Complete Front Strut Assemblies
A front strut with its spring, mount and boot already assembled, so no spring compressor is needed. Listed by engine and build.
2009 Toyota Corolla Suspension Diagram
This interactive diagram shows the front suspension, steering, axles and rear suspension of the 2009 Toyota Corolla with the 1.8 liter engine, as built in North America. Hover over or tap any part to see what it does, the signs that it is worn, and the replacement parts we carry that fit your car, down to the side.
2009 Toyota Corolla Suspension Diagram (Full Car)
2009 Toyota Corolla Front Suspension and Steering Diagram
2009 Toyota Corolla Rear Suspension Diagram
We carry parts for it Not stocked yet Hover or tap any part.
The 2009 to 2013 Corolla uses MacPherson struts up front, each clamping the knuckle in a two bolt clevis above an L shaped lower control arm with a bolted on ball joint. Links rise from the sway bar to the struts, and the steering rack sits behind the front axle. The rear is a torsion beam: two trailing arms joined by a cross beam, with a coil over shock on the back of each arm and drum brakes on the 1.8 liter car.
We carry replacement parts for 31 of the 34 components on this diagram, 113 parts in all. See every part for the 2009 Toyota Corolla.
Packages and kits
Shock and Strut Sets
Front struts and rear shocks for the whole car in one order.
Front Suspension
1 Front Lower Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
A pressed steel L shaped arm. The ball joint bolts to a flange at its outer end, a front leg pivots on a small bushing at the subframe, and a long curved rear leg ends in a large upright bushing under the subframe.
Signs of wear: Creaking or popping in slow tight turns, clunks over bumps or under braking, or wandering on the highway.
Tip: Left and right arms are different parts. Cars built in Japan (VIN starting with J) take their own part numbers for this part. Cars built in the United States or Canada start with 1, 2 or 5. Check the fit notes against your VIN.
2 Front Lower Control Arm Front Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The small bushing in the eye at the end of the arm's front leg, on a bolt that runs front to back through the subframe.
Signs of wear: A clunk when pulling away or braking, or torn rubber.
Tip: Polyurethane sets replace the arm's inner bushings.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
3 Front Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The large upright bushing at the end of the arm's long rear leg, held by a bracket that bolts up into the subframe.
Signs of wear: Creaks in slow turns, shimmy under braking, or rubber that has split.
Tip: This bushing wears more often than any other part of the front arm. Offset versions add caster.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
4 Front Lower Ball Joint (driver and passenger side)
The ball joint bolts to the outer end of the lower arm. Its stud points up into the bottom of the knuckle and is held by a castle nut.
Signs of wear: A clunk over bumps, play when the wheel is rocked top to bottom, or a torn boot.
Tip: One ball joint fits both sides and every 2009 to 2013 car.
See all Front Lower Ball Joint parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
5 Front Steering Knuckle (driver and passenger side)
The cast knuckle carries the wheel bearing and hub. Its top sits in the strut's two bolt clevis, the ball joint stud goes into its bottom, and the tie rod joins its steering arm behind the axle.
Signs of wear: A bent knuckle after a curb strike pulls the car to one side.
Tip: Complete knuckle assemblies come with the bearing, hub and backing plate.
See all Front Steering Knuckle Assembly parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
6 Front Strut (driver and passenger side)
The MacPherson strut clamps the top of the knuckle in a two bolt clevis and runs up to the strut tower. It carries the coil spring, and a tab on its body holds the top of the sway bar link.
Signs of wear: Bouncing after bumps, nose dive under braking, fluid on the strut body, or a knock from the top of the strut.
Tip: Left and right struts are different parts. Complete strut assemblies need no spring compressor.
See all Front Shock Absorber parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
7 Front Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The front coil spring sits on a seat on the strut body and pushes up against the top mount, with rubber insulators at its ends.
Signs of wear: A corner sitting low, a broken coil end, or a clunk when turning at low speed.
Tip: Replace springs in pairs.
See all Front Coil Springs parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
8 Front Strut Boot and Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
A rubber boot over the strut rod, inside the coil spring, with the bump stop at its top. It keeps dirt off the rod seal.
Signs of wear: A torn boot, or a harsh bang when the suspension bottoms out.
Tip: Replace the boot and bump stop whenever the strut is replaced.
See all Front Shock Bellows Boot Kit parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
9 Front Strut Mount (driver and passenger side)
The rubber mount and bearing at the top of the strut. Three studs hold it to the strut tower under the hood.
Signs of wear: Knocks or creaks from the top of the strut over bumps or while turning the wheel at a standstill.
Tip: Cars built in Japan (VIN starting with J) take their own part numbers for this part. Cars built in the United States or Canada start with 1, 2 or 5. Check the fit notes against your VIN.
