Dumb question about gen 2

[jaduncan]

I have a question about generation 2 cameys, I am looking for front hubs for a 87 and the guy at the junkyard says that the hubs off a 85 (according to his book) are the same. Anybody know if the hubs changed between gen 1 and gen 2 camerys? I'd hate to get involved with the job and find out they are the wrong ones. From what I can tell just from bending over and looking they sure seem different. Dang am I gonna have to go fight with em to get my money back? I wouldnt have even known that they were off an 85 till I started the job if I hadnt saw them taking them off! And went back into the office to ask if he was "sure" that they would fit. Maybe that "bending over" was prophetic!
Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Allen

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Um, that guy should quit smoking crack.

I've worked on dozens of gen1 and gen2 Camrys in the scrap yards, and I've never seen a gen1 front suspension set-up that looked even REMOTELY like it would fit a gen2.

Maybe it's different for models sold where you live (doubtful), but I'd go back and tell the guy to get a new book.

Good luck!

[88 LE]

^

I've replaced a steering spindle/knuckle & hub assembly on a gen 2. The wheel bearing went bad.

The same part on a gen 1 looks similar, but it is different and will not bolt onto a gen 2.


Take it back and get the right part for your car. One from a 87 - 91 Camry will work.

[jaduncan]

Thats what I've got to do replace a wheel bearing. The malignant growth masqurading as a "automotive repair service" that swmbo went to wanted $700+ to fix it. The "technican" carefully told her how dangerous continuing to drive on it was! And that it was "labor intensive" and that the "expensive" parts were hard to get. Dang both NAPA ($37) and Advance ($31) have it in stock! I don't know how long shes been driving it with it going wup- wup and thought maybe the spindle or the hub might have been damaged so I wanted to get the whole thing. Besides it looks easier to do that way.(and cheaper)
The guy refunded my money(not cheerfully) but at least there wasnt a fight! He didnt have the ones that I wanted so tomorrow I'm going to the pull your own place and fight snakes and wasps but they have 2 gen twos on the lot. Maybe I'll get lucky and find one of em with the front end already jacked up. lol I'm going to try to pull everything from the transaxle out.

Thanks for the answers they really helped me out because I was prepared for any b/s that they might try to give me. He first said I had told him 86 then said that his book said 81-88 was the same. Maybe he looked up simca or yugo or something. Anyway Thanks again Allen

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Hey Allen, I hope you read this before you go to the u-pull-it place tomorrow...

Before you take the hub assembly off the scrap yard car, jack it up and (with the wheel still on it) spin it. If it moves sluggishly, check that the hub isn't warped. Front calipers are known to seize on older cars, and when mine did last summer (on the damned highway, no less!) it warped the hub.

Don't fight with the guy at the yard for price, but if he charges you more than $25 or $30 then maybe just get a new one.

I hope all goes well for you!

[pentegron]

a new bearing will run about $30-40, you can get a hub kit that will run closer to $100 if you nead it. that will have a bearing hub and i believe a seal kit too. you shouldn't have to replace the spindle unless there has been some major damage. the kit is made by bca bearings and can be found at carquest/kragers.

[jaduncan]

The u pull it actually only had 1&1/2 cars and the one that still had a front end on it had been run to death! Rocked the wheels and they just wobbled. Now I've got to wait till monday before any of the other places are open again. Maybe drive a bit further. Got to get another can of wasp & hornet killer before I go though. New is starting to look better and better.

Allen