Shop: $917 for struts. What do I really need?

[arlo]

1997 Camry, V6, 155,XXX miles. Original Struts.
I got some new tires last week and the shop offered a free suspension check. I said sure and go ahead and align it for $60. They came back saying that they wouldn't align it because if they did, the poor struts would make it fall back out of alignment anyways. They said that a past owner had replaced one of the front linkage bars, which probably broke because of the poor strut. I knew something was up since I have a clanking sound from the front when I hit any bumps. Oddly enough, this seems to be only when it has been raining (!??)

They quoted me $917 for 4 struts, 2 front plates, alignment, and labor.

I saw on tirerack.com they I can buy the 4 KYB GR-2struts for ~$300 shipped.

My question is what all do I need to replace in order to make it a good job? I imagine I borrow a spring compressor from autozone and install the current springs on the new struts, and bolt on. Do I need the new plates they suggested for the front? They claimed that customers before had opted out of the plates, only to be back weeks later with problems. What about bushings or linkage?
Thanks!

[ASG14]

I have no idea what a plate is........

4 new struts
4 new strut mounts
2 new front strut mount bearings
possibly (if they are rusted on) 4 new sway bar links.

[Heat]

Just to throw out a price, my mom spent about $900 on four new struts for her (now my) '95 LE, plus replacing a ripped boot.

I have no idea what it takes to do the job yourself.

[arlo]

I understood the "plate" to be the piece on top of the strut that bolts to the frame. Is this the mount you mentioned?

[arlo]

Wow $65 each mount and $50 for each bearing, that brings my total to $650! Or do the mounts include the bearing? Also, whats the difference between
front: SM5485 ($19) and front left/right: SM5180/SM5179 ($65)
At tirerack

[Mike Gerber]

If you are going to do this job yourself or have it done, consider the Monroe Quick Struts. They are a 1-piece strut, strut mount, spring, and all the rubber pieces. Just unbolt the old strut assemblies and bolt these Quick Struts in. No need to fool with compressing the springs and everything is now new. The springs on my 98 Camry were very worn at 100,000 miles. Do a search on this site for "Quick Struts". Incidently, the 97-99 Camrys had problems with the upper strut mounts. They were a known trouble area on these cars. They were redesigned for the 2000 and 2001 models of this generation Camry.

Mike

[wtftoy]

I spent around ~1000 for tokico hps, eibach springs, all strut mounts, new endlinks, and a trd rear sway bar. And this was doing it myself.

Thinking about it, I should've gotten ksport but that's probably coming during summer because my gf just picked up another camry and I'll probably give her my current suspension.

[ghettosled]

i need struts as well and priced them at napa. each front strut was $77, front mount $89, rear strut $67.50, and rear mount $41.47. grand total of $550. im still in shock over the price of the front mounts. im debating on not replacing them, but i would not be happy to re-assemble everything to discover i need to take it all apart to replace the old mounts.

[wtftoy]

^Just letting you know, I bought front strut mounts from some places that claimed that it was the newest revision that toyota sells (which solved the clunking sound) BUT they weren't. I regret not buying the front strut mounts straight from the dealer because a few days afterward, the mounts were dead. I still haven't replace them because its expensive!

Reggie (from ackerman toyota) quoted me this.

front mounts $60.29 ea + tax...in stock

bearings $26.43 ea + tax....have to order

So $120.58 for the mounts and bearings are $52.86. Total of $173.44 without tax, and that's just for the strut mounts.

[JohnGD]

The bearing may be repacked unless they came apart and you lost a bearing. But given the little difference in the Spicer w/ or w/o bearing prices, just get one with a new bearing for about $57 + shipping:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1032275

The rubber spring seats may be worn. So be prepared to change it after inspection. Like others said, The QuickStrut is probably the most time and cost effective way to change it out. Although I much prefer the Gabriel Ultra struts.

I personally don't care for "Keep Your Bilsteins" (aka KYB). They feel like old-time progressive-dampened struts that's not worth the time to look at.

Originally Posted by arlo

Wow $65 each mount and $50 for each bearing, that brings my total to $650! Or do the mounts include the bearing? Also, whats the difference between
front: SM5485 ($19) and front left/right: SM5180/SM5179 ($65)
At tirerack

[arlo]

This noise is still only happening when it is raining or wet outside!.... any ideas on this stumper??

[93v6camry]

900 dollars for used struts? sounds like you got ripped off.. u could get coilovers with that money..

[93v6camry]

wth is a plate?

[jayrguidaben]

Originally Posted by 93v6camry

900 dollars for used struts? sounds like you got ripped off.. u could get coilovers with that money..

Originally Posted by 93v6camry

wth is a plate?

no body said $900 used struts. $900+ is for new struts, aligned, new strut mounts and installed.
plate is strut mounts that the op is referring to.