Suspension Suggestions

[psyclemania]

Looking for suggestions/input. It all started with the all-too-familiar 'klunk' I think we all know. Got me thinking about under my car. See my sig for my ride. I am assuming that 'klunk' is sway bushings/end links. Klunk showed up in the rear, and now I hear it in the front too. I'm at 137K and thinking it's time to spend a little time and money down there. Do the sway bushings/links, and then thought maybe it's time for struts all around too. Besides the 'klunk' I really dont have suspension issue.

Questions:

1. Struts. Replace just because it's time? I dont see leakage. What to use? Monroe gas? OEM? McAutoParts generic? Some performance aftermarket? I am not looking to hop this thing up or anything, and generally drive gently. I am fine with Camry's infamous soft ride. I look for value - quality, performance, longevity rather than wow factor.

2. Strut mounts. I see them for sale, I see people talking about replacing them. Replace 'just because' I'm doing the struts?

3. Sway stuff. This kit: http://www.autozone.com/R,APP458995/...ductDetail.htm Is this a whole bushing/endlink kit? Are these better/worse than the standard rubber ones, those things are way cheap.

4. Sway link. Worth replacing?

5. Wheel bearings. Replace them since I have everything apart anyway? The other part of the puzzle is, I believe I have to replace my left side drive shaft as I have a vibration at highway speeds that wasnt resolved with re-balancing. The CV has a tiny bit of play on that side. So I will have that apart anyway. What do you guys get out of wheel bearings? What do you think of the vibration?

6. Do both drive shafts? One is going right behind the other?

7. Do some/all this and get a 4 wheel alignment?

I know that a whole bunch of questions, but I wanted them all in one thread as there is overlap with all these issues, rather than have a load of separate threads and trying to keep track. I bought this car in 2002 with about 40K on it. Before this I had a 89 Gen2 Camry and before that a 77 celica hatchback. All 5sp's. Looks like I get a new Toy every 10 years, Toyota has ahold of me. I appreciate all your input!

[dorifuto.boi]

1.
a) Repace because its time ? That depends on you and your driving habits. When I replaced mine at 200k, they were still very good. Of course the roads where I live is not bad at all. If you wait until it goes, it may not be unsafe for those last few days of your suspension's life.
b) What to use ? You said you wanted a gentle ride. OEM uses KYB branded struts. You can replace your struts with KYB struts (not the KYB GR2). Also you will need to find a set of good springs too. (Any input ?) Can't help yout here because I use tokico struts and intrax lowering springs and thats not gentle at all.

2. Replace mounts just cause your doing struts ? yes

3. That is only the two bushings for your rear stock sway bar. Its better than stock.

4. Sway bar end links seem to always mess up when you unbolt one end off the strut to replace your strut. I'll wait to replace these after you've done your struts if you start to get clunking noises.

5.
6.

7. If you take unbolt the struts, you'll have to get an alignment once you put struts back in.

[Kevs Toy]

Shit man, you got a 5 speed v6, go a lil better in the handling dept. Tokico struts with some eibach springs and oe toyota strut mounts. Shouldnt be too harsh of a ride and def. noticeable improvement. How the TRD RSB is worth the $$. I put one on and the car drives so much better and no decrease in ride quality and I'm on the track setting.

[bigbird]

eibachs and tokicos would be a very stiff ride. thats about the stiffest setup u can find short of coilovers. i agree with the TRD RSB. definatly worth the money even on stock suspension. it will reduce body roll through tight turns and quick lane changes.

unless ur gonna go upgraded suspension, get toyota OEM. though KYB GR2 shocks are pretty good, close to stock with a little more control and slightly stiffer ride.

id definatly replace the strut mounts and if the sway bar links look worn then yeah replace them too.

keep an eye on the events section, we just had a meet today in Rockville and plan on doin it again this spring.

[psyclemania]

I have been doing alot of reading here lately, lots of input to process. Spent some time poking around the suspension trying to figure it all out. My real goal is to get rid of that klonking sound on bumps, sheesh that drives me mad.
I'm leaning towards the KYB GR2's as sounds just a touch more control and stiffness. Sounds like I need the strut mounts too, but go to the dealer for that? Not the KYB ones from tirerack?

Springs - Replace them? Huh? why? Never really thought about that. Do they actually wear out? The rear does have a little sag to it.

TRD - RSB I take it that is Toyota Racing Design Rear Sway Bar? Is that a dealer order, or bought somewhere else?

Originally Posted by bigbird

keep an eye on the events section, we just had a meet today in Rockville and plan on doin it again this spring.

Dang. Wish I knew, I would have gone. I'm in Frederick. Could have even sent my son, he loves my car and wants me to give it to him. It's a nice car. I dont know how rare a 99 V6 5sp is, but mechanics keep swearing they never seen such a thing.

[rebel8ball]

here is what i plan to get around new years... http://www.rms-usa.com/product_p/tok-hpk353.htm best price i have found so far on shocks and sprins, and better then some prices on just the shocks!

[bigbird]

the strut mounds get from toyota. only replace the springs if they are worn or u want to upgrade. now me personally, if i were goin to go through the trouble to install new shocks id prolly replace the springs too since they have to come off anyways and gettin them off is a pain.

where is the clunk comin from, front or back?

the gen4 (97-01) V6 5speed is very rare. and its much sportier then the auto. that was a nice find.

['00 V-6 Camry]

hey guys i have a question i went to racing labs and set up tokico struts with eibach springs and a jic strut bar. I have a 2000 5-speed v-6, the strut bar is for a 97 02 solara. i know there isn't a 97 solara, so that should work for my ride right. is this a good set up because i don't want to buy it with out a lil approval.does this look good you can click on the pic to see it.

[darksparkz]

It is about time to replace struts for you, I recommend KYB struts if you want to maintain OEM quality with slighter better performance. But Tokico Blue struts would be the best in terms of performance struts for our Camrys.

While replacing struts, it's typically recommended to do springs as well, not only because of the labor saved, but also because of OEM springs sagging over time. You can replace with Eibach Lowering Springs, or just OEM is fine.

For most of the other suspension components, such as end links and bushings and strut mounts, you should go with OEM parts of course. While replacing struts, you should get some OEM strut mounts as well, that is infamous for causing the 'clunking' noises, but not 100% guarantee to solve it.

Wheel bearings are only worth replacing if they are loose or if they cause vibration due to that losseness. But I'd ask a mechanic to jack up the car and they can usually check all the bearings fairly quickly.



As for the sway bar, I'd recommend Whiteline products for the rear sway bar, if not, the TRD one works well too.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by '00 V-6 Camry

hey guys i have a question i went to racing labs and set up tokico struts with eibach springs and a jic strut bar. I have a 2000 5-speed v-6, the strut bar is for a 97 02 solara. i know there isn't a 97 solara, so that should work for my ride right. is this a good set up because i don't want to buy it with out a lil approval.does this look good you can click on the pic to see it.

thats prolly teh best combo u can get, great springs and shocks and teh sway bar will do nearly nothing but it will look cool. i HIGHLY suggest the TRD or Whiteline RSB(rear sway bar) as well. u will truly be cheating yourself if u leave out that little gem.