Parts for your 2019 Toyota Hilux-Strut mounts

2019 Toyota HiLux and “strut mounts” — what’s actually fitted

For the 2019 Toyota HiLux (AN120/AN130 series), a traditional MacPherson strut with a strut mount is not used. Technical sources, including the Toyota HiLux N80 Repair Manual front suspension section and Toyota Australia’s model specifications, state the HiLux runs a double-wishbone front suspension with a coil spring over a separate shock absorber. In this layout, the shock absorber isn’t a structural “strut” and doesn’t steer, so there’s no strut top bearing assembly like you’d find in a MacPherson system. Suspension manufacturers’ technical notes (e.g., KYB and Monroe) also explain that strut mounts are specific to MacPherson designs where the strut is the steering pivot and requires a bearing at the top.

What the HiLux does have is an upper shock absorber insulator/mount (often called a top shock mount or bush). Toyota typically refers to this as the front shock absorber upper insulator/support rather than a strut mount. Because the steering axis is handled by the upper and lower control arms and ball joints, the damper doesn’t rotate with the wheels, so a strut mount with an integrated bearing is unnecessary on this ute.

Why that matters: if someone searches for “2019 HiLux strut mounts,” they’re usually chasing front-end knocks or harshness. The likely culprits aren’t strut mounts but components such as the upper shock insulator/bushes, control arm bushes, ball joints, sway-bar links, or the shock absorbers themselves. There’s no scheduled replacement interval for the upper shock insulator, it’s replaced when wear is evident.

• Common symptoms to watch for: clunks over corrugations, a dull top-out knock, cracked/perished rubber at the shock top, oil misting down a shock body, vague steering feel, or uneven tyre wear.
• Good practice: replace upper shock insulators/bushes in axle pairs, torque suspension fasteners at normal ride height, and get a wheel alignment after any front-end work.

If the HiLux is lifted, carries a bullbar, winch, or runs long distances on rough roads, the upper shock insulator and the shock itself can age faster. Upgraded coilover assemblies and fresh upper insulators can restore ride and control, but they’re still not “strut mounts” in the MacPherson sense. At the rear, the HiLux uses leaf springs with separate dampers, so there are no strut mounts there either.

Does a 2019 Toyota HiLux have strut mounts at the front?

No. The HiLux uses a double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock. That means there’s an upper shock insulator/mount rather than a MacPherson-style strut mount with a steering bearing. Some parts catalogues casually label the upper shock insulator as a “strut mount,” but it doesn’t perform the same function.

What’s the correct part to order if the “strut top” is knocking on a 2019 HiLux?

Ask for the front shock absorber upper insulator/mount (and related bushes/washers), not a strut mount. Many workshops will recommend replacing the shock absorber at the same time if it’s leaking or tired. Use your VIN to confirm the exact Toyota part description and fitment, or choose a reputable aftermarket kit built for the 2015–2020 HiLux.

How often should the upper shock insulators be replaced, and what are the symptoms?

There’s no fixed interval. Replace when the rubber is perished or cracking, if there’s a top-out clunk over speed bumps or corrugations, or after high-kilometre off-road use. It’s smart to replace both sides together and book an alignment once the work’s done.