Replace the front strut mount assemblies, which connect the strut to the vehicle body and provide cushioning and pivot points for steering.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut mount assembly × 2 — Toyota OEM 48609-02160 or equivalent
• Strut mount bearing × 2 — Often included with mount assembly
• Upper spring seat (if damaged) × 2 — Inspect during disassembly

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level 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 manufacturer designated lift points
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at frame rails or designated jacking points
6. Remove front wheels completely
7. Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolts, sway bar link nuts, and strut tower nuts (allow 15 minutes to penetrate)

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting area
   Open hood and locate the strut tower on the side being serviced. Remove any plastic covers or cowl panels obscuring access to the three strut tower mounting nuts. These are typically 14mm nuts located at the top of the strut tower in the engine bay.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the strut. Using a 6mm Allen key to hold the ball stud shaft from spinning, use a 14mm socket to remove the upper sway bar link nut. Separate the link from the strut. If the ball stud spins freely, use a ball joint separator or carefully apply upward pressure while turning the nut.
   ⚠Do not allow the ball stud to spin freely as this can damage the boot and bearing. Always hold the shaft with an Allen key.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect brake line bracket
   Locate the brake line bracket attached to the strut body (typically one or two 10mm bolts). Remove the bolt(s) and carefully move the brake line aside without kinking or straining the line. Do not disconnect the brake line itself.
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two large bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are typically 19mm bolts with 21mm nuts. Mark the orientation of the strut to the knuckle with paint or a scribe for reference during reassembly. Use a breaker bar and impact wrench if necessary to remove both bolts. Support the strut assembly as you remove the second bolt.
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy and may fall once the second bolt is removed. Ensure you are supporting the strut or have an assistant ready.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts116 Nm (86 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove strut tower nuts
   Return to the engine bay. While supporting the strut assembly from below (or have an assistant hold it), remove the three 14mm nuts securing the strut mount to the strut tower. Do NOT remove the large center nut on top of the strut at this time. Carefully lower the complete strut assembly out from the wheel well.
   ⚠️Do NOT remove the center strut shaft nut while the spring is under load. This nut holds the compressed spring and removing it without a spring compressor will cause violent spring release.
   Torque spec

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

   Compress coil spring
   Place the strut assembly in a secure vise or on a stable work surface. Install spring compressors on opposite sides of the coil spring (180 degrees apart). Ensure compressor hooks are fully engaged on the spring coils. Tighten the compressors EVENLY and GRADUALLY, alternating between sides. Continue compressing until the spring is no longer exerting pressure on the upper mount (you should see a small gap develop).
   ⚠️Ensure spring compressors are rated for the spring load and are properly engaged. Uneven compression can cause the spring to slip out violently. Compress slowly and evenly, checking engagement frequently.
7. 7

   Remove strut shaft nut
   Using a 21mm socket on the top nut and a 6mm Allen key inserted into the top of the strut shaft to prevent rotation, remove the strut shaft nut. Keep all components in order as you disassemble: upper mount, bearing, upper spring seat, dust boot, bump stop, and spring with compressors attached.
   ⚠Verify the spring is fully compressed and not under tension before removing the shaft nut. If you feel resistance, compress the spring more.
8. 8

   Remove old strut mount and inspect components
   Remove the old strut mount, bearing, and upper spring seat. Inspect the coil spring for cracks or damage. Inspect the bump stop and dust boot for tears or deterioration. Inspect the strut body for leaks. Replace any damaged components. Clean the strut shaft threads with a wire brush.
9. 9

   Install new strut mount assembly
   Install components in the following order onto the strut shaft: bump stop and dust boot (if removed), compressed spring with correct orientation (end coil positioning matches original), upper spring seat, bearing (ensure proper orientation - bearing should rotate freely), and new strut mount. Align the mount studs with the spring seat positioning per manufacturer specifications.
   ⚠The strut mount has a specific orientation. The mounting studs must align with the lower strut bracket to match the vehicle's geometry. Verify orientation matches the removed assembly.
10. 10

    Install strut shaft nut
    Thread the strut shaft nut onto the shaft. Hold the strut shaft with a 6mm Allen key and tighten the shaft nut to manufacturer specification (typically 50-60 Nm, but verify with a service manual as this torque is NOT provided in the database). Once secure, carefully and evenly loosen the spring compressors, alternating sides. Remove compressors once spring is fully seated.
    ⚠Release spring tension slowly and evenly. Verify the spring seats properly in both upper and lower spring seats as you release compression.
11. 11

    Install strut assembly to vehicle
    Lift the complete strut assembly into the wheel well, guiding the three mount studs through the strut tower holes. From the engine bay, thread the three strut tower nuts onto the studs and hand-tighten. Do not fully torque yet. Align the lower strut bracket with the steering knuckle, matching your alignment marks from disassembly.
12. 12

    Install strut-to-knuckle bolts
    Insert the two strut-to-knuckle bolts through the knuckle and strut bracket. Install nuts and hand-tighten. Torque both bolts to specification: 116.0 Nm (86 lb-ft). Verify alignment marks match.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts116 Nm (86 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect brake line bracket
    Reattach the brake line bracket to the strut body using the 10mm bolt(s). Ensure the brake line is properly routed and not kinked or under tension. Torque to manufacturer specification (typically 20-25 Nm).
14. 14

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Connect the sway bar link to the strut. Install the nut and tighten while holding the ball stud shaft with a 6mm Allen key. Torque to 55.0 Nm (41 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Torque strut tower nuts and final assembly
    From the engine bay, torque the three strut tower nuts to 50.0 Nm (37 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Reinstall any plastic covers or cowl panels removed for access. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if replacing both mounts. Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Carefully lower the vehicle from jack stands until wheels just contact the ground but suspension is not fully loaded. Torque wheel lug nuts to 129.0 Nm (95 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Bounce the front end several times to settle the suspension.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. All reassembly steps are included in the main procedure
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification using a calibrated torque wrench
3. Verify brake lines are not kinked or damaged and are properly secured to strut

Verification

• Test drive vehicle in a safe area at low speed, listening for any clunking or abnormal noises from the front suspension
• Verify steering returns to center properly and there is no binding or unusual resistance
• Check for any fluid leaks around brake lines that may have been disturbed
• REQUIRED: Schedule a professional wheel alignment immediately - strut mount replacement affects camber and caster angles
• After 50-100 miles, re-check torque on wheel lug nuts and strut-to-knuckle bolts

More procedures for this vehicle