Assistance With My Camry Repairs

[DrunkenPanda]

Ive made a few posts before and I didnt have any money well now i have a little not much but better than nothing. I have a 89 LE Auto 4Cyl and $250 to make some repairs to it, I'm planning on getting most of the parts from a junkyard or buy off someone. So if i take the struts off of a car there that can fit the camry, am i still gonna need to take it to a place that has the machine thing, and how do i have replace the wheel camber (most important). I'm a little mechanically inclined took a ROP auto course, but i have a friend (and some other ppl) taking auto courses in college who will be helping me.

Everything that i need to replace:
-New Battery
-Front Left Wheel Camber
-Front Left Strut (maybe all 4 depending the cost)
-Radio
-Speakers
-2 wheels.

Its of no help but if your wondering what it looks like heres a pic:

[toyomoho]

Well chamber as in inner fender well (or liner).

Have checked the shocks to determine they need replacing?

[disregard]

Not a bad loooking car, the paint and the body look like there in good shape. Wheres the wheel covers ?

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by disregard

Not a bad loooking car, the paint and the body look like there in good shape. Wheres the wheel covers ?

Welcome to California... they all look like that unless they have been in an accident.

I'm not sure what the original poster means by "wheel chamber" ... Wheel Hub? Wheel bearing? Wheel camber/alignment? Once that is clarified, I can probably help out a bit more.

-Charlie

[atobe]

u can borrow a spring compressor at autozone for free unless someone killed themselves while using it and they don't do it anymore i'm not so sure... to do your struts... radio/speaker isn't too hard to do.

[Jimnist]

It's best if you can get new struts as you never quite know how many km's the used have done and they could end up letting go pretty soon. IMO, not worth the risk. Save up a bit more and get new, preferably all round if you can.

Here's a write-up i did for installing a radio into my 2nd gen.
I know, another stereo thread...

Speakers, difficulty will depend on if it's a replace or install new i.e cut and make space in the rear deck or doors.

[DrunkenPanda]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Well chamber as in inner fender well (or liner).

Have checked the shocks to determine they need replacing?

i mistyped, i meant wheel camber lol I havent checked the shocks, I'll do it 1st thing 2maro.

Originally Posted by disregard

Not a bad loooking car, the paint and the body look like there in good shape. Wheres the wheel covers ?

Thanks the wheel covers are long gooone.

Originally Posted by white90dx

Welcome to California... they all look like that unless they have been in an accident.

I'm not sure what the original poster means by "wheel chamber" ... Wheel Hub? Wheel bearing? Wheel camber/alignment? Once that is clarified, I can probably help out a bit more.

-Charlie

Its camber/alignment lol, I dont know why i typed chamber. The left wheel is crooked from the right one it squeels and makes a poping noise when i drive. I currently dont drive it atm for some reason I think its gonna snap off or something. I did a little research about the camber and I read that if its like not how its supposed to be or something for some negative positive balance stuff the car pulls, my car definitely pulls, quite aggresive at 40+ mph.

Originally Posted by atobe

u can borrow a spring compressor at autozone for free unless someone killed themselves while using it and they don't do it anymore i'm not so sure... to do your struts... radio/speaker isn't too hard to do.

Ill definitely check into that when I get my new battery from them.

Originally Posted by Jimnist

It's best if you can get new struts as you never quite know how many km's the used have done and they could end up letting go pretty soon. IMO, not worth the risk. Save up a bit more and get new, preferably all round if you can.

Here's a write-up i did for installing a radio into my 2nd gen.
I know, another stereo thread...

Speakers, difficulty will depend on if it's a replace or install new i.e cut and make space in the rear deck or doors.

Thanks for that, its really gonna come in handy, I'm just replacing the radio for now and speakers, both are broke, after i have an income ill get better speakers and stuff. and like the struts, I'm definitely gonna get new ones, I wish i had gotten a little more money, but i got offered a job which is like a 10min drive from home not far at all (no freeway or anything just up the hill and around a few corners), but yeah, ill definitely get new struts 1st paycheck, I just need a replacement 1 for about a month.

