Parts for your 2021 Lexus Is-Strut mounts

2021 Lexus IS strut mounts: are they used?

Short answer: no, traditional strut mounts aren’t used on the 2021 Lexus IS. Technical documentation such as Lexus/Toyota’s Repair Manual (TIS) and the Lexus New Car Features (NCF) materials for the XE30-series facelift confirm the IS runs a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear. That layout doesn’t use MacPherson struts, so there’s no strut top bearing or typical “strut mount” assembly up front. Instead, the IS uses a shock absorber with coil spring and separate upper support insulators, while steering pivot and geometry are handled by the control arms and ball joints.

For clarity, a strut mount is the upper mounting and bearing assembly used on MacPherson-strut vehicles, letting the whole strut rotate with steering. On the 2021 IS, the damper isn’t a structural steering member, so it doesn’t need that rotating bearing. Some parts catalogues might still label the IS top supports as “strut mounts”, but technically they’re shock absorber mounts/insulators.

• Why Lexus doesn’t use strut mounts on IS: the chosen double wishbone design delivers better camber control through travel, sharper turn-in, and consistent tyre contact—key to the IS’s handling brief.
• Steering pivot sits in the upper/lower ball joints, not a strut-top bearing, improving precision and feel.
• NVH is managed with separate bushings and insulators rather than a single strut-top bearing assembly.

Servicing advice for owners searching for “strut mounts” on a 2021 IS: focus inspections on the front shock absorber upper support insulators, upper and lower control arm bushings, and ball joints, plus the rear shock upper mounts. Typical symptoms of tired mounts/insulators or bushings include clunks over sharp bumps, light knocking at low speeds, and vague steering feel. A good rule of thumb is to inspect these items every 20,000–30,000 km or annually, and replace rubber components if cracked, perished, or separated. When fitting new dampers or springs, it’s smart to renew the upper insulators, rubber spring seats, and dust boots at the same time. After any suspension work, a four-wheel alignment to Lexus specifications is essential to keep tyre wear tidy and the car tracking straight.

If aftermarket coilovers are on the cards, note they’ll come with their own top hats (often pillow-ball). That still doesn’t convert the IS into a MacPherson-strut setup, it simply changes the way the shock mounts to the body. Expect firmer NVH and get the alignment checked to keep things road-legal in AU/NZ.

Popular questions about 2021 Lexus IS “strut mounts”

Does the 2021 Lexus IS actually have strut mounts?
No. The IS uses double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear, so there’s no MacPherson strut and no strut-top bearing. The correct components are shock absorber upper support insulators and associated bushings, as outlined in Lexus/Toyota service information.

What should be replaced if there’s a top-end suspension clunk?
Check the front shock upper insulators, spring seats, sway bar links, and the upper/lower control arm bushings and ball joints. If dampers are being replaced, renewing the insulators and boots at the same time is cost-effective and helps keep noises at bay.

Will coilovers add a “strut mount” to my IS?
Coilovers include their own top hats (sometimes pillow-ball), but the IS remains a wishbone car, not a MacPherson-strut setup. Expect an increase in NVH and always follow torque specs and alignment requirements to stay compliant and maintain proper handling.