3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hi, 1994 Camry LE 2.2L I4 here. I can hear a rattling noise coming from the front left side of the car when driving at low speed on even slightly uneven roads. It's not very loud but I can hear it while driving slow with windows up and radio off. I know it can be a lot of things but what are the most common sources of that kind of noise in that particular Camry? Thanks ya all and a very happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you also. Just my I would personally do a quick visual and see if anything is out of place. I would question if you had many miles on the vehicle and if it was a drive axle. Could you maybe have someone drive your car and have a friend or someone drive you next to your car in an empty parking lot to try to figure where the noise is coming from or what it is. Just my .02 I'm not claiming to be a Toyota mechanic, These are a few of the things i would personally do.
You could possibly do a quick search and see if others have had similar experiences.
I would jack up the car, remove the tire, and check the swaybar end link on that left side. See if you can move it and duplicate the noise you are hearing. That would be the first thing I would check. I had to replace one on that side of my 98 Camry due to a noise there. I would also check the swaybar bushing on that side while the car is in the air. If it is the bushing, they have to be replaced in pairs. Many people have complained of upper strut mounts going bad, but that is usually on the early gen 4 Camrys (97-99), not the generation 3's, and if that goes bad I think you would be describing a louder clunk over big bumps.
I would jack up the car, remove the tire, and check the swaybar end link on that left side. See if you can move it and duplicate the noise you are hearing. That would be the first thing I would check. I had to replace one on that side of my 98 Camry due to a noise there. I would also check the swaybar bushing on that side while the car is in the air. If it is the bushing, they have to be replaced in pairs. Many people have complained of upper strut mounts going bad, but that is usually on the early gen 4 Camrys (97-99), not the generation 3's, and if that goes bad I think you would be describing a louder clunk over big bumps.
Mike
There's no loud clunks over bumps only faint rattles over uneven roads so it's probably not the strut mounts. Do I need to take the wheel off to check the end link? I have a pair of ramps that I use for oil changes; can't I take it on the ramps and check the end link from underneath the car? What might cause the end link to rattle? Loose nuts? Thanks much for your help.
There's no loud clunks over bumps only faint rattles over uneven roads so it's probably not the strut mounts. Do I need to take the wheel off to check the end link? I have a pair of ramps that I use for oil changes; can't I take it on the ramps and check the end link from underneath the car? What might cause the end link to rattle? Loose nuts? Thanks much for your help.
You can give it a try on the ramps. I found my defective end link with the wheels off with no load on the suspension. The end link just wears out over time and mileage and starts to come apart and rattle. The only solution is to replace it. They are an easy replacement and are not that expensive. NAPA usually carries them for around $60.
+1 on the end links and sway bushings. My 95 made the same faint rattles, replaced those parts and it's quiet now. You might want to check the ones in the rear too, mine went bad back there as well.
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1985 AW11
Past Toyota products --1989 Corolla SR5, 1995 Camry LE Coupe, 2002 MR2 Spyder, 2006 Scion xA
+1 on the end links and sway bushings. My 95 made the same faint rattles, replaced those parts and it's quiet now. You might want to check the ones in the rear too, mine went bad back there as well.
Yeah, my rear sway bar bushings squeak all the time. I occasionally spray some silicone lubricant on them which keeps the noise under control. So, about the front end noise: how do I make sure that its the end link that's causing it?
Yeah, my rear sway bar bushings squeak all the time. I occasionally spray some silicone lubricant on them which keeps the noise under control. So, about the front end noise: how do I make sure that its the end link that's causing it?
Let me quote myself from my post above:
"I would jack up the car, remove the tire, and check the swaybar end link on that left side. See if you can move it and duplicate the noise you are hearing."
"I would jack up the car, remove the tire, and check the swaybar end link on that left side. See if you can move it and duplicate the noise you are hearing."
Mike
Hi Mike,
I tried that the first time around! The end link is that small dog-bone like piece going between the sway bar and the wheel, correct? I tried shaking it but it seemed pretty solid and didn't make any noise. I'll try tightening the end link nuts next time I have the car jacked up. Thanks for your help.
OK, two weird sources. The dust cover behind the brake caliper can get loose. The cotter pin holding the axle nut in place can get loose and flip-flop at low speeds. Both can make an irritating noise.
Kep
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Often, it's the loose screw between the steering wheel and the driver's seat that needs to be fixed first!
Okay, so I think I've found the source of the rattle. That shaft right there by the front left tire has a little play (about a couple of millimeters) to it and when I shook it in and out it made a similar rattling noise inside that boot.
That is the CVC joint of the axle. When they begin to go bad they chatter. It is usually most noticable when you turn hard left or right. It will get louder and more frequent as it degrades. It will probably last many more months if you need to put off the repair but it will need to be replaced if it is indeed the CVC joint.
Kep
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Often, it's the loose screw between the steering wheel and the driver's seat that needs to be fixed first!
That is the CVC joint of the axle. When they begin to go bad they chatter. It is usually most noticable when you turn hard left or right. It will get louder and more frequent as it degrades. It will probably last many more months if you need to put off the repair but it will need to be replaced if it is indeed the CVC joint.
Kep
It doesn't make any noise while turning left or right; only rattles while going slowly over small bumps. I didn't notice any leaks or breaks on the cv boot either. Are there any nuts that might have gone loose to cause that play in that shaft?
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