Need help/tips (95 Camry repairs)

[starchland]

Hey guys, I found this resource, seems like a great site for Toyota. Now Im planning on doing some work on my buddys 95 camry V6. I will be doing the rear valve cover gasket and installing shocks and springs (KYB Gr2 and Vogtland lowering springs). Now im used to working on hondas, And was wondering is there anything that is different or I should watch out for when installing these springs. and if there are any resources that would help me complete my valve cover gasket and lowering spring install that would be great. Cheers!

[eyeball96]

http://www.**********s.com/camry/

U can down load all the stuff u need to know at the above link!!

[starchland]

thanks i was also wondering if installing the shocks/springs will require a spring compressor? and is it a pretty standard install?

[eyeball96]

Can't help ya with that question, but my mechanic said the rears were a PIA...keep bumpin this thread, and I'm sure someone whos done it, will help ya!

[starchland]

ok thx.

The manual says that to replace the valve cover gasket the coolant has to be drained, anyone know if this is necessary?

[eyeball96]

Now I can answer that!! I watched my mechanic replace my VC gaskets, and we loss some coolant, but didn't drain it..just replaced what we lost with toyota red coolant!!

[starchland]

excellent, good to know. any other tips for the VC gasket? and what kind of sealant should I use?

[eyeball96]

Try a search..that may help ya!!

[starchland]

ok thanks

[95WhiteCamry]

hey man.

i installed kyb with vogtland on my coupe recently and loved the ride. very smooth but the drop isn't much.

anyway, replacing struts and springs is not too much. it was hard for me since it was my first time doing it but get a buddy to help ya. power tools will save you a lot of headache. and make sure you get the correct sockets!

all strut bolts (in the center of the mount) are 19mm. the front knuckle botls that connect to the struts are 22mm. the rear strut knuckle bolts are 19mm for some reason. the rear right knuckle bolts will require the use of an extension to get to with a torque wrench.

also, when working on just the fornt or just the rear, make sure the whole front or the whole rear is lifted. if you lift only the corner that you work on, it won't work (learned form my own mistakes). and otherwise, it will help if someone holds the assemblies for you while you mess around with them. shouldn't take too long, and good luck!

[starchland]

thanks dude, the drop sounds perfect its for my buddy and he doesnt need much , just hope he doesnt need a camber kit.

[95WhiteCamry]

no camber kit needed at all. you will need to do an alignment though.

oh and spring compressors will help, trust me

[92ES5sp]

Originally Posted by starchland

excellent, good to know. any other tips for the VC gasket? and what kind of sealant should I use?

3M weatherstrip adhesive. And yes draining the coolant is not mandatory, just add whatever you lost and bleed it. You might as well change spark plugs while youre in there