'97 Camry: $3200 for 4 struts? DIY ??

[dave52]

Toyota said I need struts: front bad, back leaking. All original at 212,000 miles. From Toyota dealer $2200 sounded a little reasonable. On the way home I found a shop advertising 25% off struts/shocks: however his written quote for 4 quick strut assemblies and labor was $3015.79. I asked for price justification. I called NAPA and they have the Quick struts for $227; $219 for rears. I asked for a mechanic reference and they turned me to a shop that would charge $80 per strut install if I brought NAPA struts. Car have to be aligned after atruts?

I'm considering trying this myself. The manual talks of cautiously punching out the bottom bolts on the strut and removing top three nuts/bolts. Any special tools needed and I assume there is no nasty spring action to contend with? After 3 top nuts released is it just a matter of maneuvering it out of the wheel well? Do the Quick Strut assemblies have everything needed?

I've always had good luck with NAPA but if anyone can suggest a cheaper alternative....

Thanks
Dave

[flyeri]

Are you buying a NAPA strut or a brand such as Monroe sold by NAPA? That is indeed a better price than you had. Will the mechanic remove and replace at no charge a bad one in off chance you get a bad one. With the quick struts it is not too bad of a job. Some will say you do not need an alignment but I would get one. I have done this job on a car with a good alignment and when I had it checked it was indeed in need of some adjustment. It will probably drive ok but a trip to the alignment shop is good insurance.

[dave52]

I think it's a NAPA strut. Just trying to come up with less expensive alternatives vs thousands $$$. I see Amazon has Monroe's for $170 frnt with free shipping. Think I'll take a wheel off tonight and see if this is something I want to try. I don't know if Monroe is good or are there "generics" almost as good for less $$.
If I understood the mechanic, he would remove/replace strut; $80 per unit... which seems reasonable to me. EXCELLENT points though; will have to firm up the situation $$ if I chose not to do this myself.

Thanks for the help flyeri

[davemac2]

$3K sounds like an extreme rip-off to me for quik struts. That's like $1800 profit! Even the dealer quote of $2200 sound excessive to me even if you assume a $120 labor rate. Real labor for an efficient mechanic should not be more than 2hrs for 4 quik-struts, but I don't know what the book rate is for all 4 struts. It sounds like the last guy you mentioned is charging you a book rate for typical strut replacement using a spring compressor. Ask him to do it for the same price for normal struts if you bring the struts to him. Go to Les Schwab or Firestone and see what they will charge.

dave mc

[Zviator]

for that much $ u can go air bag ur ride buddy ...

[projektvertx]

3K is a rip off for struts. I purchased both rear struts from autozone (monroe brand) for something like 400$ 3 years ago. I actually chose to employ a friend's skills (same guy I always employ for heavy duty work that I'm too lazy to do), he happens to be a certified toyota tech and he charged me 160$ for install. Did it in his off time... He did my timing belt for 50$, which is ridiculously low, but that's a whole other topic... Long stoy short, he owed me that favor hehe As far as the quick struts go, I think they would cut your install time by A LOT. It took my guy roughly 3.5 hours to finish the whole job on both side, I'm not too sure about their springs thought, I can't really vouch for 'em. If they seem like they are in good shape, keep em'. This might be the time to look into an upgrade!! I sure as hell wish I had back in the day...

[DarkMastyr]

Give me $3200 and I'll replace your struts, with enough left over to get a hooker (or two! at the same time!).

[BMR]

Dave52, here's a couple of links to DIY threads on this board showing how to replace the front and rear struts. They ought to help you decide if you're up to the job.

Rear strut replacement

Front stru replacement

Those are for Gen 3 Camrys. Your '97 is a Gen 4, but I doubt it's a whole lot different. If you get the "quick struts", you don't have to deal with compressing the springs. Just pull the entire strut assembly out and swap in the new.

[JohnGD]

$2200+ is a joke.

NAPA relabels many parts. They have a few tiers for buyers of varying budgets. Heavy things with warranty are best dealt with locally. The prices you mentioned are reasonable ($170 QS, $80 per corner install, although some places might do them $60). You should get a four-wheel alignment afterwards.

The QuickStruts are complete assemblies and are basically in-and-out. I'd use a torque wrench to tighten down the mount bolts. If they'are loose they can squeak.

Originally Posted by dave52

I think it's a NAPA strut. Just trying to come up with less expensive alternatives vs thousands $$$. I see Amazon has Monroe's for $170 frnt with free shipping. Think I'll take a wheel off tonight and see if this is something I want to try. I don't know if Monroe is good or are there "generics" almost as good for less $$.
If I understood the mechanic, he would remove/replace strut; $80 per unit... which seems reasonable to me. EXCELLENT points though; will have to firm up the situation $$ if I chose not to do this myself.

Thanks for the help flyeri

[Tom 2000]

I just changed all 4 struts on my 2000 Camry last week.

I bought 4 KYB GR-2 Struts from eBay for $260 shipped.
I bought the parts listed below from WorldWideToyotaParts.com (All Genuine Toyota Parts). It came out to around $250 including shipping.

- Front Strut Mounts $60.66 each X 2
- Front Susp Upper Spring Insulator $14.02 each X 2
- Front Susp Lower Spring Insulator $14.60 each X 2
- Rear Susp Lower Spring Insulator $14.60 each X2
- Front Sway Bar Bushings $7.80 each X 2
- Rear Sway Bar Bushings $7.42 each X2

I replaced the struts in my garage. Spring Compressor, Torque Wrench and a Vice are the only special tools I used.
I reused the bearings, upper insulator for the rears and obviously the 4 springs, My sway bar end links were fine so I reused them as well.

I paid $80 for a 4-wheel alignment at the local Les Schwab Tire Center. Before the alignment, the car still drove straight, even after I changed the struts. Caster and Camber were still good, but the toe was off on all 4 corners.

Around $600 total in the end.

You can save a lot of money doing it yourself.

[MIC0417]

LMAO, no wonder toyota thinks they can justify like 8G's for a new 22R-E.

That's them just full of shit. Do it yourself, you will need a spring compressor though and really an impact wrench.

[masonm]

Just did mine on a 1992 Camry last week. Bought four Monroe Quickstruts for $632 total ( I did not want to risk breaking my jaw when the compression spring broke loose) and did it myself. I am a TOTAL NOVICE and it took me 45 minutes per wheel. This is about as easy as changing your spark plugs, wires and rotor. No kidding! Reply if you have any questions.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by masonm

Just did mine on a 1992 Camry last week. Bought four Monroe Quickstruts for $632 total ( I did not want to risk breaking my jaw when the compression spring broke loose) and did it myself. I am a TOTAL NOVICE and it took me 45 minutes per wheel. This is about as easy as changing your spark plugs, wires and rotor. No kidding! Reply if you have any questions.

Hehe yeah I know a guy who didn't properly clamp the spring. Let's just say that he never did find it...

[angel_rolla]

hey just a heads up. there's a set of suspension on for sale section. brand new KYB gr2. i believe it's complete set with lowering spring. i was going to buy that but decided to go tokico. anyways, you can use your spring if you don't want the lowering spring. pm ADAMS

[Quattrovalvole]

Guys

Here in Costa Rica I paid less than $500 for the 4 struts Gabriel as a matter of fact. So I see that too high