Another problem I remember is the interior lights. like the PRNDL and the things u look at for the speedometer dont always come on. could this be because the battery is/was so close to fully burnt out or should i replace those lights or like wiring or something, im kinda confused at that part. also do struts come in sizes? so i can know what kinda cars i can take from when i get it? so far i think i can take from another gen2 camry and 1990 lexus es250 right?

Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it

[Jimnist]

You can't adjust camber on stock front wheel drive cars. If you want to be able to, you need to fit fully adjustable coilovers, which, in my opinion is kinda pointless for a Camry as you use it to adjust steering geometry for track style/conditions and your driving style. I've noticed it to be a trend with the 'ricers' who won't even touch these settings.

It should say which car the strut will fit on the box. KYB or Tokico struts are good.

[DrunkenPanda]

Originally Posted by Jimnist

You can't adjust camber on stock front wheel drive cars. If you want to be able to, you need to fit fully adjustable coilovers, which, in my opinion is kinda pointless for a Camry as you use it to adjust steering geometry for track style/conditions and your driving style. I've noticed it to be a trend with the 'ricers' who won't even touch these settings.

It should say which car the strut will fit on the box. KYB or Tokico struts are good.

wut if the camber is bent or broken or something, is it impossible to fix without taking it to a shop? Some guy at a shop before told me I need a new one, I just didnt wanna pay their rediculous price.

[Doctor J]

Camber is a suspension SETTING not the part name

[white90dx]

- Unless the car doesn't start when you turn the key (or, cranks slowly and barely starts) you don't need a new battery. Save your money if you can.

- Get used to the beautiful sounds of silence and don't replace the radio if you are short on cash. A safe running car is more important than music. Or grab my extra one for free if the stock wiring behind the dash is still fine. I have at least one extra that should work for you if you want.

- You should replace struts in pairs (or preferably all four). You should only use ones designed for your car. Unless the car bounces when you go over bumps, your struts are probably fine. Stock replacements should be $60-$150 each depending on what you get.

- The poping sound you hear could either be axle(s) or control arm bushings. If it pops when you hit the gas around a corner - its the axles. If it pops/clunks when you hit the gas or brakes in a straight line, it is the bushings. Either one should be fairly cheap if you can do the replacement yourself. (local parts store for axles, eBay for control arm complete replacements). Rebuilt axles are $60-$90, a pair of control arms with new ball joints is under $100.

- You should be able to get a front-end alignment after all this is done for under $50. If you havce bent suspension components, the shop should be able to tell you what else needs replacing.

-Charlie

[Jimnist]

You're using the wrong terminology to describe something when you say "wheel camber". Like Doctor J said, it's a suspension setting, NOT a part name. You can just describe it the part and we could play the guessing game XD

[DrunkenPanda]

yeah i deffinitely need a new battery, before i go anywhere I have to charge then the charge dies, sometimes leaving me stranded and have to find someone to jumpstart it.
the wheel pops/clunks/squeels when im in a straight line and going around corners.

Originally Posted by Jimnist

You're using the wrong terminology to describe something when you say "wheel camber". Like Doctor J said, it's a suspension setting, NOT a part name. You can just describe it the part and we could play the guessing game XD

Its wheel something, thats what the mechanic said he was gonna have to fix to my car because it pulls the right wheel is perfect is just the left one. Its either too far up or too far back, i cant remember anymore i went to the mechanic a while ago and when i drive it pulls to the side. heres a pic of it, probably shows nothing

[disregard]

wheel bearing ?

[kesando]

Originally Posted by white90dx

-

- The poping sound you hear could either be axle(s) or control arm bushings. If it pops when you hit the gas around a corner - its the axles. If it pops/clunks when you hit the gas or brakes in a straight line, it is the bushings. Either one should be fairly cheap if you can do the replacement yourself. (local parts store for axles, eBay for control arm complete replacements). Rebuilt axles are $60-$90, a pair of control arms with new ball joints is under $100.

- You should be able to get a front-end alignment after all this is done for under $50. If you havce bent suspension components, the shop should be able to tell you what else needs replacing.

-Charlie

What if it pops only when parking or making slow manuvers?