Parts for your 2017 Toyota Wish-Struts

2017 Toyota Wish struts — what they do and how to look after them

Struts are absolutely relevant on the 2017 Toyota Wish. Toyota’s service literature for the ZGE20/25 series (2009–2017) and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue specify a MacPherson strut front suspension. Major aftermarket catalogues (KYB, Monroe) also list complete front strut assemblies for the 2017 Wish. So yes — the Wish runs front struts, the rear is a separate shock and spring on most 2WD models.

On the front of a 2017 Wish, MacPherson struts do double duty: they absorb bumps and also act as a structural part of the suspension, keeping the wheel aligned for steering and braking. Good struts keep the ride settled, the steering tidy, and the tyres wearing evenly. When they’re tired, the car can feel floaty, take longer to stop on rough roads, and crash over bumps — not ideal for school runs or weekend tripping around Aotearoa or Australia.

There’s no fixed replacement kilometre for front struts, but many owners find they’re past their best somewhere between 80,000 and 120,000 km, sooner if the Wish spends its life on coarse-chip or corrugated roads. During regular servicing, it’s smart to check for oil misting on the strut body, cracked top mounts, perished bump stops or noisy bearings when turning the wheel at low speed.

• Tell-tale signs they’re due: nose-diving under brakes, extra body roll, steering shimmy after bumps, uneven tyre wear, clunks over speed humps, or visible fluid weep.
• Best practice: replace in pairs (left and right), fit new strut mounts and dust boots, and book a wheel alignment straight after.
• Choosing parts: quality OE-equivalent struts keep the Wish comfy, sportier options can tighten up body control if that’s the goal.

A tidy strut refresh can make a high‑kilometre Wish feel young again. It restores confidence on wet roads, sharpens steering on motorways, and cuts down on tyre and brake wear. If the rear feels loose, remember the back end runs shocks rather than struts on most 2WD variants — different parts, similar service logic.

Bottom line: if the Wish feels crashy or wanders over bumps, get those front struts inspected. Sort them early and the rest of the car stays happier, cheaper to run, and much nicer to drive.

Popular questions

Does the 2017 Toyota Wish have struts or shocks?
Up front, it has MacPherson struts. At the rear, most 2WD models use a torsion beam with separate shocks and springs, so they’re not “struts” at the back. Some all-wheel-drive variants use a different rear layout but still run conventional shocks, not rear struts.

How often should the front struts be replaced?
There’s no exact schedule, but many need attention around 80,000–120,000 km, depending on road conditions and load. Go by condition: oil leaks, poor control, noise, and uneven tyre wear are cues to replace. Always do an alignment after fitting.

What else should be replaced with the struts?
It’s wise to add new top mounts/bearings, dust boots, and bump stops. Replacing these small parts with the struts helps prevent future noises and keeps the new struts working properly for longer.