re: 1989 Camry LE V6, help please...

[sfjen]

Aloha Folks-
Pretty new to TN and am enjoying reading all the good info. My wife and I were just blessed to pick up a 1989 Camry Wagon, V6, with only 74Kmiles on it. The interior is very nice. Outside has a few little dings as they say, was not always garaged.

Well, there are some things that I need to address and I hope you can help me:

1. Struts. I understand that these cars have struts all around. I hear the KYB are good and basically OEM (if you like another brand please let me know). Do you know which model to order for the front and rears? I am also told it is a good thing to install new strut mounts, do you know the model number for these?

2. How difficult is it to change out the struts? I am assuming one needs a compression tool for the springs?

3. Is there any place where I can order trim pieces? I have a cracked blue plastic piece that covers the rear 3rd brake light that needs to be replaced.

4. Ignition switch and door locks. The ignition and driver side door work pretty good with the key but the passenger side I think someone tried to get in years ago and may have jammed it up. Wondering if there is a source for new door lock cylinders?

5. There is a "lights" indicator that comes on from time to time but I think all the lights are good, is there a specific switch for this that needs to be replaced?

Thank you all in advance for your help. Very excited to own one of these, even though it took over 20years!
Mahalo

[Grego 92]

Nice ride! I have new kyb struts on, but I have a sedan so I'll let the wagon guys tell you what model you need.

The only other question I can answer is try look at toyotapartszone.com for the trim piece if you want oem. You can plug your vin or make/model/year and then the diagrams will show you what trim piece you are looking for. Hopefully whatever you need they still have them in stock and for sale, otherwise probably have to go to a pick-a-part yard.

[sfjen]

Aloha Grego-
Thank you very much for your reply. I will check out the website you listed for some trim parts. Seems, everyone I have spoken to locally has said KYB struts and their strut mounts.

Did you see a great improvement when you had it done? I also understand that you need to have an alignment done after the work.

Thank you again.
Mahalo,
Glenn

[Grego 92]

Yes, without a doubt improvement. However, mines were in such bad shape that I could bottom it out by pushing down with just one arm on all four corners, no lie. Yes, I had a four wheel alignment done afterwards done at Firestone tires.

[white90dx]

Locks: You can get new lock cylinders from the dealer (expensive!) and probably aftermarket. They won't match your other locks though - so you would want a full set... If it really bothers you, try taking the non-working one out first to see if there is anything obvious to fix (small debris in there or something...).

Suspension: Only do the suspension if things are bad (noises / clunking / bouncing). You will need good spring compressors, and replacing the strut mounts is a good idea. All KYB stuff should be good. You can save money if you have serviceable struts by just getting new strut inserts. Consider getting new strut boots (dust shields) and bump stops while you are in there. Make sure to get a good alignment done afterwards. Check the bushings where the front swaybar goes through the front lower control arms also - they are known to wear out. There are many threads on here about that problem.

Light indicator: You probably have a loose connection in the back somewhere. The sensor is only looking at the rear tail lights and brake lights (no license plate lights, side markers or turn signals). Once it senses a problem, the light will stay on for the rest of the time the car is on. Check / replace all the bulbs first. Clean the sockets and check the grounds. On the sedan (and I assume the wagon too), there is a chance of damaged wires on the trunk hinge. It might be worth pulling back the boot and looking for damage there. Hopefully that fixes it. My first Camry had a flaky connection at the center brake light that I was never able to fix...

I would suggest getting replacement interior trim at the junkyard.

-Charlie

[sfjen]

Aloha Charlie-
Thank you for your reply. I did order the KYB struts all around with 4 new mounting brackets. The place I ordered the dust shields from only had 2 pieces so I hope to get 2 more strut boots. When you mean serviceable struts does that mean the inserts with no springs on them? I think that is what you mean. Also, where/what are the bump stops? Are these a Toyota part? By the way, we hear the clunking-noises you speak about plus the wheels pull to one side greatly as they say in motion. So, that is why we figure it is a good time to do this. Most shops what close to 1200.00 for just the new struts, strut mounts and alignment but with some friends and the spring compressors (rented for free at Auto Zone) I am for about 400.00 right now in just the parts, minus the other items you mentioned. Look forward to your reply and thanks again.
-Glenn

<Suspension: Only do the suspension if things are bad (noises / clunking / bouncing). You will need good spring compressors, and replacing the strut mounts is a good idea. All KYB stuff should be good. You can save money if you have serviceable struts by just getting new strut inserts. Consider getting new strut boots (dust shields) and bump stops while you are in there. Make sure to get a good alignment done afterwards. Check the bushings where the front swaybar goes through the front lower control arms also - they are known to wear out. There are many threads on here about that problem.>

[white90dx]

Bump stops sit on the strut shaft and cushion the suspension travel at full compression. The disintegrate over the years from compression and age. They are in integral part of the suspension design and protect the struts and chassis from damage. The factory parts also hold the strut dust covers, I believe. You can use universal parts though...

Serviceable struts have a nut at the top of the housing (where the shaft sticks out) that holds an insert into the outer strut housing (inside it looks much like a standard shock, instead of a complete strut housing with bottom bracket and spring perch). You can replace serviceable struts with standard struts, but not the other way around, so you did fine. Standard struts will have a welded top cap.

Worn-out front swaybar to control arm bushings show up when getting on the gas or brakes - the car will pull to one side with gas and the other with brakes. There is often a clunk too.

