Parts for your 2018 Toyota Mark x-Strut mounts

Are strut mounts used on the 2018 Toyota Mark X?

Based on Toyota technical literature for the GRX13# series (2018 Toyota Mark X), including the Toyota Repair Manual, the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), and the New Car Features (NCF) guide, this model does not use MacPherson struts up front and therefore does not use strut mounts. The Mark X runs a front double-wishbone suspension and a rear multi-link layout. In this arrangement the damper (shock absorber) doesn’t serve as a structural steering member, so there’s no rotating top bearing assembly commonly referred to as a strut mount.

Instead, the front and rear dampers attach to the body via rubber upper support insulators/cushions. These isolate noise, vibration and harshness but they aren’t “strutmounts” in the MacPherson sense and don’t contain a thrust bearing for steering rotation. Steering pivoting is handled by the upper and lower ball joints in the double-wishbone assembly, not by the damper top.

So when owners search for “2018 Toyota Mark X strutmounts”, what they usually need are one of the following wear items. If there’s a clunk over bumps, vague steering, or uneven tyre wear, these are the usual suspects to inspect:

• Front shock absorber upper support insulators and associated bushes
• Front upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints
• Front stabiliser (sway bar) links and bushes
• Rear shock absorber upper and lower bushes
• Rear multi-link arm bushes and toe/camber arm joints

Service-wise, replacing aged rubber insulators and bushes can tidy up ride and steering feel. Any arm or bush work should be torqued at normal ride height to avoid preloading, and a wheel alignment is recommended afterwards. In Australian and New Zealand conditions, technicians often begin checking these components around 80–120,000 kilometres or sooner if there are knocks, steering shimmy, or tyre feathering. Using quality components that match OE spec helps keep NVH in check.

For clarity, the Toyota EPC and NCF list these pieces under terms like “shock absorber support” or “insulator, front suspension,” not “strut mount.” Only if the vehicle is modified with coilovers that come with a top mount or camber plate would a strut-style top assembly be introduced, and that’s outside OE configuration.

• Does the 2018 Toyota Mark X have strut mounts?
  No. The GRX13# Mark X uses a double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear, so there’s no MacPherson strut or strut-top bearing. The damper is mounted via rubber insulators and doesn’t rotate for steering. If there’s a front-end knock, look instead to shock insulators, control arm bushes, ball joints, and sway bar links.
• What part does the job of a strut mount on a Mark X?
  The closest equivalent is the shock absorber upper support insulator. It cushions and isolates NVH where the damper meets the body, but it’s not a steering bearing. It can wear and cause noise, so it’s worth inspecting alongside control arm bushes and links during routine servicing.
• If coilovers are fitted, do strut mounts then apply?
  Many coilovers include a top mount or camber plate, which effectively adds a strut-style top assembly. Maintenance then follows the coilover maker’s guidance: check top-mount bearings, torque settings, and re-align after height/camber changes. In Australia and New Zealand, ensure modifications meet local compliance requirements.