Rebuildable struts?

[rev_rock]

I'd like to put new struts on my '93 Camry. I've seen ads for strut cartridges, but they say that they are only for rebuildable struts. How can I tell if mine are rebuildable or not. If they are, I'd have no problem doing it. I just don't want to buy the things and then find out that I've got the wrong ones. As far as I know, I've still got the original struts. I bought the car from the original owner, and she didn't say anything about ever replacing them.

Any tips?

[Unco]

from memory, the strut insert (shock absorber) part of the strut assembly is held in place by a retainer collar that can be screwed on/off.

you'll need to lift the bottom part of the dust rubber boot to see if this retainer collar is there. if it's not, then you have a sealed strut and you'll need to replace the whole strut assembly.

[rev_rock]

Thanks, I'll have to check it out!

[Tom 2000]

Camrys made in Japan had rebuildable struts from the factory. Camrys made in Kentucky had sealed struts which you have to replace the whole strut assembly. If your VIN starts with a J, then your car was made in Japan. If it starts with 1 or 4, it was made in the Kentucky (U.S.)

Only exception I have seen are SE models made in Kentucky (had rebuilable struts).

One way to check is to jack up your car and peek at the strut assy inside the spring. If you raise it high enough, you'll see the shiny rod get exposed. If you see what looks like a cap at where rod comes out of the strut housing, then you have rebuildable struts. That cap is what you unscrew to remove the strut cartridge.

[felonyr301]

Not true 95-96 models are sealed and mine is a Japan built 95 Camry. I thought 92-93 were unsealed and early 94 were unsealed and later 94 plus 95 and 96 were sealed.

[92ES5sp]

Just put KYB struts on it. Its worth it. There is no need to replace the springs unless you want a drop or they are broken (Which is unlikely, its a Camry not an Escort)

Ill be doing this on my ES 300 (which is a Camry) and the struts are servicable.

[Unco]

Originally Posted by 92ES5sp

Just put KYB struts on it. Its worth it. There is no need to replace the springs unless you want a drop or they are broken (Which is unlikely, its a Camry not an Escort)

Ill be doing this on my ES 300 (which is a Camry) and the struts are servicable.

that's not what he's talking about though.

the struts themselves (NOT the strut + spring) can be either sealed units or they could have inserts that can be replaced. rev_rock is referring to the strut inserts.