'97 Camry LE - Famous rattling noise

[bluechipbmw]

I recently purchased a '97 Camry LE with about 64k miles. The car runs pretty good but rattling sound seems to make you think the car is about to fall apart.

I did a lot of research on the internet and the board and found the problem being related to:

--Suspension noise: Noises from the front end when driving over dips in the road are a result of defective upper strut-tower cushions. (1997-98)

--Suspension noise: Groaning noise from front end when going over speed bumps etc. corrected by installing revised spring bumpers on front struts. (1997-98)

But I have come across people stating this has not fixed the problem. Can someone on the forum confirm if replacing the strut tower cushions and spring bumpers will fix the problem? Or should I replace the entire strut (Gabriel or KYB's)?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[toyomoho]

Might check the stabilizer arm bushings first, these can cause both a rattle and squeal/groan when going over bumps.

[bluechipbmw]

yep...that my was first impression as well. I should have mentioned these were recently replaced as well.

[jorallo]

hey i have an 04 and my sister has a 98 i hate the stupid factory bearings underneith the pillow box sitting ontop of the strut mount omg those things are freakn horrible buy some new one from toyota and they look nothing like the original funny huh? the old ones were small made of cheap rubber and metal the new ones look like performance parts infact i still have to replace my right side on my 04 it makes crazy noise going over all sorts of small bumps sounds like a break or strut problem but i know its that bearing cuz i replaced the other one myself and it went away

[.Camryman97.]

i have strut mounts going on my 97 camry...i only hear it when i go over bump....in the cold its a lot more noticable

the guy at the shop said that i can still drive for a while but ill need to replace them sometime in the future or i could have some big problems....so im going to replace mine when i lower my car sometime during the beginning of summer (late May or early June)

[bluechipbmw]

I guess my struts are probably going to need to be replaced in the near future so I will probably change the strut mounts and the factory bearings under the pillow box as jarallo mentioned.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by bluechipbmw

I guess my struts are probably going to need to be replaced in the near future so I will probably change the strut mounts and the factory bearings under the pillow box as jarallo mentioned.

Consider the Monroe Quick Struts. They are a 1-piece assembly consisting of a new strut, spring, strut mount and all the rubber pieces. They are almost the same amount of money as just replacing the strut and strut mount and they are less work to install, with no need to compress the old spring to dissasmble anything. Add to that the fact that you now also have new springs and all new rubber piecs. In my area, Pep Boys seems to have the best price on these.

Mike

[bluechipbmw]

Thanks for the info Mike. Do you know of anyone that may have experience with these already? Any comments or complaints?

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by bluechipbmw

Thanks for the info Mike. Do you know of anyone that may have experience with these already? Any comments or complaints?

They were a pretty easy install and I felt they were great. The ride and handling was much improved over stock. Unfortunately, the car was totaled about 5 weeks after I installed these, so I can't give any long term results.

Mike

[bluechipbmw]

OK...I bought them the other day and having them installed tomorrow morning. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the rattling goes away!