replaced on a 2017 Land Cruiser are:

• Front coil‑over shock absorbers (damper and coil spring assembly), with upper insulator/mounts
• Rear shock absorbers and rear coil springs
• Control arm bushes and ball joints, sway bar links/bushes, and KDSS hydraulics where fitted

Practical servicing tips for owners: inspect shocks at regular services (or roughly every 20,000 km) for oil seepage, dents, or perished bushes. On‑road signs it’s time include extra bounce, nose‑dive under brakes, steering shimmy on corrugations, and cupped tyre wear. Off‑roaders and those towing heavy should expect shorter shock life than city commuters. Replace shocks in axle pairs, get a wheel alignment after front suspension work, and torque arm bushes at normal ride height. Where KDSS is fitted, follow the correct de‑pressurising and levelling procedure. Because the front coil‑over is preloaded, safe disassembly needs a proper spring compressor and the right technique — a job best left to competent workshops.

Bottom line: no struts on the 2017 Land Cruiser — just tough shocks and arms built for Aussie and Kiwi conditions.

Popular questions

Does the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser have struts or shocks?
It uses shocks. The front is a double‑wishbone with a coil‑over shock absorber (not a structural strut), and the rear is a 4‑link live axle with separate shocks. Some parts catalogues casually call the front coil‑over a “strut”, but technically it isn’t.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a 2017 Land Cruiser?
Focus on shock absorbers, coil springs, control arm bushes and ball joints, sway bar links and bushes, and KDSS components where fitted. Front shocks are part of a coil‑over assembly, rears are separate from the springs.

How often should Land Cruiser shocks be inspected or replaced?
Inspection at each service (or around every 20,000 km) is smart. Replacement timing varies with use: touring, towing, and rugged tracks wear shocks faster. Many owners see solid service life, but once leaking, bouncy, or causing uneven tyre wear, replacement in axle pairs is the go.