Parts for your 2020 Toyota Land cruiser-Strut mounts

2020 Toyota LandCruiser: Strut mounts or something else?

Based on Toyota’s LandCruiser 200 Series repair manual, the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for the J200 platform, and standard suspension definitions used in the industry (e.g., SAE’s description of MacPherson struts), the 2020 Toyota LandCruiser does not use MacPherson struts and therefore does not use strut mounts. Up front it runs an independent double-wishbone setup with a coil-over shock absorber, out back it’s a solid rear axle with separate coils and shocks. Because the front shock is not a structural steering member, there’s no need for a strut top bearing assembly (the classic “strut mount”).

What the LandCruiser does have are upper shock insulators/bushes and a top plate that fasten the coil-over to the chassis, plus traditional suspension hardware such as upper and lower control arm bushes, ball joints, and stabiliser (sway bar) links and bushes. Some models feature KDSS and others use AHC, neither changes the fact that a strut mount, as used on MacPherson designs, isn’t part of this vehicle.

So, for owners chasing knocks over corrugations or vague steering, the attention should be on shock absorber mounts and bushes rather than “strut mounts”. Worn rubber insulators or loose hardware can create clunks, while tired shocks can cause bounce, nose-dive, and uneven tyre wear. The steering axis is handled by ball joints in the control arms, so any graunching noise on steering lock is more likely a joint or bush than a failed strut-top bearing.

• Inspect front and rear shock absorbers for leaks, dents, or fade every 20,000 km (or at regular services).
• Check front shock upper insulators/bushes and lower eye bushes for cracking, crushing, or separation.
• Assess upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints for play, replace if movement or torn boots are found.
• Look over sway bar bushes/links, KDSS components (if fitted), and rear axle control arm bushes.

When replacing front shocks on a coil-over LandCruiser, use quality insulators and torque the hardware at ride height to avoid preloading bushes. Any work on front control arms or ride height calls for a proper wheel alignment. If considering a lift, note that “strut top spacers” marketed for the 200 Series are actually coil-over top plate spacers, not strut mounts. Use a matched kit to keep CV angles, droop, and KDSS or AHC behaviour within spec, and recheck alignment after install.

Bottom line: if a parts listing mentions a “strut mount” for a 2020 LandCruiser, it’s usually using generic wording. What the vehicle truly needs are sound shock mounts/insulators and healthy control arm hardware to keep it tracking straight on the highway and calm over washboards.

• Popular questions about 2020 Toyota LandCruiser “strut mounts”

Does a 2020 Toyota LandCruiser have strut mounts?

No. The 2020 LandCruiser (200 Series) uses a double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock, not a MacPherson strut, so there’s no strut-top bearing mount. Steering loads go through the upper and lower control arms and ball joints.

What owners will encounter instead are shock absorber upper insulators/bushes and mounting hardware. If there’s a clunk over potholes, start by checking those bushes, the shocks themselves, and the sway bar links and bushes.

What should be serviced instead of strut mounts on a 2020 LandCruiser?

Focus on the front shock upper insulators, shock eye bushes, upper and lower control arm bushes, ball joints, and sway bar bushes/links. On vehicles with KDSS or AHC, inspect those components for leaks and play too.

A quick driveway check each service—plus a proper inspection every 20,000 km—will help catch wear early. Replace cracked or squashed bushes, and always get a wheel alignment after control arm or ride-height changes.

Can “strut top” spacers be fitted to lift the front of a 2020 LandCruiser?

Many kits label them “strut top” spacers, but they’re actually coil-over top plate spacers. They can provide lift, but they’re not strut mounts and won’t add a strut bearing. Use a well-matched lift kit to keep CV angles, droop, and KDSS/ AHC behaviour safe.

After any lift, book an alignment, re-torque suspension hardware after a few hundred kilometres, and keep an eye on tyre wear and ride quality.