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.
I will start from the beginning and help would hugely be appreciated! First off I have a 1998 Toyota Camry with just about 159,000 miles. The car was bought passed from a family member, and the car was bought brand new, so I know the history. About 7 months ago I was eating front tires up like crazy. The struts were original to the car and had them done at about 156,000 miles. I have a very trust-worthy mechanic and he suggested I have them done, and this would eliminate the problem with eating tires up. It fixed the problem perfectly! The tire wear is now evenly.
Up until having the struts replaced I never had any noises from the front-end. Right after I had the struts done I was getting a rattling noise when I hit the slightest little bump on the road, not even big bumps. I took the car in and My mechanic said I needed new Sway Bar Links.I had those done and Perfect no more rattle. I still knew I needed the front Sway Bar Bushings done, haven't gotten to those as of yet. Within the past month however, when I turn the wheel to make a right turn, I get like a Clunk noise on the Drivers Side. I had my mechanic look at it, he inspected the front end and was puzzled as to what the problem was, I also had My brother-in-law (EX-MECHANIC) look at it and to no avail he said the same. Nothing was loose, everything was fine to what they seen. Within the past week though. Turning both ways right and left I have been getting a Dull creaking and clunky kind of noise at low speeds backing up and slowing down for a light or stop sign etc. Or even driving at like 15-20 mph. Could this be the front sway bar bushings needing now to be done for sure, they have just reached the end of there rope. When I had the struts done I did not have the bearing plates done with it. Could it be that? I just want to make sure it is not a safety issue, because I have an 8 year old daughter that drives in the car, and I drive on a Parkway a lot at higher speeds and don't want anything snapping while I drive. The car has treated me good over the years, I am sure with a car that old and with that kind of mileage your sure to get creaks like old bones, I mean they are like humans. I am having the car looked at in a couple days, and would like some input, maybe someone who has had this experience and has gotten it fixed with success. I would like to have a pretty accurate idea as to what this could be! I need the car and have probably dropped book value into it already and it is getting nerve racking. Help would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Thanks for the reply. Thats what I have been hearing it was. My mechanic did suggest that, but when it comes to car repairs, your pockets only run so deep. I told him I would hold off for the time being. Like I said in my post I have already dropped book into the car and I am getting very apprehensive on dumping anymore money into the thing aside from you usual expenses i.e brakes, tires etc. So in your opinion it is not anything of a safety issue, it just a pain in the ass to hear the noise. But your pretty sure thats what the noise is? What about the Sway Bar bushings?
Well that alleviates a lot of tension, about it being a safety issue. So pretty much if I get the Bearing plates done, the clunking and creaking when turning and going slower speeds will go away? It seems when the car shifts it makes the noise and as I said I haven't had the plates done as of yet. I didn't know they could make that much noise if not replaced when you put new struts on! I will get it done, but my main thing is I don't want to drop the money on that and I still have the noise. My chances are how good percent wise of all of that noise going away?
Good that you actually brought that up. I noticed if I am stopped and I have the car in drive, if I turn the whell left and right rapidly, I do hear a clicky type noise. The clunky noises I describe are when I am making turns driving the car and when the car moves, so it's a mixture of both but at two different instances. This is what is aggravating because it now seems like two problems are going on. Just recently it started doing it turning while moving in both directions. Now it seems like I am having axle problems and now we are talikng CV joints and all that other crap. Seems to be a pricey situation!
seeing as how this problem happened to you a long time ago, would you mind letting me know what got resolved, i get the same clunking noise if i turn right, usually a sharp right and the struts or bearings w/e are driving me crazy i got those fixed a couple of months ago but the noise decided to comeback btw i also have a high mileage 98 camry 170000. trying to squeeze some more mileage out of it lol
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