'97 Camry suspension noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

gcozmo · 01-31-2009, 03:59 PM

Hello to all of you Camry owners on here. I am a NEWBY so be gentle please. I have done a little research on the forum into the front end noises and they were a little unclear to me, so here it goes.
I have a '97 Camry with the 4 cyl. auto. with 106K miles on the clock that I purchased from the family and I know all it's history since new. I have an issue with the front suspension as it tends to rattle ALOT the colder it is outside. I have done a little checking underneath while I was replacing the axle boots and didn't really see anything in the way of bushing that were bad. I am assuming it is struts but unsure about that as well. Any help or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated, Thanks.

chesstompowell · 01-31-2009, 06:03 PM

Thousands of Gen 4 owners including myself have the same problem. I'm afraid you're going to have to live with the rattling. From what I've read from others, it's a manufacturing defect and many have even gone through the expense and hassle of having their struts replaced to no avail. Don't worry though. There's nothing unsafe going on with the rattling. It's just annoying. I drive with it every day and have gotten use to it.

ONE_to_HATE · 01-31-2009, 06:36 PM

that rattling noise is from the strut mount's bearing housing moving around inside the worn mounts. when i overhauled my entire suspension- it went away.

gcozmo · 01-31-2009, 07:30 PM

If it is the struts then what is a good route to go? I was looking at the Monroe complete strut but not sure if they are that good and I really don't want to take them apart when you can change the whole thing and be done with it. I saw a couple things that said they were actually cheap made and didn't last. I also saw something about going back to Toyota for OEM ones but they are very expensive. Any ideas or past experiences from anyone who has changed theirs, other than performance style?

***new echo owner*** · 01-31-2009, 09:10 PM

It is the upper mounts for the struts, there is a TSB from Toyota concerning this. They make a clanking type sound going over bumps, and may not make any noise after the vehicle warms up.

N.E.O.

gcozmo · 02-01-2009, 12:36 PM

Thanks for the response!!

Who has the BEST replacement STOCK struts out there?? I would like to get the complete strut assem. so I don't have to be down very long. I think that I will call the local Toyota Dealership tomorrow and get a price on what they offer.

***new echo owner*** · 02-01-2009, 11:30 PM

Don't believe Toyota offer complete assemblies of the struts, so if you are going that route, you will need to get individual items and assemble them. There was a thread not to long ago discussing about complete assembly from aftermarket companies, maybe doing a search of the Camry forum will provide you with more information. Other members might also chime in with more suggestions too.

N.E.O.

98trdcamry · 02-02-2009, 09:54 AM

go whith kyb gr2 struts and while ur at it change the stabalizer bar links if they have play in them

gcozmo · 02-16-2009, 09:42 AM

I replaced the sway bar bushings with Moog and the end links with TRW and both items were much stronger looking than the OEM ones that I removed. Replacing these 2 things has reduced the noise in the front but not all the way. I am picking up the Monroe Complete Strut assembly this afternoon and will see what the results of this is going to be. Hopefully it will quiet it down all the way.

gcozmo · 02-16-2009, 03:41 PM

The verdict is in. I have replaced the front struts with the Monroe Quick Struts and after driving down a bumpy road and over railroad tracks, there was absolutely NO noise what so ever. The struts fit perfectly and it only took about an 1 1/2 hours to change them both. I guess time will tell just how good they will last but I am extremely happy right now.

***new echo owner*** · 02-16-2009, 10:41 PM

Glad to hear that! Let us know how they handle comparing to the originals!

N.E.O.