struts 1995 camry

[lightning1970]

is putting on new struts on a v6 1995 carmy a do it yourself job or better to have a shop do this work?? thanks

[WhiteRabbit]

do it yourself, if you have the basic know how and tools that is...

[lightning1970]

i think i have the know how but......my concern is will i need are tools?? and what will my biggest challenge be ie.....compressing the springs ect

[WhiteRabbit]

you will need the following tools:

22mm socket
21 mm socket
19 mm socket
13 mm socket (i think that's the size for the rear sway bar endlinks)
12 mm socket
14 mm socket (again, what i think the top nuts for the front strut mounts are)

^Basically, a standard socket set.

1/2 inch drive ratchet
36" breaker bar (you can go shorter i suppose but this make it way easier)
jack and stands
spring compressor (loan-a-tool from auto parts dealer, simple and easy to use)

[Kep]

If you do it yourself, make sure that you squeeze the spring down with the compressor completely. I thought that I had enough turns on the compressor tool and when I released the spring the spring openned up a lot. It took me close to an hour to squeeze the spring down completely alternating between a chain and the compressor tool.

Kep

[WhiteRabbit]

wow an hour?

definitely didnt take me that long, and by completely, do you mean you compressed the spring all the way down?

['_']

What places loan spring compressors? I went to an AutoZone and Kragen but I didn't see any there.

[eddie926]

Originally Posted by '_'

What places loan spring compressors? I went to an AutoZone and Kragen but I didn't see any there.

I just called my local AutoZone yesterday and they said they have them. I assume they're behind the counter since it's a loan out item. The guy said you pay them $50, keep them as long as you want, then get your money back when you return them.

['_']

I'll try calling them too. That's a good deal if you end up getting your money back.

[rdimpulser6]

You can get some cheap compressors at harborfreight for like $20. Once you learn how to do it your gonna end up doing other cars or helping someone in the future so its worth just to buy your own.

[rdimpulser6]

Expanding on Whiterabbit's reply
Front stuts
22mm socket (2 bottom bolts)
14 mm socket (top 3 bolts)
19mm (Top Strut retaining bolt, if they are stock)
12 mm socket (brake line bolt)

Rear struts
21 mm socket (2 bottom bolts)
14 mm socket (top 3 bolts)
12 mm socket (brake line bolt)
12mm for Rear sway bar brackets, just in case you decide to upgrade the swaybar at the same time.
14mm (Rear sway bracket nut)
#5 Metric allen wrench - Away bar bracket.

If you change to tokicos the top retaining nut they come with is a 22mm retaining nut, stocks are 19 flare retaining nut.