10 Front Camber Bolts (driver and passenger side)
The two bolts that hold the strut's clevis to the top of the knuckle. Offset cam bolts in their place let the camber be set.
Signs of wear: Uneven wear on the inside or outside edge of the front tires after a curb strike.
Tip: Check the bolt size (16 or 17 mm) in the fit notes, then align the car.
See all Front End Alignment Kit parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
11 Front Sway Bar
The front sway bar runs across behind the subframe. Its ends bend forward to the links that rise to the struts.
Signs of wear: A bar seldom fails; worn links and bushings are what make the noise.
Tip: Check the links and bushings first.
We don't carry a front sway bar for the 2009 Toyota Corolla yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
12 Front Sway Bar Bushing
Two rubber bushings in clamps hold the front bar to the back of the subframe.
Signs of wear: A squeak or a dull knock over bumps from the front of the car.
Tip: The bar is about 23 mm. Check the bushing size in the fit notes.
See all Front Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
13 Front Sway Bar Link (driver and passenger side)
A link about 285 mm long with a ball stud at each end. The top bolts to a tab on the strut body and the bottom to the end of the sway bar.
Signs of wear: A rattle or clunk over small bumps is the most common sign.
Tip: Hold the stud with a hex key while you turn the nut.
See all Front Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
Steering
15 Outer Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The outer tie rod end threads onto the inner rod. Its stud goes up through the knuckle's steering arm behind the axle.
Signs of wear: Loose steering, a clunk when turning, or uneven tire wear.
Tip: Cars built in Japan (VIN starting with J) take their own part numbers for this part. Cars built in the United States or Canada start with 1, 2 or 5. Check the fit notes against your VIN. The North American end is the short one.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
16 Inner Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The inner tie rod screws into the end of the steering rack under the boot.
Signs of wear: Play in the steering with the boot squeezed, or a clunk over bumps.
Tip: Cars built in Japan (VIN starting with J) take their own part numbers for this part. Cars built in the United States or Canada start with 1, 2 or 5. Check the fit notes against your VIN.
See all Front Inner Tie Rod End parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
17 Steering Rack Boot (driver and passenger side)
A rubber boot at each end of the rack keeps dirt out of the inner tie rod joint.
Signs of wear: A split boot, or grease on the rack.
Tip: Cars built in Japan (VIN starting with J) take their own part numbers for this part. Cars built in the United States or Canada start with 1, 2 or 5. Check the fit notes against your VIN.
See all Steering Rack Bellow parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
18 Steering Rack
The electric power steering rack sits behind the front axle on the subframe. Its pinion rises on the driver side to the steering column.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps, wandering, or a leak at a boot.
Tip: Align the car after any rack work.
We don't carry a steering rack for the 2009 Toyota Corolla yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
Driveline
19 Front CV Axle (driver and passenger side)
A half shaft runs from the transmission to each front hub. The passenger shaft is long and runs under the engine.
Signs of wear: Clicking when turning, a vibration on acceleration, or grease thrown from a split boot.
Tip: Shafts and boot kits are listed by engine (1.8 or 2.4 liter).
See all CV Joint Parts - Front parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
Rear Suspension
20 Rear Axle Beam
A torsion beam: two trailing arms joined by a cross beam. Each arm pivots on a rubber bushing in a body bracket ahead of the wheel and carries the hub, the brake and the shock at its rear end.
Signs of wear: Clunks from the rear over bumps, or the rear wheels steering the car, point to worn pivot bushings.
Tip: The beam itself is not sold here. Camber and toe shims fit between the beam and the hub.
We don't carry a rear axle beam for the 2009 Toyota Corolla yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
21 Rear Shock (driver and passenger side)
The rear shock stands on the end of the trailing arm and runs up into the body. It carries the rear coil spring.
Signs of wear: Bouncing after bumps, the rear swaying, or fluid on the body.
Tip: Complete assemblies with the spring and mount fitted need no spring compressor.
See all Rear Shock Absorber parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
22 Rear Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The rear coil spring sits on a seat on the shock body, so it comes out with the shock.
Signs of wear: A corner sitting low, or a broken coil end.
Tip: Replace springs in pairs.
23 Rear Shock Boot and Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
A rubber boot over the rear shock rod with the bump stop at its top, inside the coil.
Signs of wear: A torn boot, or a bang when the rear bottoms out.
Tip: Replace it with the shock.
See all Rear Shock Bellows Boot parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
24 Rear Camber and Toe Shims (driver and passenger side)
A thin tapered shim between the beam's hub plate and the rear hub. Fitting one changes the rear camber and toe.
Signs of wear: Rear tires wearing on one edge when the rear alignment is out of range.