-Charlie

[sfjen]

Aloha Grego: Neat to hear what happened to your ride once you did this. I spoke to some folks locally and they said it was amazing the difference after the new struts, strut mounts and good alignment did for the ride. Thank you for that confirmation.

Charlie thank you to for all the good info. I am awaiting shipment of the parts. Everything is KYB brand including the strut boots so I hope that works. Again, they only had 2 in so I will have to get 2 more of those boots-dust covers.

Now, in regard to the Bump stops: Is this a thick rubber piece and is it only through Toyota?

And in regard to the sway bay bushings, do you recommend going to Toyota for these or is there a good after market brand that folks like to use?

Again, thank you all for your help.
Mahalo

Originally Posted by white90dx

Bump stops sit on the strut shaft and cushion the suspension travel at full compression. The disintegrate over the years from compression and age. They are in integral part of the suspension design and protect the struts and chassis from damage. The factory parts also hold the strut dust covers, I believe. You can use universal parts though...

Serviceable struts have a nut at the top of the housing (where the shaft sticks out) that holds an insert into the outer strut housing (inside it looks much like a standard shock, instead of a complete strut housing with bottom bracket and spring perch). You can replace serviceable struts with standard struts, but not the other way around, so you did fine. Standard struts will have a welded top cap.

Worn-out front swaybar to control arm bushings show up when getting on the gas or brakes - the car will pull to one side with gas and the other with brakes. There is often a clunk too.

-Charlie

[Grego 92]

Oh, the bellows and bump stops come as a kit. Like this...


Go to the rockauto site....they show $11.67 each for the KYB kit. After you find your make/model/year then find "suspension" then find "strut bellow"

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by sfjen

And in regard to the sway bay bushings, do you recommend going to Toyota for these or is there a good after market brand that folks like to use?

Again, thank you all for your help.
Mahalo

You cannot get the bushings separately from Toyota. You would have to buy the complete control arms - at a cost of a few hundred $$$ each side...

My suggestion would be to get refurbished control arms from ebay (including new ball joints). You can get a pair for around $100, if I remember right. You can also buy the bushings by themselves, but I found that the extra effort/time involved wasn't worth saving $50 or so.

-Charlie

[sfjen]

Aloha Greg & Charlie-
Thank you for advice on these parts. I had originally ordered the KYB SB117 kits at 16.00+ a kit then you sent me this and it says it works for my 89 Camry Wagon V6 so I will get 4 sets of these. What is neat is if I go through Amazon.com they not only have it but I do not have to pay for shipping or tax which is nice. My original order was through them, so I cancelled the SB117's and got the SB101's like in your link, so that not only saved me almost 5.00 a piece but they had 4 of those in stock and includes the bumper part that Charlie was speaking about. Funny thing is that on Amazon it said these would not work with my car but on Rock Auto it said it would work. Thanks again!
Mahalo,
Glen
PS: Will look at the sway bar parts that you mentioned Charlie and get back to you, since I am sure I will have a question or two.

Originally Posted by Grego 92

Oh, the bellows and bump stops come as a kit. Like this...


Go to the rockauto site....they show $11.67 each for the KYB kit. After you find your make/model/year then find "suspension" then find "strut bellow"

[sfjen]

Aloha Charlie-
Is this what you meant in regard to a control arm:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-C...Q5fAccessories

I know the above is brand new but I could probably find some refurbished original Toyota ones like you mentioned. Also, are these hard to change out or is it a lot better/easier when doing the front strut relacements?

Thanks again for your advice and time.
Mahalo,
Glen

Originally Posted by white90dx

You cannot get the bushings separately from Toyota. You would have to buy the complete control arms - at a cost of a few hundred $$$ each side...

My suggestion would be to get refurbished control arms from ebay (including new ball joints). You can get a pair for around $100, if I remember right. You can also buy the bushings by themselves, but I found that the extra effort/time involved wasn't worth saving $50 or so.

-Charlie

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by sfjen

Aloha Charlie-
Is this what you meant in regard to a control arm:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-C...Q5fAccessories

I know the above is brand new but I could probably find some refurbished original Toyota ones like you mentioned. Also, are these hard to change out or is it a lot better/easier when doing the front strut relacements?

Thanks again for your advice and time.
Mahalo,
Glen

Those are exactly what I am talking about. New should be fine - they are a big iron casting, so they are hard to mess up. Aftermarket should be fine (and might even be made in the same factory, who knows...). Make sure you get a Left and a Right, as they are different. Do them at the same time as the struts to save the cost of an extra alignment...

-Charlie

[Grego 92]

Originally Posted by white90dx

.... Make sure you get a Left and a Right, as they are different...
-Charlie

That's for sure! I just did this recently and got two of the same when I got my ebay ones. The guy did make good and send me the other half, BUT I had to pay shipping to send the other side back I didn't bother arguing with the guy. They should be stamped "L" and "R".

[sfjen]

Again Grego & Charlie-
Thank you very much for all your help. Are there any particular brands on ebay that are good? Just curious. Also, do you use the ole pickle fork to get the old ones off?

The other question I should be asking is about torque. I do not have a service manual yet, but I am sure I need to be torquing things correctly. Thanks again.
Mahalo,
Glenn

Originally Posted by Grego 92

That's for sure! I just did this recently and got two of the same when I got my ebay ones. The guy did make good and send me the other half, BUT I had to pay shipping to send the other side back I didn't bother arguing with the guy. They should be stamped "L" and "R".