Front struts interchangeable?

I have a 1998 Tacoma extended cab 4-wheel drive. I suspect my mechanic recently installed the front struts kits on the wrong side... Left on right & right on left. If so, is this a problem or are they interchangeable?

 

I think they can go on either side. There is an orientation to the coils to seat into the top and bottom of the shock.

Just curious..what lead you to think they were installed on the wrong sides?

 

Have rubbing sound on left side that wasn't there before. Thank you for your reply & question.

 

Can you better define what you are referring to. What exactly is new?

Is it just the shock absorber portion of the front coilover assemblies? Or is a complete coilover? Meaning the coil spring and shock absorber combination? What is the brand of your new "strut"? Is it an OEM stock replacement or did it also give you some additional lift.

Are the tires and wheels new too?

 

Interesting.

Can you see any signs of rubbing? Like a surface that has had the dirt/dust removed due to rubbing.

 

I think the springs are left/right specific, but the strut (shock part) is universal.

 

Edit: I'm thinking of my old man emu coils. Stock coils or whatever you have might be different.

 

I recently put coil over assembly's on my 2004, and they have different part numbers left and right

 

One is left, one is right.

 

Digiratus, thank you for taking the time to provide such a comprehensive reply. The struts were the complete assembly units with coil & shocks combined. They are not OEM but I got them through a Toyota dealership... the brand is Monroe. There was no lift done and the tires wheels have been on the truck for 4 years. Visually, there is no sign of rubbing or scrapped paint evident. I tried spraying WD-40 around the bottom bolt and top mounting area. Is there a grease fitting somewhere I'm not seeing?
Once again, thank you all in advance for your replies.

 

I have no personal experience with the Monroe brand pre-assembled coilovers. However, I would think if Monroe designed them to be side specific, each would have a unique part number. This is probably something you should ask about at the place of purchase. Does the invoice list more than one part number?

Can you better describe the sound. For instance, is it constant at all speeds or is it intermittent? Or does it vary in intensity with wheel speed?

FWIW, sounds and vibrations are very hard to diagnose via the web.

 

I put those exact Monroe assemblies on my Tacoma, they are side specific for a reason, have them changed. I would imagine you're alignment is out of whack as well