suspension replaced... still have noises - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

thenoeltyler · 04-03-2007, 02:02 PM

hey guys, i have a 98 camry le 5s-fe and i replaced my stock struts with tokico hp blues and my stock strut mounts with new ones at all 4 wheels. i kept the stock springs and rubber spring seats and stuff, i didnt replace any of the other components and the suspension guy didnt either. the setup worked great for about 2 weeks, but i noticed a couple of weeks ago there is an awful rattling noise coming from the rear driver's-side strut mount. it sounds like it is coming from there at least, and rattles when i go over bumps. i can't replicate it by pressing down on the car's trunk area, it only happens when i'm driving. the passenger side may rattle some, but not as badly. the car drives fine, but the noise is unsettling. does anyone have any ideas what it might be?

also, i've noticed that the car makes an awful noise when i hit deep bumps at a reasonable speed, it sounds like it is bottoming out or something. i didnt ever have that problem with the stock struts. could this be because i haven't replaced the springs? or is it the bump stop? it sounds like someone took a hammer and hit the underside of my wheel well with it really, really hard. it's a horrible noise! any ideas?

thanks for your help.
-noel

DarkMastyr · 04-03-2007, 02:05 PM

either your strut mounts are worn or you have worn end links.

thenoeltyler · 04-03-2007, 02:10 PM

the strut mounts are 4 weeks old, how can they be worn? i just replaced all 4 of them.

Hajoca · 04-03-2007, 02:17 PM

sway bar endlinks and sway bar bushings need to be checked for excessive play.

Hajoca · 04-03-2007, 02:18 PM

Then look at the control arm bushings (2 on each side). Then check trailing arm bushings.

DarkMastyr · 04-03-2007, 02:27 PM

or your springs have come out of alignment with their seats

Mendelzon · 04-04-2007, 08:12 AM

tighten the Top Hat (mount) This help my noise problem. the hat might have play in it or became lose after driving or vibration

renmike · 04-04-2007, 08:16 AM

Did you make sure that when you installed the strut mount on the strut that the notches on the underside lined up correctly with the strut? It'll let you attach and run the nut down but you'll notice a noise fairly soon if that happened. I had that happen with my front strut/strut mount. I ended up removing it and adjusting it.

What was mentioned earlier about the rest of the suspension (endlinks, control arms, etc) are good things to check as well. Like anything mechanical, problems tend to go to the weakest link when you start installing new components, especially when they are all designed to work together. good luck.

thenoeltyler · 04-04-2007, 08:33 AM

like i said, i didn't do the installation. i took it to a suspension/alignment/brakes/tire place and they did it for me. surely they'll fix it for free if it was their problem.

renmike · 04-04-2007, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenoeltyler

like i said, i didn't do the installation. i took it to a suspension/alignment/brakes/tire place and they did it for me. surely they'll fix it for free if it was their problem.

I didn't even see that when I originally read it, sorry. Well, I'd take it to the place you had it done and don't let them bs you, there are a lot of people who've had issues after installing (or having someone else install) new struts and mounts on our camry's.

keithy · 04-04-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renmike

don't let them bs you, there are a lot of people who've had issues after installing (or having someone else install) new struts and mounts on our camry's.

second that. Bring it back to have it looked at. Shops that do suspensions should back their work up. Tell them what the problem is and maybe take the mechanic for a test drive. The shop should fix it for free if it was was installation problem.