Parts for your 2018 Toyota Crown-Strut mounts

2018 Toyota Crown strut mounts — what’s actually fitted?

Short answer: traditional “strut mounts” aren’t used on the 2018 Toyota Crown. Technical sources such as the Toyota New Car Features (NCF) manuals for the S210/S220 series and Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) list the Crown with a double wishbone or multi‑link style front suspension and a multi‑link rear, not a MacPherson strut front end. Because it’s not a strut‑type front, there’s no rotating strut top bearing assembly—i.e., no classic strut mount as seen on many front‑drive models.

On a MacPherson setup, the strut mount is a big deal: it carries the vehicle’s weight, isolates noise and vibration, and includes a bearing to let the whole strut turn with the steering. The 2018 Toyota Crown steers via upper and lower control arms with ball joints, the shock absorber/spring unit doesn’t rotate with steering input. Up top it uses a shock absorber support insulator (sometimes called a top mount insulator), which is a rubberised mounting, not a strut bearing. The EPC for 2018 Crown models (e.g., AWS210/GRS214/S220 variants) lists these as “Front Suspension Support (Insulator/Sub‑assembly)” rather than “strut mount/bearing”.

Why this matters for servicing: owners chasing “2018 Toyota Crown strut mounts” are usually after the top mounting hardware for the dampers. What they’ll actually replace are the shock support insulators and related bushes, not a strut bearing. That’s good news—fewer moving parts up top and generally less likelihood of steering knock caused by a failed top bearing.

For care and maintenance, the smart play is to inspect the following at regular services or when the dampers are out:

• Front and rear shock absorber support insulators (top mounts, non‑rotating)
• Upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Stabiliser (sway bar) links and bushes
• Damper condition and spring seats

Tell‑tale signs it’s time for attention include dull thuds over sharp bumps, light creaks from the top of the wheel‑arch area at low speeds, or a slightly floaty feel on corrugations. There’s no fixed kilometre interval—condition depends on roads and load—but a check every 40–60,000 km works well for Aussie and Kiwi conditions. If replacing support insulators or dampers, do both sides, torque everything at ride height, and book a wheel alignment if any control arm fasteners or adjusters are disturbed. Always confirm part numbers against the VIN in the Toyota EPC to ensure the correct Crown variant (Athlete, Royal, Hybrid, S220, etc.).

Popular questions about 2018 Toyota Crown strut mounts

Does the 2018 Toyota Crown actually have strut mounts?

No. The Crown uses double wishbone/multi‑link architecture up front rather than MacPherson struts, so there’s no rotating strut top bearing. The correct part up top is a shock absorber support insulator, as described in Toyota’s NCF and EPC documents for S210/S220 Crowns.

That said, those support insulators still age. If there’s noise at the top of the tower, inspect the insulator, damper, and nearby bushes before ordering parts.

What should be replaced if there’s a clunk from the front “top mount” area?

Start with the shock absorber support insulator and the damper itself, then check stabiliser links, upper/lower arm bushes, and ball joints. Because this isn’t a strut system, there’s no strut bearing to fail—most knocks trace back to a tired insulator, worn link, or a damper on its way out.

Use OEM or high‑quality aftermarket components matched to the exact Crown variant, and replace in axle pairs for balanced ride and handling.

Will a wheel alignment be needed after replacing the support insulators or dampers?

If control arms or any camber/caster adjusters are loosened, absolutely get an alignment. Even if only the damper and insulator come out, many workshops in Australia and New Zealand recommend a check to confirm toe and steering wheel centre, especially on vehicles with precise multi‑link geometry like the Crown.

An alignment also helps protect tyres and keeps the refined Crown ride and turn‑in feel right where it should be.