99 camry strut mount?

[LMT]

I've got the clunking sound from the front end in my 99 Camry (4 cyl.)...similar problem described in other posts. So I'm guessing that it may be the strut mounts.

Here's my question. Do I need to get these replaced? I don't mind the noise, but I obviously don't want to ride in an unsafe vehicle. I haven't taken the car to anyone yet, but I probably will have my local dealership look at it in a few days.

If they say the strut mounts do need to be replaced, what would a reasonable price range be for this work? I'm in Northern Virginia, so repair costs in general aren't cheap. I want to be as informed as possible before I take it in (and no, I'm not comfortable doing this myself).

Thanks for any input you have.

[bcsbadboys]

I have the same problem in my '97. I'm not concerned about safety, but I'd like to know if worn mounts can cause premature tire wear, etc.

I was looking at the Quick Struts from Monroe, but quality issues and the increase in price have me looking elsewhere. I may just buy new struts and mounts and use the spring compressor to install myself. Not easy, but I'm confident I can do it.

Taking it to a shop I'd guess you're looking at $500-1000 depending on what you do. It's mostly labor. Maybe others can give you a better idea.

[redgtxdi]

First let me just.........

I have been to the brink of strut hell and back!!


Monroe Quickstrut problems???? What problems???

Now, to get serious..........Yes, it's probably your mounts.

#1.) Toyota supposedly has a revised version of the mount. (I say OEM all the way!!!)

#2.) It's hard to not change out everything while you're in there. Mounts lead to struts. Struts lead to rubbers. Rubbers lead to springs (?)......and thus the Monroe Quickstrut starts looking like a pretty awesome solution!!!

#3.) My local Big O Tires (works on our work trucks) suggested approx $700 for a total strut job. (I'm assuming struts, mounts, labor and a few miscellaneous rubbers if they couldn't be reused)

#4.) From $700, I am also looking at a biz card from the local Toyota stealership which looked like this...........

Fronts -------- $157.00 x 2 = $314.00
Rears -------- $199.00 x 2 = $400.00
Labor @ $282/axle = $564.00

Total = $1278 + tax and then $89.95 for alignment = $1360!!!!!!!!

No.........I'm not kidding!! Can you imagine if that doesn't include anything but the STRUTS?????

Anyway..........it's a party!! I'd love to do it all over again but...........oh wait..........I did do it twice!! That's right............E-I-G-H-T- struts!!!!

Maybe I should make that my new name!! 8-struts!

[Eye8Pussies]

it's something that's easily do-able by somebody at home with some mechanical knowledge or time on their hands and another car to drive to work (for the inexperienced)

as for safety, no it's not a safety issue in general. but a visual inspection will let you know if it's to the point where it's unsafe or not- if the strut isn't even sitting straight anymore, then you've got a safety issue. if it's just making noise, then you can choose to leave it.

[ONE_to_HATE]

Be wise and shop around- i got my GR2s and H-techs + mounts for 550. There were some cheaper performance springs i coulda gone with but i went for the h-techs anyway.

Also; I was referred to a guy who does work on a side by a friend of mine who charged me $160 for the install. Prior to that; i found one on the local craigslist for $200. BUT be sure you get everything all at once so its an entire overhaul.

goodluck!

[redgtxdi]

Originally Posted by ONE_to_HATE

Be wise and shop around- i got my GR2s and H-techs + mounts for 550. There were some cheaper performance springs i coulda gone with but i went for the h-techs anyway.

Also; I was referred to a guy who does work on a side by a friend of mine who charged me $160 for the install. Prior to that; i found one on the local craigslist for $200. BUT be sure you get everything all at once so its an entire overhaul.

Hey, 12H8 .......Curious as to whose mounts you used???

And while I'm not up on the 'lowering scene' these days, I was wondering how you like your H-techs. (I looked on the Tein website & it looks like there's HTech, STech and coilovers, but looks like HTech's the most conservative in terms of lowering).

Does anybody even make stock height springs aside from replacement OEM's or something like Quickstrut?????

TIA