Replace the front strut bearing (upper strut mount bearing) which allows the strut to rotate during steering and absorbs road shock.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Strut bearing (upper strut mount bearing) × 2 — Use OEM Toyota part number 48609-06200 or equivalent
• Upper strut mount assembly (if replacing complete mount) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Strut bumper and dust boot (inspect, replace if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking points
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands rated for vehicle weight at manufacturer-specified support points
6. Remove front wheels completely
7. Spray penetrating oil on strut tower nuts, strut-to-knuckle bolts, and sway bar link nuts if corrosion is visible
8. Take photos of strut orientation and upper mount alignment for reference during reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the three strut tower mounting nuts at the top of the strut tower in the engine bay. Remove any plastic covers or cowl panels obstructing access. The nuts are 14mm and accessible from above. DO NOT remove these nuts yet.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut
   Locate the sway bar link connection to the strut assembly. Insert an Allen key into the shaft end to prevent rotation, then use a 17mm wrench to remove the upper nut connecting the link to the strut. Swing the sway bar link down and away from the strut. If the ball joint spins, hold it with the Allen key while loosening.
   ⚠Do not allow the sway bar link to hang unsupported as this may damage the rubber bushings or ball joint boots.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Mark strut alignment and disconnect brake line bracket
   Using a paint marker or scribe, mark the relationship between the strut and the steering knuckle (the bracket has cam-style eccentric bolts that affect alignment). Locate the brake line bracket attached to the strut and remove the mounting bolt. Carefully move the brake line aside without stressing the line.
   ⚠The alignment marks are critical. Failure to reinstall with the same orientation will require a professional wheel alignment.
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Remove the two large bolts (19mm) connecting the strut to the steering knuckle. These are tight and may require a breaker bar. Support the strut with one hand while removing the second bolt to prevent it from falling. Once removed, pull the knuckle away from the strut (may require prying or tapping).
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy (approximately 15-20 lbs). Support it during bolt removal to prevent it from falling and causing injury.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove strut tower nuts and extract strut
   From the engine bay, use a 14mm socket to remove the three nuts securing the top of the strut to the strut tower. Hold the strut from below while removing the final nut. Carefully lower the strut assembly down and out through the wheel well. Set it on a clean work surface.
   ⚠️The strut contains a compressed coil spring under high tension. Do not attempt to disassemble without proper spring compressors installed.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Install spring compressors
   Place the strut assembly in a vise or secure position. Install coil spring compressors on opposite sides of the spring (180 degrees apart), engaging at least 3 full coils on each compressor. Tighten the compressors evenly and gradually, alternating between sides, until the spring tension is relieved from the upper mount (you should see a small gap form between the spring and mount).
   ⚠️CRITICAL: Compress the spring slowly and evenly. Check that compressor hooks are fully engaged after each turn. Uneven compression or disengagement can cause violent spring release resulting in severe injury.
7. 7

   Remove strut shaft nut and upper mount
   Hold the strut shaft with a 6mm Allen key inserted into the top of the shaft. Use a 21mm socket or wrench to remove the strut shaft nut. Remove the upper mount assembly, bearing, spring seat, dust boot, and bump stop in order. Note the orientation and order of all components. Inspect all rubber components for cracking or deterioration.
   ⚠Keep all components in order of removal. Take photos if necessary. Incorrect reassembly order will cause noise and premature failure.
8. 8

   Replace strut bearing
   Remove the old strut bearing from the upper mount assembly. Clean the mounting surfaces with a wire brush. Install the new strut bearing into the upper mount, ensuring it is fully seated and oriented correctly (bearing should rotate smoothly). If replacing the complete upper mount assembly, use the new assembly as-is. Inspect and replace the bump stop and dust boot if they show any cracking, tearing, or compression set.
9. 9

   Reassemble strut components
   Reinstall components onto the strut shaft in reverse order: bump stop, dust boot, spring seat, new bearing/upper mount, and top retainer. Align the spring end with the spring seat pocket. Thread the strut shaft nut onto the shaft by hand. Hold the shaft with the Allen key and torque the shaft nut to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) using a torque wrench.
   ⚠Verify the coil spring ends are properly seated in the upper and lower spring seat pockets before tightening the shaft nut. Misalignment will cause noise and handling problems.
10. 10

    Remove spring compressors
    With the shaft nut properly torqued, carefully and evenly loosen the spring compressors, alternating between sides. Ensure the spring seats properly into both the upper and lower mounts as tension is released. Once all tension is released, remove the compressors completely. Verify the spring is fully seated and the assembly moves smoothly.
    ⚠️Release spring tension slowly and evenly. If any binding or misalignment occurs, stop immediately, re-compress, and correct the problem.
11. 11

    Install strut assembly into vehicle
    Guide the strut assembly up through the wheel well and align the three mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Thread the three 14mm nuts onto the studs by hand from the engine bay. Do not fully tighten yet. Insert the bottom of the strut into the steering knuckle, aligning the matchmarks made during disassembly.
12. 12

    Install strut-to-knuckle bolts
    Insert the two strut-to-knuckle bolts through the knuckle and strut bracket, ensuring alignment with the marks made earlier. Thread nuts onto the bolts. Torque the strut-to-knuckle bolts to 122 Nm (90 lb-ft) using a torque wrench.
    ⚠These are eccentric cam bolts that affect wheel alignment. Ensure marks are aligned before final torquing.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Torque strut tower nuts and reconnect components
    From the engine bay, torque the three strut tower nuts to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Reattach the brake line bracket to the strut and tighten securely. Reconnect the sway bar link to the strut. Hold the ball joint shaft with an Allen key and torque the nut to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the wheel lug nuts to 136 Nm (100 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat the entire procedure (steps 1-14) for the opposite front strut assembly. Both strut bearings should be replaced at the same time for balanced handling and performance.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall any cowl panels or plastic covers removed from the strut towers
2. Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification and no tools or parts are left in the engine bay or wheel wells
3. Double-check that brake lines are properly secured and not rubbing against any suspension components
4. Test strut bearing operation by turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary - should be smooth with no binding or noise

Verification

• Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel fully left and right while stationary. Listen for any clicking, grinding, or binding noises from the strut towers
• Drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify smooth operation over bumps and during turns
• Check for any unusual noises, vibrations, or steering feedback that could indicate improper assembly
• Have a professional wheel alignment performed immediately after this repair, as the strut-to-knuckle connection affects camber and toe settings
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque all suspension fasteners and verify no loosening has occurred
• Visually inspect the strut towers from the engine bay for any movement or separation during steering input

More procedures for this vehicle