Tip: Shims come in steps of angle. Fit one per side, then align the car.
See all Rear End Alignment Kit parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
Brakes and Hubs
14 Front Wheel Bearing (driver and passenger side)
The front bearing is pressed into the knuckle and the hub is pressed through it.
Signs of wear: A hum or growl that changes with speed or when turning, or play in the wheel.
Tip: Pressing the bearing needs a press; a complete knuckle assembly avoids that.
See all Front Wheel Bearing Assembly parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
25 Rear Wheel Hub and Bearing (driver and passenger side)
A bolt on hub and bearing unit on the end of the beam, with five wheel studs and the ABS sensor.
Signs of wear: A hum from the rear that rises with speed, or play in the wheel.
Tip: One hub fits both sides.
See all Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
26 Front Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side)
A 275 mm vented rotor on the front hub.
Signs of wear: A pulsing pedal, grooves, or a lip at the edge.
Tip: One front rotor size fits 2009 to 2013.
27 Front Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
A single piston floating caliper on a bracket bolted to the knuckle, ahead of the axle.
Signs of wear: Pulling to one side when braking, a dragging wheel, or a leak.
Tip: Bleed the brakes after replacing one.
See all Front Brake Caliper parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
28 Front Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
The pads sit in the caliper bracket either side of the rotor.
Signs of wear: Squealing, grinding, or a long pedal.
Tip: Replace pads on both sides together.
29 Rear Brake Drum (driver and passenger side)
A 9 inch drum over the rear hub covers the shoes. The 1.8 liter car has rear drums on every year.
Signs of wear: A pulsing pedal when stopping gently, or a grinding noise from the rear.
Tip: Check the shoes and wheel cylinder with the drum off.
30 Rear Brake Shoes (driver and passenger side)
Two shoes on the backing plate inside the drum, pushed out by the wheel cylinder. They also work the parking brake.
Signs of wear: A parking brake lever that pulls up too far, or grinding from the rear.
Tip: Replace shoes on both sides together.
31 Rear Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side) Not on every vehicle
A 259 mm rear rotor on the cars that have rear disc brakes.
Not on every vehicle: 2009 and 2010 cars with the 2.4 liter engine (S and XRS) only
Signs of wear: A pulsing pedal or a grooved rotor.
Tip: Not on the 1.8 liter car, which has drums.
32 Rear Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side) Not on every vehicle
A rear caliper on the cars that have rear disc brakes.
Not on every vehicle: 2009 and 2010 cars with the 2.4 liter engine (S and XRS) only
Signs of wear: A dragging rear wheel, or a leak.
Tip: Not on the 1.8 liter car, which has drums.
See all Rear Brake Caliper parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
33 Rear Brake Pads (driver and passenger side) Not on every vehicle
Rear pads for the cars that have rear disc brakes.
Not on every vehicle: 2009 and 2010 cars with the 2.4 liter engine (S and XRS) only
Signs of wear: Squealing or grinding from the rear.
Tip: Not on the 1.8 liter car, which has drums.
34 Parking Brake Shoes (driver and passenger side) Not on every vehicle
Small shoes inside the hat of each rear rotor work the parking brake on rear disc cars.
Not on every vehicle: 2009 and 2010 cars with the 2.4 liter engine (S and XRS) only
Signs of wear: A parking brake that does not hold.
Tip: Not on the 1.8 liter car, whose drum shoes do the job.
See all Parking Brake Shoes parts for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
Questions about the 2009 Toyota Corolla suspension
What wears out most often on a 2009 Corolla suspension?
The front lower control arm bushings, especially the large upright rear bushing, sway bar links, struts and strut mounts. Creaking or popping in slow tight turns is usually the arm bushings.
Does it matter where my Corolla was built?
Yes. This diagram is for cars built in North America, whose VIN starts with 1, 2 or 5. Cars built in Japan (VIN starts with J) take their own front lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods, rack boots and strut mounts. Check the fit notes on each part against your VIN.
Does the 2009 Corolla have a rear sway bar?
No separate rear bar is listed for this car. The rear is a torsion beam: the cross beam that joins the two trailing arms twists as the car leans, which does the job of a bar.
Do I need an alignment after replacing these parts?
Yes, after tie rods, control arms, struts or the camber bolts. The rear has no adjusters; camber and toe shims fit between the beam and each rear hub.
Which years share this suspension?
The 2009 to 2013 Corolla uses this layout, and nearly every part we list carries over from one year to the next. The 2.4 liter cars of 2009 and 2010 add rear disc brakes and their own front struts and half shafts.
Printable 2009 Toyota Corolla suspension diagrams
Numbered diagrams to print or save for the shop. The numbers match the numbered parts on the interactive diagram.
