What's the worst that could happen? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

masonm · 04-30-2009, 11:09 PM

I need to change my rear struts on my '92 Camry. I am cheap and don't mind the rough ride. What is worst case scenario if I wait to infinity to replace them...can anything REALLY BAD happen?

Mike Gerber · 04-30-2009, 11:26 PM

The rear tires will become cupped. This is caused by the rear end bouncing due to the worn out rear struts. The handling will also suffer, and this could be a safety problem in emergency manuvering.

Mike

timothyl2184 · 04-30-2009, 11:26 PM

In my own experience, this is what I've had happen on my 96 that needed them replaced:
-The rear tires wore out faster because the rear end would bottom out and the tires would scrub the wheel wells.
-Whenever anyone was in the back the muffler would scrape the road on even the smallest bumps. And not to mention the horrible sound the car made whenever the car slammed into it's rear bump stops.
- Sometimes, particularly when cresting a hill at average speed (45+) or coming off a hill and going back up another, the sudden weight transfer would make the back end break traction and it would fishtail a little. Nothing crazy, but enough to get your heart going and to potentially be a bad situation.

All in all, I put about 20,000miles on before they were replaced. I was cheap too ;-) Hope this helps.

JustAnotherAsian · 05-01-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

The rear tires will become cupped. This is caused by the rear end bouncing due to the worn out rear struts. The handling will also suffer, and this could be a safety problem in emergency manuvering.

Mike

^bingo. i'm replacing the worn struts soon (with coilovers), and putting it off for quite a while resulted in a cupped rear-left tire. i rotated backs-to-fronts and it took a whopping two months for the cupped tire to wear to normal. but then again, the tire i put back there is probably cupped by now as well anyways. eh.

cupped tires are annoying, but not dangerous.

blown shocks, on the other hand, can lead to problems when handling at the limit or during sudden stops.

asphalt victory · 05-01-2009, 01:02 AM

dude struts are easy and cheep

bigbird · 05-01-2009, 04:18 AM

What's the worst that could happen?.......you may die.

Dave's · 05-01-2009, 09:44 AM

Find yourself making an emergency lane change. The rear end started swinging uncontrollably due to the roll (which actually jerked the car sideways after I had it straightened out, repeatedly). Wasn't pretty. And that was at 30 MPH. On the highway, forget it! (I had Gen 3's but hadn't driven this one- however I knew what it was when it happened.)

***PhatRoyale*** · 05-01-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbird

What's the worst that could happen?.......you may die.

pretty much said it right there

JCamry94 · 05-01-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbird

What's the worst that could happen?.......you may die.

Let's get this out in the open as the most honest answer

masonm · 05-01-2009, 09:36 PM

This forum is great! Is is just me or do Camry drivers share the same type of thinking and/or sense of humor. You guys are awesome!

***96paseo*** · 05-01-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave's

Find yourself making an emergency lane change. The rear end started swinging uncontrollably due to the roll (which actually jerked the car sideways after I had it straightened out, repeatedly). Wasn't pretty. And that was at 30 MPH. On the highway, forget it! (I had Gen 3's but hadn't driven this one- however I knew what it was when it happened.)

X2

I had a blown RR shock in my paseo a while back. Hit a pothole on Rte. 80 at 65 mph and almost went off the highway. Just about shit my pants.