Need help please

[g35driver]

I have a 99 Camry 4 cylinder 60k miles. Recently I have been hearing some sounds when I go on bumps in the road. The sound appears to come from some where near front wheels.

I took my car to a local mechanic and he suggested replacing both rear and front struts; given me quote of about $1000.

Can anyone please tell me if it’s necessary to change both front and rear struts? Also what do you think of the $1000 quote?


Thank you.

[Mike Gerber]

The 97-99 Camrys had problems with defective upper strut mounts. Toyota has redesigned the replacements twice. If that's where the noise is coming from, you will need to change out the upper strut mounts along with the struts, since all the labor is the same. A good way to go is with the aftermarket Monroe Quick Struts. They are a new strut, spring, strut mount and all the rubber insulators in a 1-piece unit. You unbolt the old strut assemblies and bolt these new complete assemblies in their palce. They should run around $200 - $240 each side, plus installation. There are other areas up front that may be causing the rattle. The sway bar bushings and the sway bar end links are the next most likely causes of a front end rattle. Make sure to check those out before replacing the strut assemblies.

If the rear struts are still good and firm and are not making any noise (be sure the nosie you are hearing is from the front), I would leave them alone for now. If you are jsut trying to resolve the rattle issue and it definitely is coming form the front, I would replace just those parts first. You can always replace the rears later. 60,000 miles is a bit early to need rear struts based on firmess of ride, IMHO.

Mike

[gcozmo]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

A good way to go is with the aftermarket Monroe Quick Struts. They are a new strut, spring, strut mount and all the rubber insulators in a 1-piece unit. You unbolt the old strut assemblies and bolt these new complete assemblies in their palce. They should run around $200 - $240 each side, plus installation.

Mike

Has anyone on here used the "Quick Struts" and what success have they had? I was thinking about getting these and read a couple posts that said they had trouble with them.

[g35driver]

Thanks a lot Mike.

One of my back struts is leaking oil. very little though (it does not drip to the ground, I can just see some oil on it). Do you think that I need to replace my rear struts too?

-Harsha

[Mike Gerber]

If it's leaking, then yes, the rears have to be replaced too. Even though the other side (in the rear) may not be leaking, you need to replace them in pairs to keep the ride balanced.

Mike